Winter is Waning

Some bright light on the
horizon this morning, makes
me optimistic

~ carliewired

I was making my coffee just after 7 this morning. There was almost enough light from my windows not to need to switch the kitchen lights on....almost. I am encouraged to see our hours of light increase now. I can think that winter is on the way out. 

I went out on the deck to catch the sunrise at 7:50 AM. It was calm and -4 C. I had some hopes to find some sunshine when I was out this morning. 

I parked near the tennis courts in Riverside Park at 10:00. I brought my breakfast with me and sipped my second coffee while I watched a city worker cleaning snow away from the courts with a shovel. I wanted to ask her when the pickle ball game would be starting but I thought that would be a bit cheeky. 

I took my usual walk past the Uji Garden and the Celtic Stones to the bike path on the west side of the park. I started up but soon met a very vocal squirrel in a tree above the pathway. I haven't seen a squirrel anywhere in many weeks so I was quite surprised to find this one. 

As I walked up the bike path I was again surprised. This time it was the encampment beside the survivor tree in the river that really got my attention.  Our overnight temperatures have been in the range of - 6 C of late, but the windchill factor is always in play along the river. I can't imagine 'winter camping'. I suppose this area has no restrictions or monitoring. 

I walked halfway to the Overlander Bridge to get a good view of the confluence of the rivers. There were some trumpeter swans and mallards fishing on the river. The mallard ducks seem to be the escorts for the swans. 

I enjoyed my comfortable walk in sunshine this morning. I made a brief stop at the office and was home for 11 AM. I'm home for a leisurely day. 

We have a day of mixed sun and cloud with a high of 0 C. I suspect we'll exceed that temperature. It will be a chilly overnight with a low of - 13 C. My thoughts are with those sleeping by the river.