Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Sunday Drive



My last post was about enjoying each day
and snapping out of the pre-spring blues.
What better thing to do  . . .
than go for a Sunday drive :)
This area has a wildlife refuge
and a State Park. 
We have this spot reserved for 
a May camping trip.
We just thought why not drive 
out here and have a peek at our spot.
Looks like there is a great place for
Steve to do the cooking, LOL
This cottonwood tree will be in our 
front yard . . . I better remember 
my allergy pills, just in case 
it is in bloom. 
John Wayne would have loved this country. 


Even the sagebrush looked pretty.


 This would be a prettier photo if not
for the litter bug,
why do people do that?
We saw an early fisherman.
Here's something interesting . . .
see that island.
I'm going to take you in closer . . .
 and closer.
At first we thought these were sea gulls,
but after getting closer 
we believe them to be wild swans.
Do any of you know why they group
up like that, in one spot on the water?


Well, that was our Sunday drive.
It's still cold here, but it sure
felt good to get outside and do something.
Butchy enjoyed a little walk in the park, too.

All in all a sweet day:)

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

48 comments:

  1. That was a nice drive. I am amazed at all the swans!!

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    1. We were too! It was a surprise, at first we thought they were seagulls, until we got home and enlarged the photos:)

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  2. Great photos! What a pretty place you have to camp. I have seen Canadian Geese group like that around here in the spring and fall when they are traveling to and from the south, but they don't usually group on the water, it's usually in a mowed down or freshly plowed corn field around here!

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    1. It felt good to get out of the house and go for a drive. This place is only about 30 minutes from our home, but will be a nice place to start our camping this year. We have friends that we are meeting there so I know it's going to be a fun time.

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  3. Nice drive Connie. Beautiful photos. It looks so peaceful there.

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    1. There weren't many people out and about, so it was a very peaceful and beautiful drive. The sun was out for about half the day but our weather is still pretty cold.

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  4. Hi Connie, I saw your comment over at Iam's blog, and it reminded me that I've been MIA from your blog for way too long. I certainly enjoyed your Sunday drive, and you are a fantastic photographer. Some awfully pretty pictures, and I can understand you can't wait til May to get out this open space and enjoy some fresh air. Very scenic, so TFSharing. Hugs & hope all has been well with you.

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    1. We really did have a mild winter compared to the one the year before, it's just that it's dragging on and I'm ready (like everyone else) for Spring. Getting the camper ready, started getting my mind set on camping . . . so now I'm waiting on better weather :) It's wonderful to have you stop by . . . here's wishing you a lovely week.

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  5. Hi Connie awesome photos,so many beautiful spots,thankyou for sharing with us xx

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it . . . thanks for tagging along :)

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  6. How wonderful you were able to get out and enjoy the scenery. We haven't any green showing around here so it was nice to see some in your photos.

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    1. There is a little bit poking through here and there . . . little signs of spring. By April we will probably start mowing the lawn:)

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  7. Great pictures. We went for a drive yesterday because it was so beautiful here in Spokane. Those swans are amazing. I’ve never seen that before.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. We were surprised at them. Honestly I have seen them before and didn't even realize that they were birds. I remember thinking those white rocks must be right under the water in the summer, a danger to boaters, LOL.

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  8. A change of scenery often leads to a different outlook, I think. I wonder how different your camp site will look in the summer. The swan gathering is astounding - I've never seen anything like that. Here's hoping it soon warms up a little.

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    1. Oh, it will look different . . . greener, shadier, and filled with campers enjoyed the outdoors :)

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  9. You took us on a wonderful drive and shared something that I have never come across before, the swans. What a delight. You certainly have picked out a beautiful sport for your camping trip later in the year.

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    1. We have friends that camp there every year in May and when we got our camper they suggested we join them. It will be fun, they love playing games and I'm looking forward to playing with them as well as dutch oven dinners and sitting around visiting.

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  10. What better to shoo away those pre-spring blues than go for a lovely Sunday drive. Beautiful country, Connie and lovely photos. My goodness, look at all those swans, amazing!

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    1. It felt wonderful getting out for that drive. I'm getting cabin fever and needed some fresh air and new scenery :)

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  11. That looks like a nice spot for camping. That is fascinating with the swans. If you find out why they do that I would love to hear about it.

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    1. I'll try and remember to post it, if I ever find out. I do have a couple friends in the Audubon Society, next time I see them I need to remember and ask.

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  12. Looks like you've chosen a great spot for your May camping. Each season has its own special beauty. Loved seeing the swans.
    Wn

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    1. Thanks for the visit . . . it was nice just taking that little drive and getting outside.

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  13. The swans are amazing, I dont think I have seen a gathering like that. How nice your camp site looks.

