As the weather warms and Spring is really here for us in the Boreal Forest Region of Canada, I started heading more into the woodlands recently released from a deep cover of snow.
I walked down through the pine meadow behind our house and also went for a walk past the pond and up to the hilltop which is Bruno, our German Shepard Dog, favorite spot!
View From the Hill
At the pond I've seen a pair of ducks there daily so that must be where they are nesting. It's hard to get a close up for they fly off once we get too close.
I did manage to zoom in on this male mallard duck swimming in the pond and later I caught some ducks in flight!
Male Mallard Duck Swimming in the Pond
3 Mallard Ducks Flying Above the Tree Tops
Although the ducks would take off the spring peepers continued their courting sounds, along with a chorus of birds with a solo by the black bird. Have a listen...
Here is one of the song birds who was part of the choir.
Silhouette of Song Bird Singing
I was having fun trying the creative filter feature on my camera and took a shot of the pond to see how it would come out - what do you think?
The Pond Sublime in Near Black and White
Once we got to the hill top we once again got to view the lake - spectacular view! Although the smaller pond was open the lake was only just starting to have the ice recede from the shores.
Bruno couldn't resist having a roll (actually a few) in the grass and there were so many new scents for him to smell with the snow gone.
Bruno Rolling in the Dry Grass View of Lake Behind
Bruno Sitting Handsome on the Hill Top
View of the Partially Frozen Lake From the Hill Top
Sheet of Ice Starting to Recede From the Shore
Back in the yard JJ greeted us - he loves to have dirt baths in the newly open ground.
JJ Getting Belly Rubs
Then he headed to the pine meadow behind our house and surveyed the trail.
JJ Sitting on Picnic Table Surveying Trail
I tried that creative feature on my camera on that scene of JJ and it made a nice effect...
As we got deeper into the forest there is a trail through the moss under the spruce trees. I took a few shots and tried out my creative feature on the camera with some wonderful results.
Trail Into Mossy Spruce Forest
Here is one more from that creative feature more of a close up of the spruce tree trunks.
And a couple more of that spruce forest -
Along that trail was a moss and lichen covered stump surrounded by young spruce trees ready to grow and replace that fallen tree.
Moss and Lichen Covered Stump Among the Young Spruce Trees
Back in the yard we were treated with a chorus of birds and the house finches were still visiting the feeder and sitting in the trees waiting their turn at the feeder
House Finches Waiting in Maple Tree for Their Turn at the Feeder
Finch Eating Poplar Tree Buds
Another bird that I had been hearing it's melodic voice echoing in the trees is the white throated sparrow. I finally got a close look at it when it came to the feeder. It wasn't easy to get a shot for they flitted around so much but I got a few.
Close Up White Throated Sparrow
Looking up at the sky the moon was out so I captured a few shots.
Close Up of the Moon Showing Details With Creators
My dog got me up in the night so I got a few shots of the bright moon coming over the spruce trees.
Moon With Bright Orange Glow Shines Above the Spruce Tree Tops
I'll be sharing more of those along with my shots of the full moon in the next post with some full moon fun!
This is my #WednesdayWalk hosted by 
Also my Amazing Nature Contest May #1 entry. See details here
And my entry to 
The photos were taken with my Canon PowerShot SX60 HS.
Thanks for stopping by!
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