Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #30! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, or tea, hot chocolate, or a cold drink at my coffee station and let’s chat.
It was a fantastic week with a mix of sunny days and some showers. I enjoyed cycling, walking, playing disc golf, strength training, meditation, yoga, learning French and Spanish, watching Olympic highlights, photography, reading and writing. I went canoeing and kayaking. I had a few nice surprises.
1. A Red-Tailed Hawk
One morning as I cycled to Ontario Place to go kayaking, I spotted a hawk on a fence post. I turned my bike around to get a good look. I’ve seen hawks in Toronto before but this was the first time I was about 2m (6 ft) from a calm red-tailed hawk. What a thrill to observe this beauty up close!
2. Dr. Duke Redbird
I continued cycling to the South Marina. Dr. Duke Redbird was at the Big House Canoe (Wigwam Chi-Chemung) that I wrote about here. I said hello and we chatted. As a few ducks swam towards us, he mentioned that they like oatmeal. It was an unexpected and nice encounter with Dr. Redbird at his houseboat.
3. A Great Blue Heron
I picked up my kayak rental and paddled for about two hours. I saw many colourful fish amid green aquatic plants. Blue and red dragonflies flitted around me and some of them landed on my kayak.
At the Fish Habitat, I saw a Great Blue Heron! This stately heron with its subtle blue-gray plumage stood motionless as it scanned for prey. I paddled quietly to get closer and we watched each other in silence.
I paddled away and when I circled back, the Great Blue Heron was still there. It moved from the tree log to the river bank, to the rock, and flew to a small island in the Habitat before I left.
4. Other Aquatic Life
I saw cormorants, a variety of ducks, and a muted swan. The cormorants are swift divers. The ducks and the swan were less shy and let me take their photos. Some of the ducks swam merrily alongside my kayak. I love it when they do that.
The water was so calm and clear, I could see the bottom of the lagoon. I also got a close-up view of green floating mats and white water crowfoot flowers.
5. Over Floe by John Notten
My kayaking fun continued as I paddled to Over Floe, a floating art creation by John Notten. He also designed the Plant It Forward urban garden sculpture that I shared in my previous post. I was glad to see this interesting art exhibit first on the water.
Then from land after I finished kayaking. Here are two views of Over Floe and what Notten says about each view. Click on each image to enlarge it.
Front view 
Rear view 
It was a wonderful outing. I had a blast!
Linked to #LifeThisWeek, #PPAC7, #TreeSquare30, #WWE90.
How was your week? I’d love to hear your comments.
Copyright © 2023 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
It looks like a lovely spot Natalie – and having that encounter with the heron made it even more special. I remember going canoeing on our river and paddling along in the wake of a black swan – it felt quite ethereal.
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Hi Leanne, Paddling along in the wake of a black swan sounds wonderful. It was great for me to see the hawk and heron up close and they stayed so calm. Normally they fly away.
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How absolutely wonderful to catch beautiful creatures of nature as closely as you did and then to chat to Dr Redbird. A beautiful scenic day out leaving memories for a very long time. Summer suits your city right now. Denyse
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Hi Denyse, It’s been a wonderful summer for me to see wildlife and nature up close. Meeting Dr. Redbird was a highlight, too. Have a great weekend!
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Thank you for linking up this week for #LifeThisWeek. Glad you could join in. Hope to see you next Monday. Cheers, Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse. Hope to see you at the link-up.
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How fun!! The red tailed hawk is just amazing. We used too have three red tailed hawks visiting our place in CA on a regular basis. They are magnificent indeed! Kayaking is so much fun, and all the gorgeous plants and animals one see, all while quietly enjoying the day. Wonderful!!
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How wonderful to have regular visits from three hawks! It was great that the red-tailed hawk and the great blue heron stayed so calm when I saw them. Usually they fly away before I can get a good photo. Have a great weekend!
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Wonderful photos, Natalie!
