Walk Notes: February 8th – 14th
Posting this late because I didn't find time over a very social birthday (Wietske's) weekend. Now feeling a little under the weather so just trying to stay on the tracks.
Monday
Sunrise: 8:08
It was misty and dark as we drove back from Wietske’s Dads concert last night. It made the road and the fields we passed feel foreboding. This morning, a residue of the mist still remained floating above the water of the canal, but it had become less anxiety inducing and more like a soft, ambiguous envelope over everything.
A dog walker came towards me with a bright orange scarf and it pierced the greyness with an intensity that made my eyes water. The Pelicans were shivering today, the cold and damp must be getting underneath their feathers.
Tuesday
Sunrise: 8:06
The pelicans were being fed as I stood on the bridge from the side of the road. I had never seen this happen before. A man with two buckets of fish stood on a little platform and gently tossed individual fish into the beaks of the hungry birds. Apparently the most common name for a group of pelicans is a pod but they are also known as a pouch, a scoop or a squadron.
After the man with the buckets of fish departed, the squadron dispelled amongst the water. A few lucky birds held a fish in their beak and paraded their catch in front of their friends/enemies/family. Some tried their luck at snatching the fish away, some succeeded.
The clever ones kept their beak shut, the only giveaway being the fish shaped bulge protruding from their beak pouch. Happy eating scoopers.
Wednesday
Sunrise: 8:05
We’re in a cloud this morning. It seems that no rain falls from the sky but the water collecting on the branches of the trees deliver the drops of water I expect from this type of weather. It’s distinctly dark but soft.
I’m beginning to recognise the regulars on my walks to and fro along the canal each morning. A small collection of the locals. Even though I have no idea where they live in relation to the canal, I enjoy that we all congregate by the canal between the hours of 7:45 and 8:30. It’s the first time living here that I have almost daily interactions with neighbours, which I enjoy immensely coming.
The pelicans were snapping at each other this morning, obviously something was troubling them. No fish today unfortunately but a mighty stench of stagnant muddy water hit me as I walked across the bridge so I didn’t stay for long.