As I am now employed full time, my walks with rod and reel, gun or camera, have diminished greatly. But I still walk. Every day...

Now I travel by train to work. This affords me a few luxuries that the streetcar, bicycle or car cannot. I read a lot more, and the "Quite Zone" encourages self contemplation. Best of all though, it's a great view!

As the train approaches Rouge Hill the view of the lake always takes my breath away! Sometimes the waterfowl are bobbing in the frigid waters of Lake Ontario. It always amazes me that these little, warm-blooded creatures of flight can function, fly and paddle, when even the thought of the water's temperature chills my bones!

Early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, my view from the train will often reward me with a deer or two traversing an open, snow covered field. The doe is swollen with the rewards of last autumn's rut and the buck is without his majestic headgear having recently shed his antlers. But they walk, and sometimes charge, from one thicket to another, or from a frozen swamp to a stand of hardwoods, in search of browse. 

When my train travel is an hour after first light I have the pleasure of seeing the turkeys in the fields and by the edges of the woods. They're still flocked up, Toms, hens and jakes. They're scratching for mast; last year's fallen acorns, soybeans and ears of corn that were missed in the harvest. Soon their foraging and scratching will turn to the emerging exoskeletons. They love centipedes and insect grubs!  

As the weather warms and the days become longer, the turkeys' interests will turn to more pressing matters. Procreation of the species. Their little brains are not wired to think globally or of their importance in the environment; few human brains are even wired that way! The Toms will only be concerned with gathering a harem and fulfilling their urges! This is when the turkey is at its best, its most dramatic; displaying, calling, and exhibiting its most interesting characteristics. This is when I do not want to be traveling by train, viewing them from a car moving at 100km an hour. This is when I want to be in the woods, hearing them, seeing them. Maybe even calling them in for a better view.

The last week of April can't come soon enough!
     

Hiking, Observing, Harvesting, Sharing; but mostly, Learning...

Hiking, observing, on occasion, harvesting, and sharing... But always learning!

Today was a fantastic day! For me, unlike most days, it started after the sun had risen. Every morning this past week the dogs were walked while the moon and stars were still in the sky. I've been witness to a spectacular sunrise and the crisp air of early autumn has been cool upon my face each morning. Today though, our dogs walked in the first light as opposed to last darkness.

I walk every day, I must, it's demanded on me, a responsibility of keeping canines in one's household. But I also choose to walk. It gives me opportunity, objectivity and peace of mind. I walk with my camera, or my fishing rod and at this time of year, my gun. 

Walking is a major mile stone in one's life! A child's first step is celebrated by his or her parents. It's the first step towards one's independence. But as we grow it seems that being able to ride a bike, swim, or drive a car become more important. Walking though is so much more a greater achievement. As our friends and family reach an age where mobility is impaired, once again if one can walk, at a great age, it's celebrated. What good is longevity if one cannot walk?

Our walk through life is both figurative and literal. We cross paths with others' walks. We are often asked to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. We walk down the aisle. Hopefully we are blessed with someone to walk hand in hand with: I am. Life is a walk.

Every day that I am capable of walking is a blessing. I am thankful for each step I am able to take. I am hopeful for each step I take. Each step gives me a new view, a new perspective. Each step is an opportunity for a new encounter, a chance meeting of minds, something new to harvest. Most importantly though, each step is a chance to learn!

As infants, we learn to walk. As adults, we should walk to learn!

    

The Philosophy of Walking in the Woods

The View from up here is Great!



The view might be simply fantastic, but sometimes in our haste to go from one vista to another, our impatience to see the next panorama causes us to overlook what very well could be the best view of all. Don't forget to look down! 

The forest floor can offer some of the most wonderful of scenery. Tiny, microcosmic landscapes; a palette of colours not expected; shapes and patterns of a very compelling nature, and not necessarily found when peering across a vast stretch of woods, hills or lakes.

 

   

I am compelled to wonder if Jean-Paul Sartre, Kierkegaard or Gabriel Marcel walked the local woods of their respective homes. Were their thoughts on existentialism influenced by what covered the ground where their feet trod? 

Did Sartre see the "rot," influencing his adherence to Atheism? Proof in his mind that man's amorality was only possible if God did not exist? 

And did Marcel or Soren Kierkegaard see the "rot" beneath their feet and envision a renewal in life, a return to the earth in a spiritual re-birth of a plan that their God had put in place billions of years before their walk through the woods would ever happen?

 My walks through spruce forests, poplar stands and muskeg are meaningless to most. In fact,  they only have meaning to me. As I view the moment, I can only but realize that I have no influence on my surroundings... Other than where my feet tread.

Always look down, you never know what you might step on!

Any Excuse...

Any Excuse for a Walk in the Woods...

Woke this morning to the wood-fire out. It was chilly. Best remedy for a cool Sunday morning? The new Keurig that Aimee brought home late this week. It was raining too. Walk the dogs, but wait the rain and dark skies out before the first walk in the grouse woods for the season.

I left the house just by one this afternoon. There are not many places left in this world where you can walk through your subdivision with a shotgun over your shoulder. So I walked to the woods with a pocket full of shells, my camera and a curiosity, no, a hope for what I might see.

I walked for four hours! I heard many birds. I saw one, took one shot, and took that one bird home! I took many photos though. I looked down as much as I looked up, not to stop from tripping up, but just to see what was there.

I saw some fantastic and interesting stuff! Views and panoramas, tiny forest growth, and unfortunately some trash. 

This week, in the early evenings after work, I’ll walk the woods a few more times. 

Tomorrow we’ll be blueberry picking; found a great spot this afternoon closer to home than expected. Maybe another grouse or two later in the week. Of course, I’ll fish one of those evenings too! 

I’m thinking a new recipe is formulating; Grouse with a blueberry sauce!

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I’m thinking a walk a day keeps the doctor away! And, after all, hunting, fishing or photography are simply good excuses for a walk in the woods!