my nature park … my walking meditation …
always done without hesitation …
sometimes fast … sometimes slow …
since there’s no other place to go …
watching squirrels … watching birds …
I’ve become a nature nerd …
š
Sure, I won’t win a medal for speed-walking at the park these days,
but every time I go there and do my thing I come home happier and also feeling healthier.
Sunshine and fresh air have that effect on me.
The slow pace of walking, listening, observing and yes, photographing
has helped me deal with the stress from the effects of the pandemic and the political turmoil.
Every time I visit the park I find many moments that make me smile.
What makes you smile?
š
in cahoots with muddy boots 
The squirrels look very well fed! Nature makes me smile too. I enjoy walking but I find I still have to make myself go out, especially in the winter.
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The squirrels do look well fed! I think theyāre pretty healthy as I always see them nibbling on natural food like apples and berries. Iāve never seen anyone feed them at the park. When the weather gets bad here I donāt always want to go out to walk either. Sometimes I stay home and thatās okay too. Stay warm and safe, Susan! šāāļø
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You too!
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Wow, that last shot is amazing, Sabine. It looks like you have red squirrels in the park. Any black ones, or grey?
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That last shot was lucky!! I was in the right place at the right time. We do have mostly these red (I call them regular) squirrels and some western grey squirrels. The grey ones are much larger and much better behaved. Iāve seen black squirrels in photos, but have never seen one in person. I donāt believe we have those out west.
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We used to not have black squirrels but when they started proliferating here I looked it up and they are actually red or grey squirrels with a pigment ‘malfunction’ sort of the opposite of albino. Interesting.
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Interesting indeed! I did not know that either about the black squirrels. Thanks for sharing this info LuAnne! šāāļø
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I love the squirrel in mid-flight! Like you, I walk to a nearby park almost everyday. On the weekends Lonny and I get out hiking. Being out in nature soothes the soul and works the body!
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Yes, we have to do everything within our own power to stay well right now. The “flying” squirrel made my day that day. š
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I love all your posts Sabine, but of course this one really resonates with me. Look at these cutie-pie squirrels looking out of the tree, their little hideaway and the close-ups of the other squirrels, especially the one taking a flying leap. This post made me grin ear to ear. š
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I have to tell you that I often think of you when I have these squirrely encounters! The post made me smile too and I have come to appreciate these critters so much more since following your blog. I hope all is well with you! š
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They are endearing aren’t they Sabine? You had a close encounter of the best kind! I feel badly I did not get to the Park today, much as I hated to leave them without their daily treats, but it was brutally cold and there were warnings not to be out more than ten minutes. I wasn’t going to drive as the streets were not plowed or salted from our storm on Thursday night (we got 4.2 inches of snow and it had an icy mix). I hated to do it as I shoveled yesterday, but I suspect due to the extreme weather (-2 real feel this a.m.), 25 mph winds, they likely are hunkered down in their nests. I have never seen them in a hollowed-out tree, and never have seen one peeking out of their nests either. I am ready for Winter to be over but it’s snowing a little now and we have three snowfalls this week and this Arctic Blast most of the upcoming week.
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Linda, I saw your weather on the news! Lots of snow falling in the east and your polar vortex is even affecting the European weather. We have 5 days of possible snow in the forecast next week. It would be fun to build a snowman! Haven’t done that in a very very long time. š
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Oh Sabine – this Polar Vortex is awful. I didn’t get to the Park again today. I was concerned about walking on the slick roads which are still not plowed nor salted. That is amazing that it is affecting Europe. And you having snow for five days – and no one believed that notion of climate change! Remember my snowman last year? I was out of practice, having not made one in probably five decades (and then some). It was a small snowman. I was aiming something like “The Stranger in the Woods” book and photos – have you ever seen those nature photos Sabine? The photographers build a snowman in the woods and watch the animals come and greet it. Chickadees sit on the snowman’s carrot nose, the deer tries to nibble it. Very sweet photos.
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Iāll check out the Stranger in the Woods. Sounds fun! Linda, stay safe and warm! āļø
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Yes, it is a beautiful nature photography site Sabine. This is a set of the prints used in the children’s books. Last year when I made the small snowman I HAD been hopeful to get cute photos, but it fell short as it was not good packing snow. These photos on their site are all good, but these make me smile. Click to see the whole pic:
https://strangerinthewoods.com/product-category/stranger-in-the-woods-prints/
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A really great squirrel showcasing Sabine and finishing on that action shot is perfect!
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Thank you, Wayne! Ever since following Linda’s blog I’ve come to appreciate them more than before. š
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yes,she’s the squirrel Queen! She always writes such a great post as well!
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Yes she is and yes, she does! š
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These pictures do make you smile. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes, they do and we all can use extra smiles right now. Thanks for stopping by my blog! š
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