Some things to love

There's something for me to love in every part of this photo - one I'm really pleased I stopped to capture.

First it's the hints of colour - the changes that speak to autumn which bursts on this area in all its glory - it doesn't seem to creep this year - it is just suddenly everywhere.

Second is the image of young Clydesdales eating their way along the edge of the pasture. (Well maybe the horses are first given that I love those big animals so much - I have to chuckle at this passion.) That these youngsters respect that the river is the edge of their range is remarkable to me - I love that tails are switching. They're obviously walking and ripping out grass as they go.

Third - the reflections in the river - the horses at the edge - the edge of the river bank, the large rock on the left hand side... reflections always make me pause for some reason. They often are so beautiful.

And then did you notice the grass is only partway down the bank of the river? It shows the grey clay, bared by the decreasing water level in this big river that has supported so many farms, and historically many mills of various kinds grist mills, flour mills, timber, all kinds - and even further back it was a support for First Nations - teeming with trout. There are still trout, but not nearly so many, and you have to be a skilled angler. Decreasing water levels mean to me that we need to be more careful and take better care.

All in all, this photograph has made me feel grateful. With Canadian Thanksgiving approaching this weekend,  perhaps that's what has me thinking along these lines. But I know I'm so blessed to live in a beautiful area, filled with things I love, and the ability to move around freely unlike half the world, without fear, with a full belly when I wish it and with friends not deadly enemies wherever I look.

Just some reflections of my own on this beautiful morning. Do you have some as well?

The Beaver River

 In the past year I've frequently mentioned the Beaver River which runs south to north into Georgian Bay. At its closest to me it is about a mile away. At this point it is quite slow moving as you can see from the algae bloom that is on both sides.

It regularly overflows its banks, in fact at this point there is only one visible bank and that's on the other side of the bridge from which I'm looking south to take this photo. Mostly the river just flows into the bush on either side, rising and falling with the amount of rain or snow we might get at any particular point in the year.

It is fed by numerous creeks and branches up stream and by the rushing water sent down long tubes to turn turbines for a small generating plant upstream for me and that provides my area with electricity. The water for the plant comes from a man-made lake Eugenia, which was created for this purpose out of swamp years ago. It is surrounded by cottages now and is quite large. Good fishing too I understand.

Downstream about another mile from where I live the river is joined by Mill Creek, a smaller faster moving body of water that has its origins up in the hills we call a mountain around here.

The river has historically been used as a canoe route for Aboriginal tribes, though it's not very long, probably only about 30 or 40 miles max, has provided fish for food and good sport fishing and upstream is very pretty as it cuts through bush and flat lands, running fast and free. It has also provided water to power many a mill in pioneer days and two small villages still exist along its banks. The names and remnants of others of earlier times are still visible.

It has a large colony of snowy egrets, great blue herons and many other birds nest in the branches of its trees. of course there are also beaver, mink, and muskrat, and I saw a family of otter down the river one spring. I have also seen several feral cats along this particular road that crosses it... but have no idea how they survive. Not well nor easily I would imagine.

But it is beautiful and peaceful and these days provides water for at least two businesses that rent out canoes and kayaks for short or long trips down it.

Looking down into the water from the bridge you can see the reeds and the little white dots in the left corner are bits of food that huge fat polywogs rise up grab and swim back down. One of the larger dots and one looking like a little bubble right in the centre at the bottom of the photo are both polywogs. On this day they have fat white bellies and no legs but large tails. I'm sure by today they have little feet in back at least.

I stood there for the longest time, sun hot on my back looking into the water admiring Mother Nature's handiwork.

It was a blissful peaceful moment along the river.

May you have many such blissful, peaceful moments today.