Autumn is in the Air

On a recent morning I took Hogan (the dog) for a walk at Raccoon River Park. You've walked along this trail with me before HERE in the spring, and HERE in the dead of a snowy winter.

This particular morning, thick fog hung across the trail.

 After about 20 minutes of walking, the fog began to burn off.

But my, didn't it look pretty over this pond?

And by the time we completed our hour-plus long walk, there wasn't a trace of fog. 

Just a beautiful blue, clear-skied day.

It was one of those days... one of the places that makes you certain that God's the master creator. 

March Walk in the Woods

Spring is gradually arriving in Des Moines. This morning's walk at Raccoon River Park shows how much snow has melted, and how it's causing the river to swell. In some places, fast moving water was only eight feet (2.4 meters) from the trail.

Compare today's March 15 photo...

...with this one taken January 8.

Another trail-walker clued me in to keep watch for this migratory Eastern bluebird which I was able to catch with my camera. Though my picture isn't the best, it was lovely to see this spot of color on such a gloomy morning.

Our side yard has a minimal amount of snow remaining. We have lots of clean-up ahead, removing dead branches that have fallen from river birch trees.

And this dirty pile of snow, shaded from the sun on the north side of the house, will likely be the last bit to melt.

Happily, we're ahead of schedule with the expected snow melting progress, and we're hoping for the best as experts monitor flooding in low-lying areas.

A Walk in the Woods

Though my title is also the title of a book by one of my favorite authors, Bill Bryson, several mornings a week, I do take a walk in the woods.

A dog in the household helps keep us physically fit, as we trek the 3.2-mile (5.1 K) trail around Raccoon River Park.

 Much of the trail runs between the Des Moines River, and Blue Heron Lake.

It's a place to appreciate God's creation.

In my own backyard I routinely get to see robins, blue jays, and cardinals. Along the trail this morning I saw gold finches (our state bird), Baltimore orioles, red-headed woodpeckers, and a blue heron (the lake's namesake).

My favorite spring migratory bird is the indigo bunting. Happily, I sited several of them this morning which I tried to photograph. They're just too small and flighty. But a bird that color, is really something to see.