Photos A Walk in Nature

[RayseM]

Really lovely James - I love the open woods. Mostly more closed in around here. Though in the area I am clearing another trail for, there are some truly beautiful areas that are more open. I DID NOT run the trail THROUGH these mossy areas but ALONG so that they can be appreciated but not trampled ~

The DEER however, go as they wish

This was where I had lunch yesterday, sitting on this ledge with moss and reindeer lichen, in the 18°F air ~

By tomorrow this will all be covered with snow. Glad I could do my work ahead of the snow. I was all done with this new section by 3:50 yesterday afternoon after about 36 hours of effort. Quite a few more days of work ahead as I continue the network. I just love doing it.

 

[holo07]

View attachment 2447337View attachment 2447338

 

[CelloDan]

Keep on keepin' on Brother.

Gracias Ray, will try for as long as I can !

Overall, it was a serene soul refreshing walk in beautiful woods that I am glad are accessible to me.

Food for the soul James !

Thank you Dan, yes it is, and you can cool your feet by letting the small fish tickle them.

Lol Jose , I remember a few years ago a small little pike bit my toe while I was walking in shallow water on the St Lawrence river. OUCH, it hurt !!!
Then there was the time when a Bluegill on the Rideau Canal ( likely a piranha hybrid lol ) bit a mole on my back causing to bleed.
RayseM had to patch me up to stop it.
I did not see Ray swim again on the Rideau after that

I just love doing it.

Beautiful forests Ray !
Keep on keepin' on Brother.

Looks like not much snow in your neck of the woods.
Same here pretty much. So far it has been a very mild winter here in Ontario. I am concerned about folks that depend on winter precipitation and colder weather to make their living. From farmers being affected by the potential drought in the spring due to lack of snow to skill hill operators in their struggle to keep business afloat. Last year the Rideau Canal Skateway, the largest skating rink in the world was not able to open for the first time ever.

I am feeling VERY happy today folks

Our youngest daughter took the initiative today to plan the activities for the family.
She suggested that Diana and her big sister ( who is not able to skate at the moment due to a knee injury) go to the indoor municipal pool for exercise while she and I went to the ice trails

I am so happy because she tends to be a bit introvert and quite reserved and I am not sure how to reach out to her sometimes.
We had a most wonderful time skating and kick sledding together on the ice trails.

We all arrived back home about the same time and I made poutine for everyone

I brought along my HHB.

The trails were a bit rough in some section as they were not able to flood them last night. The forest also looks rather strange without the thick blanket of

 

[redsparrow]

Food for the soul James !

I am feeling VERY happy today folks ...
...We had a most wonderful time skating and kick sledding together on the ice trails.

Food for the soul indeed, Dan.
Wonderful that you two shared that time together. You are a blessed man.

 

[redsparrow]

Really lovely James - I love the open woods. Mostly more closed in around here. Though in the area I am clearing another trail for, there are some truly beautiful areas that are more open. I DID NOT run the trail THROUGH these mossy areas but ALONG so that they can be appreciated but not trampled ~

The DEER however, go as they wish

View attachment 2447300


View attachment 2447312


This was where I had lunch yesterday, sitting on this ledge with moss and reindeer lichen, in the 18°F air ~

View attachment 2447301

By tomorrow this will all be covered with snow. Glad I could do my work ahead of the snow. I was all done with this new section by 3:50 yesterday afternoon after about 36 hours of effort. Quite a few more days of work ahead as I continue the network. I just love doing it.

Beautiful woods and thanks Ray.
Looks like you're doing a fine job, one that you and others will enjoy for years to come. I've spent many rewarding hours in similar endeavors. More in keeping trails open than cutting new trails but I know a bit about how you feel. Enjoy the process and stay safe my friend.

 

[DirtDawg]

Well - blame it on the Captain CelloDan , he requested updated trail photos of the new trail I'm clearing.