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    1. They were amazing . . . we are looking so forward to camping and then sometime this year to Steve's retirement :) It will be sweet to have him home and more relaxed.












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  14. Good Morning Connie, Your drive sounds wonderful! I love going for drives in the country but it seems we don't do it very often. Seems like we are always doing what we have to do or don't have the energy. We need to take time to do that this spring Even with allergies it is so wonderful to see things coming into bloom. The picture of the swans sure did look like an island. Interesting! I hope you have a wonderful time camping there in May! Taking our furbaby with us was one thing I loved about having a fifth-wheel. They are family! Hugs, Nancy

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    1. Butchy loves camping, we are more relaxed and without the chores of home . . . so we take more walks and he loves that :) We do the same thing . . . get caught up in the day to day things and rarely ever just go for a drive. Steve mentioned it Sunday, and I was on it like honey on a biscuit . . . yes, yes, yes . . . grabbed my coat before he had a chance to change his mind, LOL

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  15. I think getting out and changing your surroundings does a world of good. And you're right, these last Winter days seem to drag by but we should be thankful and find beauty in every day the Lord gives us.
    xx Beca

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    1. Absolutely! I am embarrassed at how often I loose sight of that. He has given me another day and I should never waste it or complain about something as silly as the weather.

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  16. Beautiful weather for a drive and you got some fantastic pictures along the way.
    That 'island' is amazing. Wow!! Never seen so many swans in any one place.

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    1. We were amazed too:) I did think it was an island of rocks, until Steve said looking closer those are birds.

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  17. What a lovely post! I love the idea of planning your May camping. Your photos are gorgeous. What beautiful countryside you have around you. Thanks Connie! I'll be back!

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    1. Welcome! I always enjoy seeing new faces on my blog. We are looking so forward to camping this year . . . campfires, rest and relaxation, leaving our worries at home :)

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  18. I can tell you two are itching to get to the camping!! Looks like a great spot and such beautiful views. I believe the birds are actually snow geese and are migrating north to the tundra. Here is a link to Cornell Ornithology with info on them: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/snow_goose That one bird in flight gives them away as geese with his black tipped wings. This was an amazing sighting!! They must have been making quite a racket!
    Wendy

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    1. I'll bet you are right. Steve thought they were swans and I had no idea . . . neither one of us is an expert on bird life. They were very interesting though.

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  19. Pretty pictures! I think your white birds are actually snow geese rather than swans. They are most likely migrating through the area, and stay in a group for safety reasons!

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    1. Wendy, I think that you are right about that. I'm going to look up snow geese but that seems more logical that swans. We were actually guessing, we are not bird expects. They did look amazing out there on the water.

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  20. Hey Connie, great photos, you'll have a lovely time camping there in may. Great pic of the geese on the water, what a treat to see them. Hope the temps start to warm up soon for you. Here in Oz, things are cooling down a little with the arrival of Autumn. Trees are starting to colour up and the Summer vegie garden is slowing down......xx Sweet Birdy Love

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    1. Good Morning Claire, so do you do any canning, maybe you call it bottling there, of your fruits and vegetables? We just started doing that two years ago. We have only had our little country place with room to grow a garden for 4 years now and I have falling in love with raising a garden and eating from it. The freshest is incredible :)

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  21. A group of swans is called a bevy. I found this online “They are extremely territorial with only a single pair of adults sharing the same area of water, although unpaired swans will often flock together.”
    So it looks like theres a singles convention going on. Hahaha
    Lisa

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    1. Hi Lisa, my husband thought they were swans, and I had no idea that he might be guessing . . . the fact is that now we have discovered that they are Canadian Snow Geese. Whatever we call them we have to admit that they are beautiful and look very interesting out there flocked up like that :) Thank you for taking the time to look that up, sorry that I steered you in the wrong direction.

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  22. It is always nice to get away for awhile and enjoy the outdoors. Looks like you found a great place to camp, I do like to camp near the water. I wonder if what they like to eat was in that area, they are pretty!

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  23. You are fortunate to have such a gorgeous area so close to you. Unfortunately, trash has become a way of the world. It's everywhere. No litter laws here in Kuwait so I'm disgusted with every step I take when I'm out and about. Amazing picture of that flock of birds. I do love bird watching.

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    1. We have litter laws, but I guess they are low on the list of laws actually being enforced. It is a shame that people don't respect the beauty of their country enough to not litter.

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  24. I found your blog at Mari's Little Corner. Love this post. You had me at John Wayne! Beautiful photographs. The one with the birds is just stunning.

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  25. It's always fun to get out and about ........... sigh......... and dream about the warmer days and CAMPING (with your RV of course!). I love the Columbia River up in that area.. how it twists and turns and all the rock outcroppings. Is that the campground where you will camp? How fun to dream. xoxoxo Marilyn

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