Something was afoot ...

... and it wasn’t me finally stepping out with my best foot forward. Finally, a few more of the long-time walkers were strolling along the perimeter path this morning.

So what ultimately brought the “regulars” out of hibernation?

It sure wasn’t because of the sliver of sun peering between those gray clouds on this dismal morn. Nor did that 33-degree weather beckon them to join fellow walkers at Council Point Park. No, something was afoot as today was touted as “National Take a Walk in the Park Day” – so now you know.

The weather and walking were both duds this week; Tuesday and Thursday were all-day rains and Wednesday was dull and dreary, so I used that morning to run a few errands.

So ... fast forward to Friday. Luckily it was above freezing, or I’d have worried about the dreaded black ice forming on the asphalt walking path after yesterday’s incessant rain. The squirrels, with Parker leading the pack, came racing over to greet me like I’d been away for weeks, rather than just a handful of days. I made their day by doling out extra peanuts, then off I went to find some pictures for today’s post.

A big splash in the Ecorse Creek sent me scurrying to the water’s edge, as far as I dared, since the grass was slick and a little muddy from all the rain. Then I heard another splash. Clearly it was not the large smack landing by a duck or a goose, so there I stood, still as a statue, camera in hand and ready to take a shot of whatever surfaced. I suspect it was a fish flip-flopping in the water, certainly apropos for Good Friday during the Lenten season.

I gave that mystery creature five minutes to put in an appearance, and he or she did not, so I finally left. A few geese were peacefully paddling down the Creek, and a drake stood on a half-submerged log performing its morning ablution, first sticking its bright-yellow bill into the water, then using that moisture to spread the natural oils to the end of each feather. Clearly, it was so engrossed in this task, that it was oblivious to me as I stood there while it preened.

On the second loop of the perimeter path, there was no action, except calling out “Happy New Year and Happy Easter” to a walker I’ve not seen since at least mid-December.

There are subtle signs of Spring at my favorite nature nook and on the way home I noticed tree lint littering the sidewalk. Those red leafy buds were everywhere, a soft cushion beneath my shoes while I walked along, plus occasionally tickling my nose since I have Spring allergies.

It was good to be back on the trail, albeit on a gray and dreary day.

I’ll leave you with this quote that I saw on #TakeAWalkInTheParkDay, which was trending on Twitter earlier today:

“We need the tonic of wilderness. We can never have enough of nature.” ~Henry David Thoreau

You can catch up on my blog posts before I started blogging at Patch in August 2013 by going here: http://lindaschaubblog.net/