It’s October and that means it is time for Robin’s Walktober! I had plans. Big plans. Was gonna go to St. Helen’s Island on one day (okay, that part I did, but not as much as I wanted to) and the next day was going to go to Mount Royal in Montreal (which didn’t happen because I was just too damn lazy to get up and out of the house early enough). So instead of crossing the bridge and half the island of Montreal to get to Mount Royal, Zeke and I just went to the next town over as there is a lovely area by the St. Lawrence River in the town of Longueuil, called Marie-Victorin Park, we enjoy walking along.
Actually, I am totally going to cheat here. Yep. Imma combine THREE walks, adding in Parc de la Frayère in Boucherville because I got some amazing shots that I want to share with you. And this walk did take place in October. I do hope you don’t mind…
On October 5th, Zeke and I went to the Parc de la Frayère (which means spawning ground park) for a sunset walk. For once the stars were aligned, or rather, the sky was clear and I was able to take advantage of the golden hour followed by the sunset.
Yesss! We parked, went right to see if maybe, just maybe the heron was hanging about and he was. I did catch a little black duck but that photo is a tad dark as well. So we turned around towards the little bridge when I spotted the moon between the trees
A half-pie slice of moon. Crossing the bridge, we made our way towards the water’s edge and were rewarded by a woods tinged with gold.
Even Zeke took on a golden hue
The sun then put on a spectacular show and it was difficult to NOT inundate you with a bazillion pics…
Satisfied, Zeke and I climbed back into the car but I glimpsed a little marina on my return and had to stop. (Sorry, Zeke, you stay in the car for a minute or so…)
I couldn’t make up my mind on which one to share, so you get two.
October 8 was a Tuesday and the first of my two days off that week. Into the car we went and off to St. Helen’s Island between the south shore and Montreal. There are so many things to see but we stayed within one little section. It was a glorious day with the bluest of skies and brightest of colours all around.
Up the steps for a nice view. I took this angle of the Tour de Lévis (built in the 1930’s, usually we have access to the steps inside bringing us to the top where we can have a spectacular view of Montreal and surroundings) but now gated shut for repairs
We walked along the lovely leaf-strewn trails (seriously? a construction cone? are there no construction-free zones in all of the province?) and then down a hill past this huge boulder. I loved how the moss draped over it.
We walked some more and whoa! I have been on this island countless times and have never ended up here. And if I did and don’t remember it then I must have been otherwise preoccupied. A little oasis in the middle of seemingly nowhere.
I let a friend know I was in his neighbourhood so we ended up going to his backyard to have a beer before heading home. The view from the communal backyard is lovely.
As mentioned at the start of this walk post, Wednesday was supposed to be a totally different walk but I hemmed and hawed and took my time – so much so that the idea of driving into Montreal no longer appealed to me. Plus the sky was not quite as blue so, I decided to go to another lovely park in the city of Longueuil. This is also along the St. Lawrence River so we had a chance of seeing geese, ducks or simply lovely trees.
The entrance of the park has this… thing. There are no signs and I have no clue what it is.
As I walked towards the official path, my eyes were drawn to this bright red…
And then the entrance to the park
There were a couple of ducks but the light was shite and they were far and I took ’em anyway. Thank goodness for PicMonkey to play with settings.
We walked along and I was struck the by colours… yellows, reds, sticking up out of nowhere.
We kept on walking and arrived at this easily walked into water… which Zeke, as per, did not hesitate to enter. Which is fine because I had arrived at a busy section with some sort of seagull (I think) and a heron. While Zeke played in the water, he didn’t disturb the birds or me!
The seagull was busy fishing and every time he’d dive down to pick at a fish he’d caught, his wings would flap. I took so many photos but will not bore you with more than two 😉
And then Bob (for you, Mr. Paxson) was standing there waiting for me. I took pictures as I got closer and closer with the intent – I know, I am mean – of hoping he would fly away and I could attempt to capture him in flight…. I got my desire.
I was pretty pleased with myself even though I felt a tad guilty.
