April Walk beside the River (Part 1)

Dedicated with Love
to Pam Heinz who passed away Oct 11. 2013

April 16th 2011 A weekend walk down by the South Saskatchewan River. Medicine Hat has some very old and beautiful trees. This was a hard winter 2010-2011 taking it's toll on both flora and fauna. A cloudy overcast day.

 I love the colors of the trees and grass. Golds and Reds and Browns.

 I met a friend who was also walking down beside the river.

 I passed under the Twin Trans Canada Bridge and headed west. The ground was moist with mud from recent high levels from the Spring break up and run off. Only a week or so ago the river was still iced over.

 Another friend the Robin who hasn't been seen since last Fall. Looking very fat and well fed I must say! A welcome sight indicating, yes, Spring is finally here!

 When the flood waters rise, the debris rises with them. This tree has caught a new coat!

 My friend Canada Goose decided the water's great and waddled in for a swim.

 Passing between the Twin Bridges. The river looks calm and serene but we locals know it can be a deadly river.

 River bubbles and the river current flows eastward.

 Very soft mud under the bridges. Many prints of Deer feet there.

 A slight mist indicating snow on the way.

 The Path ahead...and today, no others, just me and my nature friends.

 The Sun is at about 4 o'clock and I'm walking west.

 Deadfall ahead.

 A winter home for my nature friends! Such engineers and what a perfect circle.

 A closer look!

 Looking to the North on shore there is a deep cut into Mother natures back.

 Sight of the Power Plant and a break in the trees.

 Such old trees with many interesting cuts and marks. The bark is beautiful.

The winter has taken off this old trees skin. A pure white trunk showing under the thick bark. To the South I see the power plant.