Have been at it now for 26 + hours. Some sections take a relatively few minutes (10 or 15) where as other short sections take hours. I still have at least 6 to 8 hours more to go for this one section - about a 25 minute walk in one direction. Lots more milage beyond that on the overall network. Other sections will be cleared later this season - hopefully between snow falls. Have been lucky so far as there is no snow cover but that will change Saturday night.

Anyway - here are a few shots of the WIP. Difficult to appreciate the beauty of this closed woods but it is a very nice section of our local trail network.

The blue/pink tape will all be replaced with proper blazes in the near future.

HERE , A BEFORE AND AFTER - look closely and you can identify the same trees. The one in the foreground just beyond the tape flag is the 3rd tree down on the right of the AFTER photo.

BEFORE ~

View attachment 2444914

AFTER ~

View attachment 2444916

AND ANOTHER Section after clearing ~

View attachment 2444918

FINALLY one with the knife of the day. Knife blurred a bit in favor of the more clear trail in the distance ~

View attachment 2444919

Nice. Very nice indeed. I want to be there.

 

[DirtDawg]

Went on a Woods Wander yesterday and got the opportunity to give my new but still unfinished wander staff a real workout. The terrain was hilly and often loose. One stretch had been muddy when horses had passed thru and was now all frozen horse prints. A real ankle twister. The staff was indispensable, assisting with balance, moving thorny vines out of the way, testing frozen waters and fending off wild animals. Well, maybe not the wild animal part but it was a solid confidence builder that made the day more pleasurable.

Overall, it was a serene soul refreshing walk in beautiful woods that I am glad are accessible to me.

edit: Ooops, almost forgot knife content. The only cutlery I had with me on this walk was the minimalistic Victorinox Walker and my key-chain Rambler. Neither was called upon and they did not make it out of the pocket or pack. This Walker pic was taken on a previous hike. Both are great knives though.

A woods wander... Is there anything much better? That's a handsome wander staff that accompanies you too.

 

[DirtDawg]

Gracias Ray, will try for as long as I can !


Food for the soul James !


Lol Jose , I remember a few years ago a small little pike bit my toe while I was walking in shallow water on the St Lawrence river. OUCH, it hurt !!!
Then there was the time when a Bluegill on the Rideau Canal ( likely a piranha hybrid lol ) bit a mole on my back causing to bleed.
RayseM had to patch me up to stop it.
I did not see Ray swim again on the Rideau after that


Beautiful forests Ray !
Keep on keepin' on Brother.


Looks like not much snow in your neck of the woods.
Same here pretty much. So far it has been a very mild winter here in Ontario. I am concerned about folks that depend on winter precipitation and colder weather to make their living. From farmers being affected by the potential drought in the spring due to lack of snow to skill hill operators in their struggle to keep business afloat. Last year the Rideau Canal Skateway, the largest skating rink in the world was not able to open for the first time ever.

I am feeling VERY happy today folks

Our youngest daughter took the initiative today to plan the activities for the family.
She suggested that Diana and her big sister ( who is not able to skate at the moment due to a knee injury) go to the indoor municipal pool for exercise while she and I went to the ice trails

I am so happy because she tends to be a bit introvert and quite reserved and I am not sure how to reach out to her sometimes.
We had a most wonderful time skating and kick sledding together on the ice trails.

We all arrived back home about the same time and I made poutine for everyone

I brought along my HHB.

The trails were a bit rough in some section as they were not able to flood them last night. The forest also looks rather strange without the thick blanket of

Family time, one on one, a very special time indeed. The setting only adds to the experience. And yes, I did spot the knife Dan. Nicely photographed.

 

[holo07]

View attachment 2448995

 

[RLB0414]

Went on a Woods Wander yesterday and got the opportunity to give my new but still unfinished wander staff a real workout. The terrain was hilly and often loose. One stretch had been muddy when horses had passed thru and was now all frozen horse prints. A real ankle twister. The staff was indispensable, assisting with balance, moving thorny vines out of the way, testing frozen waters and fending off wild animals. Well, maybe not the wild animal part but it was a solid confidence builder that made the day more pleasurable.