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Thank you, Dan, for your comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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What a fun outing! Your photographs are wonderful, Natalie. The red-tailed hawk is magnificent! We have a few Great Blue Herons that live around the lake behind our home. Watching them in flight is a thing of beauty. Thanks for sharing!
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Jill, How wonderful to have a few Great Blue Herons around the lake behind your home! They’re beautiful birds. I was lucky to see a calm red-tailed hawk so close. Usually they’re high up or fly away before I can get a good photo. Have a great weekend!
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That hawk is amazing and you have some wonderful shots of the heron too!
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Thank you, Sarah, for your comment. I was pleasantly surprised that the red-tailed hawk stayed calm the whole time for me to take photos. Same with the heron. Have a great weekend!
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Great photo of that hawk Natalie. We have lots of white and blue heron’s around almost any standing water here in Sonoma County and I love seeing them on almost any drive that passes water. Gorgeous birds.
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Thank you, Gary, for your comment. How wonderful that you have lots of white and blue herons in your county. They’re beautiful birds. I was pleasantly surprised that the red-tailed hawk stayed calm the whole time for me to take photos.
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This must be the summer of the heron. Those birds seem to be thriving everywhere. Or maybe I’ve just become aware of them. Regardless, your photos are great.
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Thank you, Ally. I’m glad you liked my photos. I was pleasantly surprised that the red-tailed hawk and the great blue heron stayed calm the whole time for me to take photos, especially the hawk because I was quite close to it.
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Great photos as always. I drove to Rochester, NY from North Central PA every weeks from September through May, excluding Christmas for four years of seminary. I always noticed the hawks, but at my 65 mph, could not stop. I love the heron too. We don’t fish together as much as we used to but would often notice heron on the side of the lake or flying over top. I always think there is something prehistoric looking about them. Coffee Share 30, where has the time gone? Best, Michele
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Michele, When the great blue herons fly, they look like flying dinosaurs with their wide wing span. I was pleasantly surprised that the red-tailed hawk and the great blue heron stayed calm for me to take their photos. Hard to believe but yes, we’re at Coffee Share #30 and August is around the corner. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks Natalie, I am glad to know that I am not crazy for thinking that. I need to get back to that lake soon, it has been years. Michele
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If the lake is not far from your place, perhaps make a day outing in late summer or fall to see autumn foliage.
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That is a great suggestion. There are actually several lakes near us as well as State Parks. My favorite is only a 45 minute drive, so we will plan on it.
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Sounds like an excellent plan.
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Love the photos of the birds. So great to get a close up of the hawk.
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I was pleased to see the hawk and heron up close and they both stayed calm.
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Natalie thanks for joining in. Those floating structures may be the most out of the box art I’ve ever seen. What an amazing imagination and sense of consciousness and community concern. They are lovely. Thanks for joining in this week, Natalia. 🙂
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Marsha, I’m glad you like Over Floe. I liked its originality and thought-provoking message. I stumbled upon it while kayaking. It was an outing full of nice surprises. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare 🙂
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My pleasure. Is that display there permanently or will it travel?
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It’s a temporary display until Fall this year. After the exhibit ends, the artwork (styrofoam) will be recycled and repurposed at a specialized facility.
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How sad! Repurposed. It’s adorable! It should travel. 🙂
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Oh what a fun post to look through. Those floating structures are so cool 😀
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Thank you, Cee, for your comment. I’m glad you like Over Floe art structures. I discovered them at the end of my kayaking trip. Have a great weekend!
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Oh, I love all those photos, that over floe is really cool. It looks like you have some fun places to enjoy nature in the city.
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Thank you, Kirstin, for your comment. I feel grateful to have easy access to nature and urban life. Have a great weekend!
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Gorgeous shots Natalie. Herons are quite lovely birds aren’t they. Very stately I think. Have a beautiful weekend and enjoy.
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Thank you, Sue, for your compliment. I’m glad you liked my photos. I was pleasantly surprised that the hawk and heron stayed calm and didn’t fly away when I approached them. Have a great weekend!
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Those shots of the heron are just perfect!
