Sunday Rambling

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For us, Sunday is a day to wander. With our little dog in tow, my husband and I explore places near and far, changing plans and directions as the mood takes us. Yesterday, we set out for the shore, only to come across a local park we had not been to before. We ended up staying for the afternoon and never did make it to the beach.

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I knew it was the right choice when we came across one of the abandoned buildings that I so love to photograph.

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Watershed Park is so named because of an underground aquifer that feeds into the neighbourhood water works.
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The derelict remains of an old pumping station immediately captured my attention, and unlike the places we so often explore, there was no sign prohibiting entry!

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I might have wished for better light in which to photograph. After an uncommonly hot, dry summer, we've slammed into a gray and damp September. Our normally lush, coastal rainforests are subdued and pale
and the sun has hidden itself away.
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That did not deter me from taking shots as I wandered through the brambles and moss that had overtaken the ruins.
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The park is mostly evergreen, and the odd bright tree stands out like an exclamation point against the darker background.

Continuing on the trail, I focused on the many nurse trees our forests have in abundance as new life begins in old stumps.

Already, the air had the rich, earthy smell of Autumn, and a layer of dampness lightly coated the leaves.
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Shiny salal and skunk cabbage peeked out from the trees, and tall, purple columbine peopled the paths edge.
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We had the park mainly to ourselves. Families of shcool-age children would be at the mall in search of back-to-school clothes, or tracking down the
inevitable list of stationery needs. With no such concerns,
we wandered at leisure, watching our own playful pup as fondly as if she were a child.

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As it neared time to leave, the sun finally put in an appearance, laying pretty dappled patterns across the crunchy gravel path and softening the air. I took a few last shots, packed away my camera and we set off to Starbucks, our normal way to finish off each Sunday walk!

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It was a very good afternoon indeed...

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