It was a beautiful Monday morning when I drove to my favorite park, intent on capturing my “Walktober.” Every year I do Robin’s walk, and every year I think I want to do it out at Kensington Metro Park. But this was the first year I actually got out there.
Have a seat. It was so beautiful that I couldn’t stop capturing images. And then how could I choose only a few? So this is going to get kind of long. You can skim if you want, or take your time and meander along with me.
That’s the benefit of heading out on a Walktober….there’s no real definition and you get to do whatever suites you best.
So here we go.
Back in the woods the trees were still mostly green, but there was a bit of red if you looked.
On the entire walk the sun and I were racing each other; big puffy clouds kept obstructing the light. I’d see an image and get all set up and then the sun would go under a cloud.
So I’d wait.
Inevitably the sun would peak out again, though sometimes only for a moment. I had to act fast.
Along the way there was a lot of detail to notice too. Like this fungus on the ends of a tree that had fallen…
…and the first of the bittersweet berries beginning to ripen.
This is the park where the little birds like to be fed. And even though there are signs not to feed the wildlife it’s hard to resist when they fly down and hover in front of your face hopefully.
This time I got really lucky. I’ve had chickadees, titmice and woodpeckers land on my hand before, but never a nuthatch. They’ve always hovered around, wanting to get something, but a little too scared. Not today!
At one point I dropped the rest of the seed in my hand onto the path and walked away. The little birds flew in to finish it off. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this guy swoop up to a branch overhead.
“Oh no you don’t,” I said. I marched myself right back there and waited until the little birds finished off the seed. Disappointed, Mr. Hawk flew off to find lunch somewhere else. Darned if I was going to present my birds to him for a meal!
A little way further up the path I came upon a clearing.
This land was donated to the park by the estate of George and Virginia Danz in 1997. It was the site of their summer cabin. It’s just beautiful and I sent them up a silent thank you.
It was such a beautiful day for a walk. As I came to intersections on the path I always took the one that sent me further away from the parking lot. I didn’t want to stop!
The path wandered in and out of the woods, along wetlands, and groves of ceder. The sun poked it’s way into the deep reaches of the woods. The birds sang. I didn’t see anyone else out there until I got back almost to the parking lot.
It just kept getting better and better.
I’m sure there’s a story about this old farm implement that was sitting way out there. All of this land used to be farm so maybe this was from the original owners. Or maybe it was put there to tell a story. Guess we’ll have to come up with one on our own.
There was something fun no matter where I looked.
Eventually I had to stop, so I headed back toward the car. Of course there was one last photo…and then another…
…and when I finally got back to the parking lot these two guys were waiting for me. Silly birds, they’re supposed to be heading south by now.
But I’m glad I got to see them up close and wish them safe travels.
I had such a wonderful time on this year’s Walktober. Thank you Robin for organizing this every year! You make me get out and take a walk!
And for all of you readers out there, there’s still time for you to go on your own Walktober. Take a walk. Urban. Country. Somewhere in between. Take a few pictures (you don’t have to go overboard like I did!!!) and link to Robin’s blog, or just comment in her blog, and she’ll organize it all at the end. The timeframe is from October 15 through the 23rd, with blog posts due by October 25. But she’ll stretch the timing for you if you need a few more days.
I’d love to see what you see in your worlds as you walk! Share with us!
October 17, 2016 at 7:54 pm
I love the idea of Walktober and this was a great post. I’d like to participate, but weather this week is pretty iffy. I missed the window for today, but maybe I can get out tomorrow.
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October 17, 2016 at 7:55 pm
I hope you can! I’d love to see your part of the world! And if you need an extra day or two just let Robin know.
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October 17, 2016 at 8:01 pm
Yes, let me know. I don’t mind if folks need extra time. It gives me extra time, too. 🙂
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October 17, 2016 at 8:01 pm
I love this walk, Dawn. I wish I could have been there in person, but this is the next best thing. Such amazing sights! And feeding the little birds by hand! Thank you so much for sharing your walk with us. 🙂 ♥♥♥
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October 17, 2016 at 8:30 pm
Come on up Robin and we’ll go out and feed the birds.
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October 17, 2016 at 8:30 pm
That was a beautiful walk, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We’re supposed to have some dryer days coming up, so maybe I’ll get out there too.
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October 17, 2016 at 8:31 pm
I hope so Carol! I love your part of the country.
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October 17, 2016 at 11:30 pm
Lovely. I looked at all the photos in photo viewer mode. I’d say that your theme for this walk is definitely red!
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October 18, 2016 at 12:52 am
Lots of red out there today! Met a couple who were just heading out when I was almost to the parking lot. They were disappointed in the color. I told them there was a lot of color they just had to look for it. I doubt they will walk far enough into the woods to see it though.
