It is
amazing what a difference one week can make during this season of changing
colors. We have visited this park
several times during other autumn seasons but I have never seen the colors
quite like this. The McArthur Park
Slough with Mt. Paul and Peter in the background is a beautiful sight today.
McArthur Park greeters |
We met some
park greeters! These ducks headed straight
towards us as we crossed the footbridge over the slough, fully expecting us to
have some treats for them. We did not so
they soon went on their way. The little
tree hugger was pretty curious but soon knew we had nothing for him, either.
Autumn colors |
We followed
the footpath that loops around the McArthur Island Golf Course and enjoyed the
colors of the leaves of the trees on the golf course. There were several different colors which
aren’t part of the indigenous tree colors.
Grazing deer |
Lush green
grass, beautiful colors and no golfers.
What we do see are several deer, including a deer family enjoying that
lush green grass! This is exactly why I
could never leave my camera behind. One
just never knows what they may see.
Deer playtime |
Two deer were
playing up under the big tree. It is
difficult to see the antlers through the tree branches but we were able to see
them on one of the deer when they separated.
This wrestle only lasted a moment, time for three quick photos and they
were back to grazing.
Beautiful deer buck |
This buck
was oblivious to the playing going on and stayed closer to the doe and the
young one. We moved to another opening
through the fence and using my other lens, I was able to take photos that
looked like we were right up close, but we were far enough away, they didn’t
even notice.
Deer family |
We saw six
deer altogether on the course, two of them are just over the crest of the hill
taking a rest and their heads are barely seen from here. There may have been others, this seems to
be a permanent home to them as we’ve seen some on golfing visits, too.
Colors of McArthur Park Golf Course |
More trees,
more autumn colors to enjoy but no deer in sight as we near the end of the path
that encircles the golf course. We do
see some golfers that will soon be surprised to see what is ahead of them.
Kamloops across the Thompson River |
The golf
course is a great example of a local park for all to enjoy, even if you are not
a golfer, but more so if you are. The
quiet walk in the park includes a pretty view of the Thompson River and the
city of Kamloops in the distance.
Other than
the deer, ducks and squirrels we saw here today, there are other residents to
enjoy. Canada Geese find the park a perfect winter home and are often seen and
heard flying overhead. These large geese
appear to avoid the golf course but spend most of their time in other parts of
the park and add quite a lot of high quality phosphate to the grounds!