I love the quiet calm of a weekend morning. Waking up early, fresh coffee and the quiet, calm of the morning is the greatest fuzzy, comfort way to start a day. Not just any day, but a Sunday!
Now, I have to admit, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. Life has been been a bit of a tornado for the last few weeks, and this was the first morning when the world felt like it was floating back to normal. It felt good. As I sipped on fresh coffee, Otis Redding was singing "Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa (sad song)". I began to day dream of where I was going to drive off to and explore with my camera. Then I thought such a beautiful morning shouldn't be wasted driving. I live right beside Fish Creek Park, literally 500 meters away. I began to think about how much I love it here. So the drive was thrown out and my hiking shoes were laced up. I filled up my travel mug, grabbed my camera bag and set off the explore my own back yard.
I didn't take long 'til I saw the first Osprey circling overhead. First one, then two, then finally three! As I walked a long the path I hoped they'd lower their orbits and get within lens range. In Fish Creek a few nest towers have been built in hope these predators will build on them so they won't use power poles and risk getting electrocuted. It has been very successful!
I camped out in front of the nest tower, waited, hoped, prayed for a landing. It didn't take long, maybe 25 minutes and I was rewarded with a landing. Now to say I was happy would be an understatement. I was ecstatic looking though the view finder watching one coming closer. I first thought she/he was flying with breakfast and as it came closer I realized it was holding a clump of grass. They were adding soft bedding for their nest.... for their soon to be laid eggs!
I couldn't believe this amazing natural scene was happening in the heart of Calgary, a stones throw from my own home! God smiled down on me this Sunday and gave me a great gift.
What's in your backyard neighbourhood? Maybe it needs to be explored by you!!!
"It has a sweet melody tonight
Anybody can sing it any old time
What in your heart puts you in a groove
And when you sing this song
It'll make you're whole body move, it goes
Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa" - Otis Redding
Home coming!