When I saw how the Morning Glories were enjoying the sunshine, I decided to take my camera and go see what else was stirring in our town today. After several weeks of above average temperatures it was a relief to be out in the gentle breeze.
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, is a lovely town with a lot of history. Located beside the rapids where the waters of the Ottawa River flow through Lake St-Louis into the St-Lawrence River it is a mecca for pleasure boaters who use the locks. There are many popular restaurants with terraces overlooking the canal and the boaters will often arrive in the evening, drink and dine to their hearts' content and then overnight on board, waiting for the first locking of the day at 9:00 am.
Although I have seen many wonderful places in various trips with the Fossil, I still consider the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue boardwalk, and the park beyond the locks, my favourite place to be.
On many mornings recently the excessive heat has killed the blooms before I have had a chance to get a good look at them. Last night I made up my mind to check them out early.
I think I like Morning Glories because their beauty is so fleeting. I started the seed in mid-April and have waited until just a few days ago to see the results. Now as I write this, that delicate, blue trumpet has shrivelled and gone but tomorrow's blooms are waiting for the kiss of the sun to take their turn.
I've had this tree branch for several years and put it and one other at two corners of our deck to support the growing vines. I keep hoping that the Morning Glories as well as the Scarlet Runner bean vines will attract humming birds but so far, not much success. Perhaps we don't have enough mature trees to provide sanctuary for them in case a predator appears.
As I first cross over the lock gates there is not much sign of activity. The boaters may be yawning and thinking of the hustle to come. This is looking downstream toward Lake St-Louis. The terrace restaurants and town would be to the left of the image and on the right you can see a narrow green space with picnic tables, with water beyond which is unnavigable for anything more than a canoe or small motor boat.
The water level this year has been much lower than in previous years which has resulted more visits from water birds than I have ever seen. I often see a Heron close to this section but it wasn't there today.
In most years these small islands would only show the portion covered by the darker vegetation. The exposed rocks have inspired people to build 'inukshuks' which can be seen for several days and then are toppled, perhaps by the water or perhaps by birds or small animals. There are otters and beavers in the area which might be the culprits.
The gulls, ducks and perhaps you can spot a goose or two take up their positions on rocks so that they can spot any tasty looking morsels. The fish are forced close to the surface as the water flows up and over the rock shelf of the rapids.
The water nearer to the end of the jetty is quite turbulent. Although the birds can't perch here for their catch, the diving ones often plummet down into the water from the air.
This dark fellow seemed to feel he was being left out of the avian portrait gallery so he cawed loudly to attract my attention, posed for this profile and then flew away.
I will check later but at least I know that they are usually swooping through the air and catching insects. I have never been able to get a photo of one before as they seem to always be in motion.
Suddenly, my attention was drawn by great whoops of glee and I could see something thrashing around in the water by the bow of the boat. I was able to focus the camera in time to snap the netting of the catch. The cement at the right is part of the Route 20 highway bridge to Ile Perrot, the sore of which can be seen in the background.
The fish was held this way and that way for several photos to use for bragging later and then was released back into the water. The fish would have a great story to tell its grandchildren about its 'Great Escape'.
This old gull (or one very much like it) seems to like to bask in the sun near the picnic tables. Perhaps it has decided to take life easier in retirement and is content to take handouts from the boaters who take their meals at the tables or on a cloth 'sur l'herbe'
At first as I walked along the boardwalk I couldn't figure out why a man standing on the quayside and these two ladies on the boat were peering at the surface of the water. When I enquired, they told me that there was a diver down below and sure enough a moment later, the diver (blue headgear bottom right) emerged and deposited parts of a watch on the bow.
As it turned out, those cruisers on the downstream side would have to wait a little longer. As I watched the red light started to flash, the lock gates opened and these boaters got their green light to proceed into the lock. I think I'll make a note to ask the lock keepers how they decide who goes first. They are very chatty and informative when I ask questions about the working of the lock.
I decided to head for home after a very pleasant walk. I spotted these on the way and wondered if this is actually a hibiscus because the flowers don't seem to open quite as mcuh. Perhaps it is a near relative.
I couldn't resist a short side trip to the short pier where I watch the sunset. Here the receding water has left sinuous patterns in the fallen weeds and algae.
As I have heard that a mite is threatening many bee colonies, I was delighted to see dozens of bees busily collecting pollen from the various blossoms.
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