May 8 Walking the trail

Friday:  I had a bunch of errands to run today--the most important was to stop by "Aunt Candy's Toy Company" and purchase those birthday items young Mr. Gregory had picked out last week when the two of us were there together. I went to the toy store first and actually came within $2 of my budget after choosing most of what Cal wanted. 

The weather was absolutely perfect--about 65 degrees, a light breeze, and partial sunshine! I decided that I could not possibly be this close to the Rogue River and NOT walk the White Pine Trail for at least a little bit.

And look!! I was so pleased that there was a gorgeous swan to follow around for a little while. I love the gracefulness and dignified way these birds move about, don't you?

I took many pictures of this swan that didn't turn out at all, probably because I didn't have my actual camera, but only my phone. I find that when I am using my phone to photograph, when I have to zoom in on an object, the pixel quality is terribly inferior. I really need to start carrying my camera around on a more regular basis.

Isn't this such a lovely bird?

I think I will be able to use a few of these shots to make cards from ... I hope so, at least.

Look how beautiful the sky was--aren't those cool clouds?

For just a very split second, I thought that floating log (below) was an alligator! I would have been thrilled if that had been the case; but since we live in Michigan, it's a highly unlikely animal to see floating anywhere!

I like to watch the geese too, except they are such stuck-up birds! They do not give a person ANY freedom to get close to them.

Especially if their "babies" are young ...

This male goose was squawking his head off at me and I was quite far away. I told him to settle down. I surely would never harm a gosling if my life depended on it!

I walked quite a distance before turning around to come back into Rockford. At one point, my knees hurt so badly I wondered if I was EVER going to get back to my car. Thankfully, there was a picnic bench along the river where I stopped and rested for 10 minutes to regain my strength. It surely was a nice afternoon walk.