Les at A Tidewater Gardener annually hosts a Winter Walk-Off meme, and I've participated several times. I frequently find myself heading down to Lake Waubesa, which is only a couple of blocks from my house. It's interesting to look back at previous posts and see the conditions of the lake at this time of year. The local news folks are now talking about the end of 2018 ice fishing and the beginnings of the boating season.
One thing is different this year: We have a new boardwalk trail, which I posted about last fall and I can't wait to hike repeatedly this spring, summer, and fall. It's really quite wonderful. I've walked it a few times during the winter, and recently took a walk along it for Les's meme.
As you'll see, the shoreline was pretty in the bright afternoon sun. Also, the waterfowl and the ice-fishers were plentiful--within short distances of each other!
Yes, it won't be long now until the boaters take over the lake! Happy spring! And thanks to Les for hosting this excellent meme!
I know the ice is thinning and waterfowl are returning but it still looks mighty cold to me. Maybe because I am sitting here feeling cool. ha... How nice to have such a lovely place to walk.
ReplyDeleteIt was and it is. Actually, the day I walked and a few days afterward were warmer than today. But the forecast has some warmer days ahead. The walkway is awesome. :)
DeleteOh gosh, it still looks cold though! It’s good to see the signs of Spring. Here’s to many happy walks on that boardwalk trail.
ReplyDeleteYes, spring usually doesn't set in here until April. March is a really changeable month here--cold, then warm, then cold. It's the leap-frog game. ;-) Thanks: I really like the boardwalk. So does everyone else, so it's best to walk it during off times.
DeleteLooks cold to me, but beautiful. The boardwalk sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt was cold, and it is today, too. But much warmer than January! ;-)
DeleteIs hard is it for me to say, I am glad both of us have had a winter. There may be a time when our children and grandchildren may long for cold weather. However, I am also glad things may be thawing out for you. We are experience some wet sloppy snow as I write this. Thanks for joining in!
ReplyDeleteI know: I have similar feelings about winter and climate change. I'm sad about what the warming means for migrating species and native plants and insects. But I've never been a huge fan of winter, myself. Thanks for hosting the meme, Les!
DeleteWhat a statement those red-twig dogwoods make. Snow is melting in the sunniest part of my garden.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Dogwoods really pop at this time of year, don't they?! Snow is almost gone here, too. I hope this will be the end of it for the season, but I know we might have more before spring really sets in.
DeleteWhat a wonderful addition to your lake shoreline! I could easily make a habit of that walk.
ReplyDeleteYes, the boardwalk is really nice. It gets a little too busy during peak times, but it's awesome in the middle of the day on a week day.
DeleteI loved this Beth . . .
ReplyDeleteWonderful post . . .
Best part of my day is my walk . . .
It “gifts” my eyes, ears, mind, body, soul . . .
Lovely place for your walk . . .
Thanks, Lynne. Good for you! I need to be better about walking in winter. That's when I get really lazy. You can't keep me inside during the other season. ;-)
DeleteThanks for taking us along on your walk. What a treat to have a boardwalk trail to walk year round. It's interesting to see the lake in transition.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Yes, the boardwalk is really nice. It seems like everyone really likes it. For folks who bike, it offers a safe, quick route to the other side of town.
DeleteI've been catching up with some of your posts Beth and I like how your are focusing on colour whatever the season. The icy blues in this wintry walk are very pretty especially when contrasting with the red browns of dry grasses. I also enjoyed going back over this walk when your first featured it in October. From the map I can see what a boon this is joining the two points of land so that you do not have to drive round to the other side. Hope the ice fishers can soon pack up and take to their boats!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura: Thanks for your kind comments. Yes, there is beauty in winter, for sure. If only it was a little more comfortable. Actually, it's not too bad now, with a warm coat, a scarf, and warm boots. January here is not fun. ;-) I imagine the ice fishers will be pulling their shacks off the lake in the next few days.
DeleteBeth, it's so pretty I can hardly stand it. I need to walk in winter any day I can because I feel so cooped up inside. Soon, you'll be able to plant too. ~~Dee
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dee! I know: I get the same feelings in winter. Sometimes I make myself go to a greenhouse or a shopping center, or anywhere to get out of the house. This time of year is getting a little better. Planting in pots will start soon. Planting in the ground will have to wait until May, but there's plenty of fun stuff to do outside very soon!
DeleteA beautiful walk and it looks like the day was a promise of days to come with the blue, clear sky. Great shots, thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: Yes, it was a beautiful day. Spring is on the way. Thanks!
DeleteSo cold, still fun to see. It's a very pretty place and so nice to have it nearby.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have ice fishing in South Texas. We did see the shacks on Lake Champlain one year. It was strange to see all the trucks parked out on the ice.
