Dinner For One

Yummy! Dinner at a bird feeder station on Welland’s Merritt Island earlier this week. Eat in or takeout, whatever the diner prefers! /Photos by Joe Barkovich.

Frozen In Time

My early morning walk companion Ron Lemon and I set out along Merritt Island’s upper trail before the biting, numbing cold convinced us to stop in our tracks and head back. But the beauty that had unfolded with each step we made left lingering memories of nature’s artistry./ Photos by Joe Barkovich.

Frozen In Time

The scenery was breathtaking along Welland’s Merritt Island early this morning thanks to vestiges of the winter storm earlier in the week and the continuing cold temps (-17 when this photo was taken) – brrr! Only a handful of walkers were out early to test the elements but they were rewarded for their bravery and commitment to the trail, rewarded with sights, still frozen in time, that left nature’s admirers in wide-eyed awe. More to follow. / Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Trail Walk: Merritt Island

The setting was a calming mellow yellow on our walk along the Merritt Island lower trail in Welland Tuesday afternoon./Photos by Joe Barkovich.

That Landmark Limb

Seasons on the trail: Recently it came as bit of a surprise to be reminded I have three seasonal photos in my archive showing a favourite piece of the lower trail on Merritt Island. It’s where a large limb extends from one side of the beautiful walkway across to the other, and it is visible from a distance, becoming after so many walks down the trail, something to look forward to. I like thinking of it as a landmark, of sorts, letting walkers know where on the trail they are. But I was missing one seasonal photo: summer. So I went to the island Thursday, June 24, to walk this part of the trail and to photograph the section with the tree limb extending across it, thereby to complete the seasonal compilation, even if it was by circumstance more so than long-term plan or design. This is a charming stretch of trail, serpentine in part, always with great visual appeal, partly because of the palette of hues depending on season and of course that landmark limb. For this four-season visitor, a favourite feature of the lower trail. The photos, clockwise from top left: summer, autumn, winter, spring. (Text, photos by Joe Barkovich)

Feeding Time

Merritt Island trail walker Ron (last name not provided) had birds like this Black-capped Chickadee eating from the palm of his hand during an outing Monday. He said he also frequents Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, for similar encounters. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Trail Mix

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  A few of our feathered friends spotted on Merritt Island’s lower trail this morning./Photos by Joe Barkovich.

Mellow, Mellow Yellow

Spectacular display of colour greets walkers along the Steve Bauer trail, this scene spotted while on Woodlawn Road near Clare Avenue, Welland, earlier today. Welcome, autumn! /Photo by Joe Barkovich..