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Thank you. I think that heron was busy eyeing the fish 🙂
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Great photo of the hawk! And yet again, you sell us Toronto as a place to visit.
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I was pleasantly surprised that the hawk was so calm. I left before it did. Glad to have my blog readers consider Toronto as a place to visit.
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Great photographs Natalie!
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Thank you, Shari, for your comment. i greatly appreciate it.
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I love all the birds you’ve seen and the Over Floe installation. The Toronto Tourist Board needs to hire you.
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Thank you, Susan, for your comment. I’m glad you like Toronto through my lens.
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That looks like a wonderful outing! The hawk was so nice to sit calmly for his photo session 🙂
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The hawk was in his best suit and on his best behaviour without my coaching. I was impressed 🙂
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You find the most amazing sites to share with us Natalie, I just love reading your posts to see what you’ve been up to! That hawk is amazing and what a great capture, you were so lucky to get so close to it.
I’m back joining in today and I’ve shared my final #treesquare post
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Hi Debbie, I was pleasantly surprised that the hawk stayed calm when I was so close to it. It was a beautiful hawk. Thank you for joining in. Have a great weekend!
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Lovely photos! I so like the floating public art!
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Thank you, Teresa, for your comment. For unknown reasons, your comments went into my Spam folder. The floating art is neat and thought-provoking, isn’t it?
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It does happen…at least you found it!
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Hi Natalie, what an interesting art formation! Very thought provoking as well. You have a lovely area to paddle your canoe. I’ve always felt an affinity with water so it resonates with me. Have a lovely weekend, regards Christina
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Hi Christina, I’m glad you like Over Floe. I count my blessings to have easy access to Lake Ontario. I think as humans, we’re all drawn to bodies of water. Have a great weekend!
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Great photos, and I love the floating Public art, Natalie!
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Thank you, Teresa, for being patient and leaving me a comment even though WordPress sent it to my spam folder. I’m glad you liked my photos and the floating art exhibit. Have a great weekend!
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I don’t comment often maybe that’s why that happened. Have a good weekend too, Natalie!
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You sure had a fun and busy week, Natalie! And, compared to Massachusetts, not too much rain. Such a treat to see multiple special birds up close. That shot of the hawk is a winner! While I’m all about nature and wildlife, I have to say that the art installation on the water, Over Floe, is incredible, especially on a calm day when the reflections create a desired and pleasing effect. I really enjoyed that as well.
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Hi Liesbet, My activities are all fun, except my strength training is harder than the rest and that’s how it should be 🙂 I set out to go kayaking and had these nice surprises, one after another, I came home grinning. The Over Floe art exhibit is creative and thought-provoking. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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You are so fortunate to live in such an amazing city with so much to offer. I love how you get out and explore new things.
Hawks, cormorants, ducks, muted swans and a Great Blue Heron — how wonderful to see them all on one excursion. And the floating art work was icing on the cake.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
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Hi Donna, I feel grateful to live in Toronto and have easy access to nature and urban amenities. I set out to go kayaking and had several nice surprises, I came home grinning. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you’re enjoying the summer in BC. Have a great long weekend!
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My goodness! That is coming really close to birds in the wild!!! Amazing spotting & captures! So accommodating of them to pose for you!
I love that you view art even as you kayak! That just tickles me so much! All this art in situ is just too fabulous!
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It was my “bird” day and the birds were well behaved. I set out for a simple kayaking excursion and had several nice surprises. I came home grinning. The things I see when I go outside 🙂
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oh my that Hawk – what an extraordinary moment. And your paddle was so beautiful and peaceful, loving the art too
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Thank you, Becky, for your comment and for hosting July Tree Squares. It was a fun day out. I look forward to your October Square photo challenge.
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The kayaking is appealing, getting to see the wildlife close up, changes over the course of the seasons. On our marriage trip, my husband and I spent most of an afternoon in the wildlife park near Brainerd, Minn. Nice to get out into nature. So much life around us that we often don’t take note of. Thanks so much for the photographs, for narrating your visit there.
