Wetland walkies

 Rolling Thunder descending on Ottawa April 29/30th

Well, a new day dawns. Ottawa anticipates this Rolling Thunder rally downtown. It is a rally meant to imitate the annual Washington one. It is stirring people up, and the wackadoodles are coming out of the wood work. They've arrested a couple of people, whose bail conditions forbid them from being in downtown Ottawa from the last time they invaded the downtown core. We shall see what unfolds over the weekend. It is Isabelle's birthday party, and one of the outer ring routes recommended by the instigators runs through Bells Corners. They have designated residential locations to park. 

The exclusion zone is in effect now, with ticketing and towing of parked vehicles beginning this morning. People who work there have to show police why they are there, so says our local CBC radio host. I hope nothing happens this time. Such a waste of gas, noise and air pollution.

Wetland Walkies

Cinnamon and I went walkies around the forest. I find the wetland so beautiful, especially over the seasons. Cinnamon ran down another day, hoping to visit the island. I had to explain that we've lost our ice bridge and it is pretty wet. He reluctantly came along and we followed the shoreline.

This is a view across the middle of the wetland, all the brown is where the green bulrushes come up, and then the forest on the other side. The mosses on the dead trees is so green. 

The mosses thrive in this weather. The greens are heart warming! 

The edge of the wetland gives a good view of the forest beyond. Soon it'll all be grown, and the forest invisible.

Cinnamon had his regular visit to this tree. I'm thinking he thinks he's part doggie, except for when he roars up a tree! 

Cinnamon in the wetland 

Cinnamon in the wetland from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

When we approached the frog pond, there were two pair of mallards on it, as well as 4 - 6 other ducks who flew off in disgust. The trailcam shows a male wood duck as he walks from the wetland (left) to the frog pond. 

wood duck walking from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

This is where the ducks like to be, when they aren't on the frog pond.

I loved the pattern of these roots and mossy branches. 

Back at the house, the Lenten Lily is blooming! I'm sure Anvilcloud could tell me how to get on my belly and snag a better photo, but that isn't going to happen! I do have an archived photo of it from 2017!

I just noticed that the little clump of crocus (above photo, middle right, behind the lily) is down to only one flower. Ah well. I have photos of them from 2018!

The bird bath is leaking. I noticed, when I looked out at the mourning doves. I still have some cement dust and I'll empty it. Repairs will have to wait until this cold spell stops. It's not bad in the day, but overnight we are dipping below zero. Good to have projects.

@Red asked why there aren't any riparian plants around the frog pond. It is a vernal pond, and often dries up in summer. I have left it natural, and this is the way it's been for a kazillion years.

P.S. JB's PSA test was the same as last time. We are good for another 3 months. He'll have his regular cancer treatment (Lupron) next week.