Point au Roche

Even approaching the Canadian border, there was surprisingly little colour on the hills but many of the trees are pines.

.

And of the many that weren’t, a lot had already shed their leaves.

.

Taking exit 40 off I-87, we headed toward Point au Roche State Park on Lake Champlain.

Very quickly, there was not a hill in sight, just acres of plowed fields.

.

At this time of year admission is free. Passing the toll booth on our way out we noticed a lot of apples lying on the ground. It seemed a shame for them to rot away so I collected a bagful to bring home for the deer that visit us.

.

We had set off very abruptly with a dearth of information, an impetuous move, like trying to assemble a piece of furniture without consulting the instructions.

So here we were on the banks of a very large lake with no plan.

.

The first thing we were soon very keenly aware of was a howling gale that rippled the water and had us buttoning our jackets. Venturing toward the beach, I soon gave up the idea of clambering down, unable to keep my balance in the wind.

.

A woodland path just off the shore invited exploration.

.

Enough foliage remained to protect us a little from the wind.

It also obscured our view of the lake but we’d already noted the absence of a single goose.

.

But such a day is never a waste.

Finding a way down to the shore, we came upon a sandpiper.

.

Otherwise known as Greater Yellowlegs.

What a dear little bird.

.

We continued our walk noting the brilliance of the maple leaves.

.

There was a good deal else to look out for.

Exposed roots and protruding rocks ready to trip the incautious wanderer.

Lack of planning was the theme for this day. I have a hiking stick, but where was it?

Back in the car along with the apple Grant had intended to eat.

.

Not to worry. A fine-looking fallen branch offered itself as a substitute.

Progress felt more secure.

.

There was, however, one other item back in the car: my spare battery pack, which I remembered as my camera suddenly shut down.

“This”, I said, “Is when there will be something to photograph.”

And as if summoned, a number of birds began flitting about overhead.

.

They were unfamiliar and squinting into the bright sunlight, hard to identify.

We needed to attempt a photograph, so I parked myself on a convenient rock while Grant went to fetch the car. Just then I heard a very firm clip-clop and looking left perceived a quite magnificent cream-coloured horse approaching.

The nice lady astride it greeted me, asking was I bird-watching?

.

The birds we’d seen, she suggested could be chickadees or juncos but I am familiar with those and these were neither. I asked about the snow geese and was told that the time to look for them would be in another month, when they flock by the thousands to the lake, a sight to behold, she said and I could well believe it.

The horse snorted that it was keen to get on, so they trotted off and soon Grant returned with my battery pack.

.

Not that my efforts were terribly successful, as the birds were not keen on posing but at least I was able to get an image that could be identified.

To my delight, I discovered that I had finally seen a cedar waxwing.

Would I have thought of them if I’d known that the fruit they were eating were cedar berries?

Doubtful. I’ve only just now connected the two.

.

The identity of birds is not necessary to appreciate them, but I like to know what I’ve seen.

Likewise, I identify plants when I can. A benefit of modern technology.

Along with digital photography!

.