Overall, it was a serene soul refreshing walk in beautiful woods that I am glad are accessible to me.

edit: Ooops, almost forgot knife content. The only cutlery I had with me on this walk was the minimalistic Victorinox Walker and my key-chain Rambler. Neither was called upon and they did not make it out of the pocket or pack. This Walker pic was taken on a previous hike. Both are great knives though.

Certainly soul recharging. Looks like a great place to get "lost"

Really lovely James - I love the open woods. Mostly more closed in around here. Though in the area I am clearing another trail for, there are some truly beautiful areas that are more open. I DID NOT run the trail THROUGH these mossy areas but ALONG so that they can be appreciated but not trampled ~

The DEER however, go as they wish

View attachment 2447300


View attachment 2447312


This was where I had lunch yesterday, sitting on this ledge with moss and reindeer lichen, in the 18°F air ~

View attachment 2447301

By tomorrow this will all be covered with snow. Glad I could do my work ahead of the snow. I was all done with this new section by 3:50 yesterday afternoon after about 36 hours of effort. Quite a few more days of work ahead as I continue the network. I just love doing it.

Beautiful. Another place to wander and recharge.

 

[redsparrow]

Certainly soul recharging. Looks like a great place to get "lost"

Yes, I think sunsets, lakes, woods, mountains, streams and Canadian Chickadees were made to help keep man mentally healthy. As a city boy I need to be close to nature from time to time.
Funny that you mentioned lost. I can't say I was lost but I did wander off the beaten path. It took me about an hour thru some thick brush to find another path I could use. I try to always carry a compass, this time out I checked it about a dozen times in that hour.

 

[RLB0414]

Yes, I think sunsets, lakes, woods, mountains, streams and Canadian Chickadees were made to help keep man mentally healthy. As a city boy I need to be close to nature from time to time.
Funny that you mentioned lost. I can't say I was lost but I did wander off the beaten path. It took me about an hour thru some thick brush to find another path I could use. I try to always carry a compass, this time out I checked it about a dozen times in that hour.

I grew up in the country in the deep southern US. Now, I live in town and it wears one down. Not much nature in SE Michigan. To get into decent woods a 2 to 4 hour drive is required.

 

[Just Tom.]

I didn’t get too much outdoor time last weekend, but I did spend a couple of hours wandering around some local woods looking for a forked branch I could make a cane out of. I didn’t find anything suitable, but I was surprised to see these things coming up already:

Maybe they do that every year, but I don’t usually look for them until spring is just around the corner. RayseM knows the deal.

We got quite a bit of rain this week- I was afraid I would need my boat to go to the grocery store…

I managed to find the time a couple of evenings to finish this stick:

 

[RayseM]

I'll need to check to see what out locals are up to Tom but here in the meantime this fascinating info about Skunk Cabbage ~

Skunk cabbage has a remarkable ability to produce heat that allows it to emerge and bloom even when the ground is still frozen. During the winter when temperatures are freezing, the flower buds can warm up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which melts the snow around the plant.

Skunk Cabbage | National Wildlife Federation​

 

[CelloDan]

managed to find the time a couple of evenings to finish this stick:

Nice work on the walking stick Tom !
I hope you were able to make progress in assisting your parents as you shared a few posts back.
We got a lot of rain here too, then snow, then more rain and now we are bracing for a big blizzard starting tonight until tomorrow afternoon

We went to the ice trails today before we hunker down for the coming storm.

I brought along my Case Sodbuster Junior with Peach Seed Jig Mahogany Bone scales.
This particular knife is very peculiar as this model is only offered in CV steel ( what I wanted when I ordered ) however for some unknown reason this one is stainless .
It was suggested here on BF that I write to Case to see what they say about it, which I did however I did not get a response.