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Thank you, Liz, for your comment. The wildlife park near Brainerd sounds like a good place to visit and be close to nature. I enjoy kayaking to see aquatic and bird life on or near the water. I aim to go paddling weekly in the summer before autumn arrives.
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What a wonderful day in nature Natalie. I used to kayak with my children. Your post made me want to get back to it. The hawk is beautiful and amazing that you got so close. We had hawks near us but only ever see them high in the sky. I loved reading your post.
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Jennifer, I was pleasantly surprised that the hawk stayed calm the whole time I watched it and took photos. If you’re close to a place to kayak, why not get back to it in spring or summer. I think you’ll enjoy it again.
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Sounds like a great day out! I rarely get that close to big hawks! I’m sure it was nice to talk to Dr, Redbird. Floating sculpture and floating birds… Herons. Sounds great!
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I lucked out with that red-tailed hawk and the great blue heron. Usually they fly high or stay at a distance and fly away when I approach. Both birds stayed calm the whole time I watched them and took photos. Meeting and chatting with Dr. Redbird was a nice surprise, too. It was a grand day out.
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That is cool about the birds – blue herons usually don’t let me get close, but on occasion… A couple of times I have gotten pretty close to a hawk, but I think they are newly fledged.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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Oooh, hawks are such majestic birds! The heron sounds beautiful too. I love your evocative descriptions of what you saw.
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Thank you, Astrid, for your comment. I’m glad you liked my descriptions of what I saw. I was pleasantly surprised that the red-tailed hawk and the great blue heron stayed calm for me to take photos.
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What a divine outing that was. I adore catching local wildlife being, well, wild. The Red Tailed Hawk in particular is amazing. 🙂
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It was a fantastic outing. The red-tailed hawk was perfect and so beautiful up close.
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Those herons are so graceful and I love that floating art… Have a great weekend.
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The herons look majestic standing or flying. I’m glad you liked the floating Over Floe. Have a great weekend!
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Oh wow! How gorgeous is that hawk! And how fortunate to be able to capture that. Love that you got to chat with Dr Redbird; I do remember the canoe post. And that floating artwork is amazing too. Thanks again for a lovely tour. Hope you have a great week ahead, Natalie!
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It was a grand day out. I was lucky to see the hawk, the heron and Dr. Redbird. I’m glad you liked Over Floe. Have a great week ahead, Sanch!
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Such interesting art formation. I like it. I like all the wildlife you have seen. So very cool.
Thanks for hosting this great party. Don’t know if I will see you next week as i will be traveling. Hope you have a wonderful week.
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Patrick, I’m glad you liked the art and wildlife in my post. Have a great trip! Look forward to have you joining Weekend Coffee Share again when you return.
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Magnificat birds! Once again you brought me on a lovely tour. Thanks a bunch.
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Thank you, Antoinette, for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my post.
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Love the floating sculptures though my head thought of a grim message regarding climate change!
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Thank you, Julie, for your comment. Sometimes it’s necessary to hear a grim message to take actions for positive changes.
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I definitely agree. It should inspire people to just go and do something. Unfortunately there are some people out there who would just call it “woke” art and refuse to look at the problem.
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That Over Floe is fantastic! And so timely given what happened in Greenland yesterday – that’s so alarming. What on earth have we done??!!
Have a lovely weekend and thanks for hosting
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I’m glad you liked Over Floe and its message. I hope we all take individual actions to stop the damage to our environment.
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A wonderful place to paddle, Natalie! Not only for the cool art of the Over Floe, but the beautiful heron! Great shots of him in action. When you mentioned dragonflies, I thought one might have landed within camera distance for the SS challenge, LOL! Have a great week!
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Hi Terri, Not sure why I thought there was no SS this week. I’m glad you liked the Over Floe art and the heron. I was happy to see both up close. have a wonderful week!
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Looks like you had fun. I love kayaking
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Welcome Quentin to my blog and thank you for your comment. I think you’re my blog’s first visitor from Haiti. I wonder how you found my blog. I love kayaking and plan to go again later this week.
