K2, our Hungarian Kuvasz, started off on a cold day with the entourage of 9 from our AirB&B for a hike along the Niagara Parkway and then for enjoying the Winter Festival of Lights that is held every year for over 50 days. However, when the entourage of decided to enter the Bird Kingdom, K2 and I were left out. We all agreed that we would meet at the exit door of the Bird Kingdom to explore the lights later.
I put on the dog backpack on K2 and we headed for the Falls system.
We continued to the Horseshoe Falls and enjoyed watching the water and the mist for an hour or so.
The dark clouds approached and turned the whole area eerily appealing for a little while. The following pictures show how dark it turned.
Niagara Falls never fails to offer jaw dropping picturesque scenery; falling a little short of pristine beauty; but still ethereal, gulls gliding over the rough waters deep down in the gorge, despite seemingly terrible conditions.
We continued on to explore the Dufferin Island Wildlife sanctuary upstream of the Niagara River. The light conditions became slightly conducive for photography. I took the only shot of the visit that could qualify as a semi-decent wildlife shot. It was a Hooded Merganser drake,
While returning to the Horseshoe Falls, after getting soaked in the mist, we started our return hike on the other side of the Niagara Parkway so as not to bother the visitors focused on seeing the falls.
We reached the American and the Bridal Veil Falls soon. The dark clouds began to dissipate a little. We enjoyed half an hour there.
However, I noticed that K2 quickly lost his interest and started pulling me.
I figured out soon that he wanted to lead me back to the Bird Kingdom where he had said goodbye to the remaining entourage.
We reached the Bird Kingdom soon where K2 headed straight for the entrance to the building expecting other members of the entourage to appear soon.
When the other members of the entourage joined us, K2 had a fantastic time greeting them and then leading all of us to the Clifton Hills.
Being December, dusk came soon and with it, the Festival of Lights.
Every year from mid-November to the first week of January, the most enchanting of Niagara Falls attractions, the annual Winter Festival of Lights is held.
This is Canada’s largest free outdoor light festival when one can experience the spectacular displays with millions of lights and larger than life displays across the tourism districts.
It was colder than the average winter temperatures and crowds were thin.
K2 was used to the lights as he was walking with me in the nighbourhood every night through the Christmas lights and decorations.
final words
Until our next blog, au revoir! Be outdoorsy, embrace diversity, and support causes for the conservation of nature!
K2, the Kuvasz, and me 