There is a wonderful new overpass that has been rebuilt after an unfortunate accident – a dump truck with its dumper raised hit it and it smashed it. My sons and I were on our way to the movies and never made it because we were stuck in the traffic it caused. I wrote about it here.
It is quite spectacular at night and I have promised myself to go there and cross it. But till then, here is the view during the day. It was built specifically for bicycles and pedestrians. Zeke and I planned on going to the top to see the view. Unfortunately, once we got to the second floor, the stairs were metal teeth-like things and poor Zeke tried the first four. I couldn’t let him go up so I told him to stay on the landing whilst I went up. I don’t usually get the willies but you can see through the stairs and my stomach did flip-flops. Since when am I such a wuss?
It was time to go home and the golden hour was arriving. Walking back I noticed there were crabapples and had I a sac, I would have filled it. (Thief that I am.)
I hope you enjoyed my walk and didn’t find it too long! I apologize. I got somewhat carried away. Should you want to join in, the link is above on Robin’s name.
Dale, these are fantastic photos. I particularly like the sunsets… less so the full-blown affair, but the low raking golden light. And the trees so colourful. (Ours will eventually turn, at Christmas). And the heron is one of my favourite birds, though here they keep themselves way out of sight across the marshes and I don’t get a chance at a shot. All in all, pretty damn fine photos. 🙂
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Thank you, Crispina! I had about 7 sunset photos… the trees are magnificent though yesterdays rain has caused a lot of them to fall. The heron, this one and the one I caught the other day was hiding himself in the marshes. I know it was mean of me to try to get too close but…
Glad you enjoyed my photos!
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Indeedy 🙂
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😊
Ridiculously late here. Off to bed!
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Pointless my wishy you peaceful sleeps. You’ll be awake again when you read this!
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Haha!!
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Okay, so now you’re awake. 🙂
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Yes. Twice. 😉
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? Is that like, Wowzza-wozza wide awake?
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LOL. It means, I woke up once (thank you, Zeke) and managed to go back and fall back asleep for another hour.
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Oh, that’s cheating. I NEVER do that 🙂
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Not cheating when the first sleep was not even five hours long!
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Oh well, I suppose.
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He he he… alrighty then… I’ll take it; you don’t have to!
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful walk(s). I can’t even choose a favorite photo.
I don’t think I’m going to get a Walktober post this year. Every day that we’re not working or going to my mom’s we have other plans–and now it looks like it’s going to rain on days I might have walked.
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Thank you, Merril.
Oh, that is too bad. 😔
But understandable
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Fabulous walks thank you for sharing them with us those photos are just brilliant. The Heron shots are just perfect. 💜
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Thank you, Willow. I got really lucky! 🧡
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Absolutely beautiful 💜
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Beautiful Saturday morning walk. I was swept away. And Zeke. A Super Bonus.
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Thank you, David. Doesn’t he look fabulous in that golden light?
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He really does.
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Having enjoyed the walk with you I think it is time for a Gin and tonic!
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Oooh! I’ll have one, thanks!
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Coming up!
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Excellent! Thank you!
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It’s very beautiful in your part of the work , thanks for taking us along virtually. Your pics are gorgeous. Have a lovely day Dale! 🌺
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Thank you, Rene. I love to search for the beautiful spots.
You too!. Have a wonderful day!
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Your photographs are beautiful, Love Zeke, he knows how to have a good time. 😊
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I am so pleased. And he loves our walks. I just have to be careful now. He tires more easily, the old boy!
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Ahh, my little guy is having his problems too, he’s 12 now. They are so sweet!
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My big guy is 10 and if he makes it to 12-13, I’ll be extremely lucky. I find he has more and more trouble… 😦
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Tide will be 13 in May of next year. He has arthritis and that makes somethings he used to love doing hard or impossible for him, but he is still enjoying life and as long as he is that is good. Same here, he has more and more problems and we are at the vet more and more. 😦
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What type is Tide? Zeke is a long-haired German Shepherd (people think he’s a mix, but nope).
