Off To The Valley

For those of you who follow this blog regularly,you know that one of my favourite places to bird,especially in spring,is the Pembina Valley.

Today I invite you to pile into my car,and let's take a drive to and through this valley.

As we approach the valley from the south,this is what we see.It doesn't look like much,but hold on,we are moving ahead.

Now we are at the crest of the drop off.These pictures were taken from the driver's seat and yes I was driving,but very slowly and I know that there is not much traffic here.

Note also that despite the fact that it is April 19 when these pictures were taken,there is no greening of the trees and still snow on the ground. This is not typical,but this year winter is hanging on for too long.

As we continue we see this. What is going on here? Oh,you guessed it,did you? Yes,it is a typical day during the annual Hawkwatch. On this day there were only three vehicles,and mine was about to join them,but often there are many more.What do these people hope to see?

This is what they are hoping for and most likely won't be disappointed  Here is a Red-tailed Hawk soaring past,it's trailing edges of the wings highlighted by the sun. Standing at the side of the road with eyes to the sky is so worth it when we see things like this.But we are driving through right now,so we must carry on.

 The road is very winding as we make our way down.I don't ever get tired of these views and they change with the seasons.Some day I will take you through here again,perhaps in summer and again in fall.

Our final look,as we are almost at the bridge which crosses the Pembina River. You can see the road as it snakes it's way up on the other side.This is a beautiful drive and what I really like,it is only a half hour drive from my home.

I hope you enjoyed this little drive with me.Let's do it again,soon.

Have a beautiful day and don't forget to thank the Lord for creating such beauty,for us to enjoy.