Hi Shirley: It is wild to see the fishing shacks on the lake. Where I grew up in N. Wisconsin, people actually drove cars onto the lake! I remember doing that as a kid, and it was crazy!
DeleteWhat a lovely day! All the red (of what I'm guessing is red twig dogwood?) is so stunning a contrast against the woods. What a nice place to walk.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Red-Twig Dogwoods are really brilliant now. They are a wonderful pop of color this time of year. :)
DeleteSpring is on the way! Yay!
ReplyDeleteYes! It won't be long now, Carla. :)
DeleteLove days like that down by the Lake. You can start to feel the heat of the sun through your winter coat. So much fun to see those water birds waddle-waddle-plop through the thin ice. We had fools out kayaking and board paddling. Proof positive that the cold really can provoke madness.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, Barb! It really does start to feel warmer even though it's cold at the end of the winter. We have a lot of students in town who wear shorts and flip-flops on just about any sunny day. ;-)
DeleteNow I'm missing Madison and its lakes. Judy and I were just talking about doing a driving vacation where we go round Lake Michigan. Maybe we'll stop in Madison on the way home.
ReplyDeleteYes, the lakes are great. A Lake Michigan tour--sounds wonderful! My family did that several times when I was a little kid. Let me know when you're planning to drive through Madison so you can stop over or we can meet for lunch or dinner. :)
DeleteBeautiful photos, as always. I especially like the fourth, which looks very wintry still. I was surprised by all the ice fisher-people ... we have them too, but never in that number! The season ended here several weeks ago, in keeping with our mild winter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hollis. Winter tries to hang on as long as it can, doesn't it? We had a weird winter--mild in December and then next to no snow in January, followed by snow and normal temps for the rest of the winter. Things are getting a little better now--50s next week. Yay!
DeleteBeautiful scenery
ReplyDeleteThank you, Endah! I like where I live, but the cold and snow get old by February. ;-)
DeleteI envy you the boardwalk trail, Beth. It is so peaceful to walk near water. You live in a beautiful area. P. x
ReplyDeletePam: It really is a wonderful new boardwalk! It gets a little busy with traffic (bikes and walkers) on nice-weather weekends. I'll have to take the trail more during the week. Yes, this part of Wisconsin is pretty nice. :)
DeleteBeautiful images!
ReplyDeleteThe sixth one (the tree hanging over the water) is my favorite
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Lea: Thanks! I really like that tree, too. It seems like it has some stories to tell.
DeleteLovely views! I don't walk during the winter time, but maybe if I had such a scenic place to walk, I would be more motivated. Hope you are enjoying the sights in Charleston!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. I don't walk much during the winter, either, but if the weather is OK and the ice is melted, sometimes I venture out. Charleston and Savannah are wonderful! Blog coverage to come soon. :)
DeleteThe Boardwalk is great, and so are your wintry, pre-spring images! I love the photos of the waterfowl.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb. Yes, I think it's time to get out there for a walk again soon--the scenery changes so fast! There are always many birds on the lakes and waterways in Madison. :)
DeleteBeth, how nice to have the boardwalk along the lake. What a great place to stroll. Love the wide views that the lake offers. The redtwig dogwood just pops in the woods along the water's edge. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet: Yes, it's great to have these hiking options so close to home. The lakes in Madison are wonderful! ;-)
Deletefor the first time I stopped being lazy and incurious and looked up where you are on a map. Surprised that you're a similar latitude as Montreal, no wonder it gets cold. How wonderful to be so close to that lake, with the scenic beauty and the new boardwalk trail.
ReplyDeleteHi Catmint: Actually, our latitude is closer to Toronto or Detroit, which is still cold. But in a cold climate, a couple of degrees latitude can make a big difference. ;-) But we certainly get four full seasons. The new biking/walking bridge is awesome!
DeleteBeautiful photos from spcer, but I hope that winter will leave you and spring will come. I am also waiting for her with us longing. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteHi Giga: Winter is slowly leaving us. We will still have some cold weather next week, but I have a feeling after that spring will bounce forward. The lake is open now. :)
DeleteA true winter landscape. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Georgia! Yes, I'm a little behind with posting as we were out of town for a while. These photos were taken about a month ago and it's looking a little more springy around here now...a little. But our winters are pretty, even if they are cold. :)
DeleteThe sun glimmering on the ice is beautiful. I grew up on a small lake and still miss the sun and moon dazzle on the water and the mallards and Canada geese (as well as visitors each spring and fall like pintails and blue winged teals).
ReplyDeleteThose red twig dogwoods are stunning and really stand out!