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Hey Natalie. 😀😀 Not too surprised. We have a clinic here in Haiti and I found you in the WordPress read recommendations
I went kayaking several times a week before coming down here.
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Thanks WordPress for introducing you to my blog 🙂 Did you kayak in calm waters or in open sea? I’ll visit your blog shortly. I host the weekly Weekend Coffee Share blog link-up. You’re welcome to join in any and every week. It starts on Friday at 8 AM and ends on Sunday at midnight Toronto time.
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Nice. I’ll have to keep it in mind.
I went on lakes and slow rivers. There wasn’t much or any white water in my area.
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Kayaking in calm lakes or slow rivers is pleasant and enjoyable.
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Argh! Lost my comment! Love the water scenes with the bird – makes me feel happy. Looks like a stunning place. I can’t wait for winter to finish so that I can see the sun shining over the water again.
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Thank you for your patience to retype your comment. Water and sunshine are good for our soul, mind and body. Spring is coming for you. Have a great week!
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What lovely pictures. I especially love water ones.
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Thank you, Tessa, for your comment. The water was calm and clear that day.
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I love water as long as I don’t have to be in it. I am terrified of drowning and having my head under it.
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Love the birds Natalie – especially the hawk! And I adore that floating art. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
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Hi Min, I lucked out to see that beautiful red-tailed hawk so close. Glad you liked the floating art. Have a great week!
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Oh my gosh, what a BEAUTIFUL photo of the red tail hawk!! You were very close and the photo is fantastic. Thank you for the coffee this weekend. I loved all your photos, especially the blue heron too! ❤️ I hope you have a wonderful week ahead! 😀
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Diana, I was lucky to see that gorgeous red-tailed hawk so close and it didn’t fly away. Same with the great blue heron. I came home grinning. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!
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Beautiful birds! The red tailed hawk and blue heron are magnificent. So majestic. Great shots of them! What a treat.
Peta
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Hi Peta, I lucked out that day to see two beautiful birds up close and they didn’t fly away. I came home grinning. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!
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That red-tailed hawk is impressive, as well as all the other wildlife you were able to encounter so closely 👏 The Over Floe exhibit is fantastic & probably not many get to see it from the watery perspective 😃
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Thank you, Jez, for your comment. I totally lucked out that day to see the hawk and the heron up close and they didn’t fly away. The floating art Over Floe was a very nice discovery while I was paddling around. I’d say it looked better from the water.
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What a fun paddle! I love to hear that the water is clear and that the birdlife came out to greet you! That floating art installation is really something different! So creative.
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I notice that the water has been clear and wildlife has been more visible during this pandemic. I hope to go kayaking a few more times before summer ends here.
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This seems to be the pattern in a few places, Natalie. The earth have relished in this circuit breaker, even if we have not!
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Fun fact: I once fell out of a kayak on the Jordan River in Israel and I nearly drowned so virtual kayaking is now much more my style! Thanks for the ride – it was like a who’s who of the bird world. Loving vicariously living through your summer adventures 🙂
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Oh no, I”m sorry you had a nearly drowned experience with kayaking and in a foreign country. You must be so scared. Was it your first time trying the sport? I totally lucked out seeing the hawk and the heron on the same day. They’re both big birds in their class. I came home grinning 🙂
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Love this post Natalie. So lucky get close to the Red-Tailed Hawk 🙂 🙂
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Thank you, Brian, for your visit and comment. I totally lucked out with that red-tailed hawk. He stayed calm and posed for my photos the whole time 🙂
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Wonderful post! Many great pics, but the hawk is my fave. Well done.
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Thank you for your visit and comment. That magnificent hawk stayed calm while I took photos.
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Fantastic and nice surprises says a great deal, Natalie. Great captures! What a fun houseboat. I agree, a majestic sight to see the Blue Heron. The floating art creation is surreal. Thank you for sharing your ‘blast!’
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Hi Erica/ Erika, It was a grand day out with nice surprises. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you’re enjoying summer and having a blast, too.
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