I give him glucosamine powder on his food which he doesn’t like, so I have to add some kind of gravy… I don’t really see the difference so I’ll be calling the vet to take the prescription he offered, should the powder not work.
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Tide’s a brown Boston. He has some genetic issues (they inbreed to get the brown color, I didn’t know that!) Every thing I give him upsets his stomach, but we keep trying. The vet has gotten rich off of me and Tide!
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Awww… poor baby. I hate when they do that. I’ve no doubt. What we do for our fur babies.
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For sure, we do all we can, they love us so unconditionally and it’s mutual (for most of us). I don’t trust anyone who would mistreat their pets.
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Neither do I. You can judge someone by how they treat their pets and animals in general.
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So true!!
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I love your photos. I would love to visit Canada in the fall.
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Thank you, Anne. It is a glorious sight at this time of year.
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Mind?? Are you kidding?! These are all fabulous. Sometimes serendipity is an observer’s best friend. Well done, Dale. Happy weekend!
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Haha! Okay then! So glad you enjoyed.
Thank you and a most happy weekend to you, Monika!
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Those pictures are great Dale. You definitely have an artist view. I especially liked the Moon shot, although you had many lovely pics.
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Thank you, Jan. I really do enjoy going out there with my camera.
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Great post and pictures Dale. Zeke looks thoroughly content!
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Thanks, Di! He does love our walkabouts!
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He’s gorgeous!
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This was beautiful and I almost felt like I went on the walk with you! 🙂
That half-pie-in-the-sky is my ABSOLUTE favorite of all! WOW what a great photo!
🙂
Fantastic.
I have some photos from a walk this past Sunday. If I get to it, I maybe will take a stab at this challenge. If not, I’ll just plug them in at other odd times … 😉
🙂
Nice Walktober, Dale!
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Thank you. I love to hear that you felt you were on the walk with me (I do like to give that feeling).
I was rather pleased, I canna lie 😉
Oooh. Do. Today is the official end date but Robin often extends it.
Thank you, Na’ama!
🙂
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🙂 XOXO And if I miss the deadline, I’ll find other ways to share … 😉
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No worries!!
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🙂
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Q,
That is a beauty of a walk right there. If walks could go to the Hall of Fame, you done made yourself a Hall of Famer out of that one. It had it all. From Brother Golden Hair’s sleek and sultry posing (Zeke is a natural for the camera, he just is) to beers with friends to finding new and wonderful discoveries along the way.
It’s the journey, not the destination. Someone said that once, somewhere. And I am plenty certain that he or she or whoever it be was speaking of this vicinity in which you found your zen moments and all these many brilliant captures.
To the walk. To the wonderful talent you have for capturing the moment. To fall!
B
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B,
Thanks muchly. He does like to show off, doesn’t he? Course, when the light is such, how can he not? As to the discoveries, this one was a doozie. I think next time I’ll just bring a book and sit on one of the seats I didn’t include in my pics because, well, I had so many 😉
It definitely is the journey on these walks. It is when I meditate best, to be honest. My mind just empties and I’m in the moment. I half regretted letting said friend know I was nearby as it cut my walk short. Though a beer by the water’s edge took the “edge” off.
To the walk, to the meditation, to the being in the moment. To Autumn 😉 !
Q
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You’re welcomed muchly.
Zeke has the flowing locks like that model whose name I cannot for the life of me think of right now. It’s all about owning the camera, and Zeke knows just how to do it.
Nothing wrong with a beer. Like . . ever. I know what you’re saying, but really . . it doesn’t look as if you missed anything at all. So win? Meet win?
To pumpkin pie! Which I gots to get me some of now . . .
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🙂
He does, doesn’t he? He is quite the ham. I should have included the picture I took of the guy taking a picture of him!
Nope, you are right. Well…. there were many more places to go but I’ll just save it for a next time. Yeah, win, meet win.
Like I was telling Monika on her post, I never did dig on pumpkin pie. I’m wondering if that one time I tasted it, it was just a shite pie. I may have to try my hand again… or better still, make my own! Till then, pumpkin cookies, cake, waffles, soup…
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Zeke’s motto is “Always Voguing”.
