"Whatcha Looking For?"

"Whatcah looking for?" Said by one of two somewhat scruffy middle-aged men to me early this morning, as I stepped off a path at Lemoine Point to let them pass. I had my Fuji camera with me.

"Anything that catches my eye," I replied.

"Like two good lookin' men?" the one asked.

Slight pause. "Hmm..." Another pause. "Anything four-legged or winged that catches my eye," I clarified, meanwhile thinking, asshole.

And off we all all went on our merry way, after he mentioned there were some large woodpeckers in a certain area of the Point. I hope that wasn't a euphemism. 

As an aside, a passenger on the bus this morning (known to the driver, obviously a regular) said that because I was a "pretty woman," I ought to be careful out in the woods and stick to the main paths. Apparently there must be perverts who hang out in that area, though I would think there are too many people jogging, bike-riding and walking their dogs for that. Now, the Rideau Trail between Front Road and Bath Road--yeah, I get that. BTW, the passenger is a school bus driver (there's a job for perverts) and also a photographer--the last time he was in the conservation area he got photos of some barred owls. Lucky man!

So what did catch my eye in Lemoine Point this morning?

Birds, mostly. A lot of geese and chickadees today. Snapped quite a few blue jay pics too, but kept only a few. A mourning dove. One grey squirrel and a red squirrel as well.

What I find remarkable is that I actually went to the conservation area this morning.

I went once last year, when Dad was visiting in June, and if memory serves, that was the only time. I really had no interest in anything last year at all. Looking back from this perspective, I can see how Annie's death touched me in so many ways. The grief has been slow to heal, but it is healing.

And it's really nice to be taking an interest in "normal" (for me) things again. Things I thought I never would take note of again or want to do again.

So all in all, a good Saturday, in spite of silly middle-aged men who think they're funny.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.