Nature's Reminders

2026 has begun, and a "happy new year" is our hope! 2025 had its challenges (some of which I have shared at the end of this post!), but there were many gratitude-invoking moments of grace as well. A new, and first, grandchild arrived with all of the joy and light that new life brings. Friends carried us through some tough times with gentleness and constancy. And always, Nature waited to comfort and bring peace when we took the time to be present with her.

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed,

and to have my senses put in order."

- John Burroughs

Here are some of the Creation-gifts that have "put my senses in order" this year!

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A highlight of Spring migration is always the arrival of Warblers. This Yellow Warbler, with a mouthful of insects for her young, reassures us that new life is continually being created and sustained!

Nashville Warblers often find their way into some Spruce trees along the G2G Trail, arriving at the same time as colourful Spruce buds.

A Blackpoll Warbler, which I don't see often, played Peekaboo among apple blossoms.

A short road trip with a friend provided a welcome sighting of Cliff Swallows with their recently-fledged young. They were busy in the soft morning light feeding and caring for their demanding little one.

Beautiful Mom or Dad Cliff Swallow had spent weeks preparing a mud nest in a colony under a nearby bridge, waiting for eggs to hatch, then feeding hungry nestlings. Now it was time to take a short break.

This fledgling was being fed by both parents, and had just swallowed a snack from the left when the other parent arrived on the right with a Ladybug. They sat for a few moments like this, and the parent finally gave her kid a beak-poke and shoved the beetle into its gape.

On a warm July evening, Barn Swallows brought their babies to our roof, and parked them there while they went bug-hunting. Lovely little ones, with hints of the vibrant blue and rust that will be theirs next Spring. For this season, though, they camouflaged nicely with the shingles! Not a worry in the world --- just blind trust that their needs would be met.

Tree Swallows nested in a box along our lane. On the evening of fledging day, the young birds sat in a Tamarack Tree in the garden and enjoyed flying insects caught by their busy parents. Tree Swallows are quick, efficient hunters, and are in constant motion from dawn to dusk.

Mom wasn't taking any chances on this precious snack flying away!

A pair of Eastern Kingbirds brought their 3 young ones to a small Lilac, and fed them for a few hours one afternoon.

Back in early June, nest-building was on the agenda for many migratory birds. This Red-eyed Vireo was making good use of sticky fibres from a "tent" to construct a cozy nest for its young. I watched for a long while, as he/she chose just the right bits of building material, flew to the nest site, then returned for more.

In early June, Bluebirds arrived back from the South, and began the search for a Summer home. The males are splendid in their breeding colours.

The female Bluebird, with her muted shades, is so softly pretty.

It's always rewarding to see these beauties choosing one of our houses for the season.

Early March brings stunning, majestic Tundra Swans to our area. We took a picnic lunch to Aylmer on a warm spring day, and sat watching these birds as they flew and foraged for corn, in this resting stop on their way from the Arctic to wintering grounds along the eastern US coast.

Landing gear down!

Fast forward to late summer... a friend shared the wonderful experience of having a family of Eastern Screech Owls in her yard. 4 Owlets had recently fledged when I visited, and were perching in trees at dusk waiting for their parents to bring them mice, grasshoppers, etc. They were bouncing around too, trying out their wings, and jumping from branch to branch. We only watched for a short time, not wanting to disturb them, but completely mesmerized by these beauties.

Adult Screech Owls blend in seamlessly with their surroundings.

Twins -- waiting for the sun to set before they come alive and demand to be fed.

Daylight is the time to rest.

This young Owlet walked up the branch of a tree, then turned and gave us a brief look before continuing its climb. Look closely -- those are tail feathers coming in, and the Owlet is turning its head right around to look backwards. An amazing Owl trick!

Bit of a "side-eye" ...

At home on the farm, where we have planted many native/critter-friendly offerings through the years, we were rewarded with wonderful visitors. How special it was to sit quietly on the deck, and be entertained by butterflies, moths, birds, and a few mammals.

In the Autumn, New England Aster provided seeds for a few Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Monarchs in all stages made themselves at home around our house in August and September.

Monarchs are very possessive when it comes to their nectar flowers. They chased Hummingbirds away, and one afternoon I saw 3 of them go after a House Sparrow, following him over the roof, then returning to feed.

A great variety of Butterflies nectared among blossoms in our gardens, and a few even found appropriate plants on which to deposit eggs. Rue hosted Giant Swallowtail and Black Swallowtail Caterpillars ...

both of which transform themselves into spectacular Butterflies!

Our smallest visitor may have been the one that had the greatest impact on me! This tiny Milbert's Tortoiseshell arrived in September, and stayed around for about 2 weeks, sometimes appearing when I drove in the lane after a hospital visit. Twice, it flew in from over the garden, and landed directly beside the car as I parked, then nectared happily a few feet from me. Other days it would stay for hours, mainly in the Verbena bonariensis. There were not many reports of Milbert's Tortoiseshell Butterflies in 2025; it was a great privilege to have had this little one (the same one, I believe) around. Sometimes Nature knows what we need...

A whole little ecosystem on a New England Aster...

Milbert and his/her friends: a North American Tarnished Plant Bug, Western Honey Bees, and Aphids

I am so very thankful to live in a place where Nature flourishes; a place where I can constantly be "soothed and healed" by wild, wonderful things!

Happy New Year!

-Merri-Lee

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This little "addendum" is for those of you who know us, and would like to share a bit of our journey...

Bent But (Mostly) Not Broken

"We are often troubled, but not crushed;

sometimes in doubt but never in despair;

there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend;

and though badly hurt at times,

we are not destroyed.     

-2 Corinthians 4:8,9                                         

Four years have passed since Ron was officially diagnosed with dementia. This disease has impacted every facet of our lives, challenging us continually as we learn to cope with new realities. Ron entered Groves Memorial Hospital on Sept. 21, after a rapid decline in his condition. He was there for about 10 weeks, waiting for a long-term placement. On Nov. 27, he was admitted to St. Joseph's LTC in Guelph, where he will remain until his medications can be stabilized to the point where he can be in a regular LTC facility.

To say that I am "not crushed" or "never in despair" would be dishonest, I'm afraid; however, I hold tightly to the promise that "we are never without a friend", and deeply appreciate the relationships and friendships that accompany us on this journey.

One of the most precious gifts that a care partner receives is the gift of time, and I have been so grateful for friends who have provided "breaks" for me. When I have had a few free hours, I have often made my way out to a trail, or a meadow, or a back road, to be reminded anew of the healing power of Creation!

Thanks to all of you who walk with us. Faith, family, and friends, along with the blessings of the natural world, sustain us.

-Merri-Lee, Ron, and family