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October 18, 2016 at 12:22 am
Beautiful, beautiful walk Dawn. The view is lovely! Makes me want to put on my walking shoes and head out with my camera 🙂
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October 18, 2016 at 12:53 am
Please do! I’d love to see what’s in your part of the world.
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October 19, 2016 at 11:44 am
I would definitely try a walk and post 🙂
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October 18, 2016 at 9:39 am
Over from Robin’s … What a wonderful walk. Your fall is ahead of mine in Cincinnati – but it’s approaching. You definitely provided a peaceful walk for the season. Cheers.
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October 18, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by! I’m sure Cincinnati will be peak in short order, it’s spreading really fast up here. Last week it was mostly green and now the maples are in full color out on the roads.
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October 18, 2016 at 8:21 pm
Oh yes …. leaf season is like a moving tide, so it is a matter of time. I can’t recall, but your state is?
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October 18, 2016 at 9:51 pm
I’m in Southeast Michigan about an hour north of Detroit.
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October 18, 2016 at 9:53 pm
Oh … closer than I realized. 🙂
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October 18, 2016 at 10:46 am
Dawn, I’m just pea-green with envy that you’ve actually fed wild birds from your hand! That would be so cool. And how you managed to get a photo of it is just beyond me! What a lovely walk you’ve taken me on — thank you! Your part of the country is showing more signs of fall color than we are here, but since I so enjoy walking and taking photos, maybe I’ll take you up on your suggestion to participate in Robin’s walk this year!
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October 18, 2016 at 5:44 pm
The little birds were initially put off by me holding a big black thing up to my face…but they got brave when it didn’t move. I focused on my hand first, so all I had to do was hit the shutter when they arrived. I used the blurry one of the chickadee because I liked the movement in the wing. I had a few shots of chickadees that weren’t blurry but they weren’t as interesting.
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October 18, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Dawn, that was a STUNNING walk! Not just the color (though GORGEOUS) but all those BIRDS — the little ones on your hands (!!!), the hawk in the tree, and all the others. What a treasure of a park, and I don’t think anyone could have done it greater justice.
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October 18, 2016 at 5:46 pm
I love this park. It’s my favorite place to ride a bike, take a walk, run, picnic, take photos, just be. Thanks for the compliment. There are usually lots and lots of people out there with cameras with HUGE lenses – they’re shooting the blue herons, the eagles, the egrets, deer etc. They are dressed in camouflage, and have lots of equipment. They’re usually there very early in the morning. I avoid them by going mid-morning instead.
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October 18, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing! My birthday is Thursday, if the weather is nice I am going to go for a walk too, but might have to leave Mr.Dakota at home!
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October 18, 2016 at 5:48 pm
Yes….I have to leave Katie at home for these kinds of walks. I don’t tell her, but I think she knows anyway. I have to make it up to her by taking her somewhere special after. Or give her treats. Or both.
Happy birthday in 2 days! 🙂 🙂 🙂 I look forward to seeing where your walk takes you!
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October 18, 2016 at 11:40 pm
Thank you thank you for taking me along on your walk! What amazing photos- such beautiful foliage. A nuthatch eating out of your hand??? So amazing!! What are those large birds near the end with the red heads- I have never seen anything like them. You are so fortunate to be surrounded by such beauty and wonderful birds. Thank you for sharing I really enjoyed seeing every shot
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October 19, 2016 at 9:49 am
The big birds at the end of the post are sandhill cranes. They are usually around here in the spring through fall, but should be heading south soon. I never used to see them, and the past few years they’ve been everywhere.
Thank you for the kind words about the photos. It was a fun walk. You should go on a Walktober yourself…we’d love to see your part of the world! You can link to Robin’s blog or just leave her a comment that you’ve posted about your walk.
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October 19, 2016 at 10:46 am
Will do! Thanks
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October 22, 2016 at 7:57 pm
Wow. A beautiful walk. Thanks for sharing your Walktober with us.
No wonder you were so busy with your camera, so much to look at. I’ve had squirrels eating out of my hand before, but never birds. 😊
Really wonderful. I enjoyed wandering with you. 😊
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October 23, 2016 at 7:49 pm
Thanks for coming along with me! It’s a beautiful park.
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October 23, 2016 at 7:43 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed walking with you, Dawn. I loved seeing the beautiful fall colors and the sweet, brave birds. I’m glad you saved them from being Mr. Hawk’s meal!
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October 23, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Yes, they are very brave…and also very persistent in making sure they get whatever I’ve brought for them. I’m glad I saw the hawk too!
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November 1, 2016 at 7:24 am
Beautiful walk–and the bird eating from your hand! Thanks for sharing.
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November 1, 2016 at 8:14 am
You are welcome. thanks for coming along with me!
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November 1, 2016 at 8:19 am
🙂
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