Meet wins. Plural.
I had a couple pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that were to die for. With beer, just really illegal.
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Right now he is looking at me and trying to convince me to go out so he can vogue some more.
Right!
Absolutely. And don’t forget the toasted pumpkin seeds – the whole seeds – the ones that taste like popcorn and go really well with cheese and red wine (or beer, of course)…
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His work is never done, you must understand. It’s a passion . . a life’s work.
I love ’em in my salad. And with my beer.
Both!
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Of course. Plus, he just loves to smell the roses, so to speak. We call it pee, but he calls it getting to know each other.
Oh yes. But not just the green pepitas, the whole enchilada.
Yes!
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It’s a science. So to speak . . .
Of course the whole enchilada. I ain’t gonna waste my salsa on anything less. 😉
Si!
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Of course.
Coz so many peeps think the white part of the see is no bueno… they know not of what they speak.
Da!
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Most peeps do not know of what they speak, no matter it water, pics, retail or sports. There’s a lot of cluelessness going around, LOL.
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This is a truism. Way lots! 😉
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Too lots! LOL
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Haha!
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We hold these truths to be self evident. And that ain’t helping matters . . .
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No, it ain’t.
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Spectacular walk, Dale. Thanks for taking us along.
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Thank you so much, John. So very glad you enjoyed!
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A most enjoyable Walktober, Dale. I loved those blazing red Virginia Creeper vines – stupendous! And the moss-draped boulder was pretty awesome as well. Lots to see and do in your neck of the woods. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thank you, Eliza! So glad you enjoyed!
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Dear Dale,
Thank you for sharing your walk and those fantabulous photos. You do have an eye for composition. I enjoyed the experience.
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thanks for joining me on my walk. And thank you for the wonderful compliment!
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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the sunset and the heron would have made it a walk to remember for me – great photos!
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Thank you so much, Jim!
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What a spectacular walk, Dale — thanks so much for taking me along with you and handsome Zeke! I’m right there with you on those open stairs *shiver*, but how I love all your Fall color!
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Thank you, Debbie! They were beautiful walks…
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Is that the same as Ile Ste Helene? I am not familiar with the English name, Nice to have an Eastern Canada walk
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Bien sûr! I figured almost all my readers are Anglos…😉
Glad you enjoyed.
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Gorgeous!
We Canadians might be taking this natural beauty for granted….. semi-granted at the least.
Great shots, Dale, especially Zeke. ⚡️🐕💥
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Thank you, my friend.
Oh, I don’t. Lemme tell you. Too awe inspiring to diss it.
Thank you. He is a star 😉
🧚🏻♀️🌟
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Obviously a little late, but a good example of being late is better than not being here at all. Such a beautiful walk. Loved the moon and the sunset pics the best … plus knowing Zeke had a great time.
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There is no late, Frank. I am just glad you took the time during your break to stop by.
Thank you!
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🙂 My pleasure. Hope all is well.
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All is well. One day left in the regular golf season (Sunday) and then there are 11 events from and including November 2, till December 15.
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The season is definitely winding down … but you have the holiday season, too!
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Yep. That’s what I said. 11 events in all.😉
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Wonderful walks, Dale! Thank you. The photos of the heron in flight are magnificent. I wouldn’t feel too guilty about scaring him off. Most of the time, herons are notoriously uncooperative. 🙂
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Thank you, Robin! So glad you enjoyed my pictures…
I was quite please I was able to “nudge” him 😉
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Hi, Dale – Your three walks in one are brilliant. I enjoyed each and every one of them. The statue at the entrance to Longueuil Park is stunning. I tried to find it on Google images so I could learn more about it — but no such luck.
I greatly enjoyed your serendipitous approach to your walks as well as your personable writing style. I have signed up to follow so that I can read more! #Walktober.
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Thank you so much! I, too, tried to look it up to.no avail.
So very glad you enjoyed my “style” and thank you for the follow!
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