Nevertheless, stainless is just fine as I tend to drop my knives in the snow A LOT when taking pics outside in winter

So I DID NOT drop my Sodbuster in the today ... HOWEVER ... right after this pic was taken ( with a ten second delay so I could run back to Diana) my new Iphone 15 Pro fell from its precarious perch straight into the

 

[Just Tom.]

I hope you were able to make progress in assisting your parents as you shared a few posts back.

Thanks, Dan. We got my mom settled into a nice place for now. My dad is still in rehab though, and what their combined living arrangements are going to be in the future will depend on what level of care they determine my dad is going to need. I’d be lying if I said it’s not a struggle, but thankfully my wife and I are managing things pretty well so far.

We went to the ice trails today before we hunker down for the coming storm.

Happy hunkering! Sounds like a good time to reminisce about last season’s adventures, and plan for next season’s

 

[DirtDawg]

I didn’t get too much outdoor time last weekend, but I did spend a couple of hours wandering around some local woods looking for a forked branch I could make a cane out of. I didn’t find anything suitable, but I was surprised to see these things coming up already:

Maybe they do that every year, but I don’t usually look for them until spring is just around the corner. RayseM knows the deal.

We got quite a bit of rain this week- I was afraid I would need my boat to go to the grocery store…

I managed to find the time a couple of evenings to finish this stick:

That's some nice carving on that stick Tom. What knife is that little red job? It has a Colonial look to it, yet a definite The Ideal cut to that main blade. Do you have an overall shot of the stick? Love your nature/outdoor images.

 

[DirtDawg]

Nice work on the walking stick Tom !
I hope you were able to make progress in assisting your parents as you shared a few posts back.
We got a lot of rain here too, then snow, then more rain and now we are bracing for a big blizzard starting tonight until tomorrow afternoon

We went to the ice trails today before we hunker down for the coming storm.

I brought along my Case Sodbuster Junior with Peach Seed Jig Mahogany Bone scales.
This particular knife is very peculiar as this model is only offered in CV steel ( what I wanted when I ordered ) however for some unknown reason this one is stainless .
It was suggested here on BF that I write to Case to see what they say about it, which I did however I did not get a response.

Nevertheless, stainless is just fine as I tend to drop my knives in the snow A LOT when taking pics outside in winter

So I DID NOT drop my Sodbuster in the today ... HOWEVER ... right after this pic was taken ( with a ten second delay so I could run back to Diana) my new Iphone 15 Pro fell from its precarious perch straight into the

Didn't you know that Swiss Army Knives are supposed to be red, and Sodbusters are supposed to be black? With that being said, that's a handsome Junior you have there.

 

[RayseM]

No walking for us yesterday. Our peninsula was an island during high tide - so for a while. First time that's happened - at least since I've been here, starting in 1978.

Some downed tree work on the trails Friday that required a chain saw. I prefer to just carry in my Silky saws but sometimes I need the power. Takes a lot out of me carrying all the gear in. Almost easier just to keep sawing with a sharp Silky - almost - sometimes it just takes work no matter how you do it.

Here was one of 6 blocking the trails. Very likely more today.

BEFORE ~



WITH A DETAIL close up ~




AFTER ~

 

[Just Tom.]

Some downed tree work on the trails Friday that required a chain saw. I prefer to just carry in my Silky saws but sometimes I need the power. Takes a lot out of me carrying all the gear in. Almost easier just to keep sawing with a sharp Silky - almost - sometimes it just takes work no matter how you do it.

Would a large bow saw be at all useful?

What knife is that little red job? It has a Colonial look to it, yet a definite The Ideal cut to that main blade.

“The Ideal”. Your question inspired me to take it on my short walk this morning. I got home just before the high winds and flurries started.

Chisel ground, no half-stops. Both blades are a little stiff with a sort of anemic snap on opening, but close with an authoritative “CLACK!” I modified the pen blade for whittling.

Do you have an overall shot of the stick?

Here you go:

That's some nice carving on that stick Tom.

Love your nature/outdoor images.

Thanks!


Temps are still pretty mild for January: