Ice

A couple of days ago I thought I'd take a walk. I needed to clear my head and absorb some of natures beauty. Staring out my window at my yard just wasn't cutting it for me. So, I went down to Lake View park. I always love watching the water break against the ice. The water was grey even though most of the sky was blue. I looked cold. Having grown up on the lake, I always find respite in staring at the deep waters of Lake Ontario. It doesn't matter if it is calm or windy, it always feels like coming home when I am on it's shores. I wanted to go out as far as I could, to be surrounded as much as I could with the water, but the pier is closed for the winter. I spotted a fellow explorer and watched with glee as he hopped the fence and on to the pier. Mob mentality I thought to myself and made my way up the beach. Much to my surprise the gate blocking the pier was open by about 3 feet. Truthfully the ice probably shifted it out of it's post, but I took it as a sign that I should go out. I walked along the pier staying directly in the middle, lest I slip and end up under the rail. The beauty of the ice took my breath away. I got out to the very end of the pier and looked around. It was beautiful. The sun was making the water glitter and though cold and starting to get windy, it was peaceful. I wished I could have stayed longer.

As I was about to leave I saw a Mallard duck swimming all alone way out from shore. I thought it odd that he (brightly coloured) would be so far from shore. I also wondered just how he could tolerate the freezing cold water. Suddenly he took flight and I followed him to see where he was going. He landed close to the ice in an ice cavern at the edge of the water. He was sheltered there. I thought it a tiny miracle that this duck could survive such harsh conditions all alone. No other ducks to be found. I suddenly wished I was a duck. So secure, using my surroundings to my benefit. Who would have thought I would be jealous of a duck. Scroll down for my pics :D

closed for winter..... unless it's open :D

Park bench on the pier.