March 22, 2020: The world has been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic and we’ve been in quarantine for a week since Matt came home from a work trip overseas. Today the premier announced all provincial parks and all beaches are now closed and people will be fined $1000 for violating the social distancing laws. We won’t be going on any more hikes for a while, and I’m not even sure if we’re supposed to be using the rail trails around town.
Because the news has been so depressing and overwhelming recently, I’m focussing on the happy things: signs of spring and traces of wildlife — the things I like to look for when we’re exploring. We’ve done a few hikes recently (before the pandemic shutdowns began) including Castle Rock, Pine Grove and Oakland Commons. All of them highly recommended and we’ll be going back as soon as the restrictions are lifted and it’s safe to do so.
We spotted these porcupine chewed saplings on our hike to Castle Rock near East Chester on March 1, plus a little nest woven from animal hair:
A spring walk through Wentzell Woods:
Busy beaver marks along Sleepy Hollow Road and a lodge in Oakland Lake:
Our first crocus, spotted March 22:
And daffodils at the front of the house today (March 22):
But we have a weather warning in effect for March 24… up to 15cm of snow and/or heavy rain. We’re not out of the woods yet.
witches whiskers 