As we bid farewell to winter, I’m reminded of Mary Oliver’s words, “When loneliness comes stalking, go into the fields, consider the order of the world. Notice something you’ve never noticed before, like the tambourine sound of the snow-cricket, whose pale body is no longer than your thumb.”
For me, it’s the triumphant chorus of peepers that I eagerly await. These tiny frogs, with their high-pitched calls filling the evening air, are among the first amphibians to emerge as the earth thaws. Alongside them, snowdrops, crocuses, violets, and primroses push through the softened ground while birds shed their winter coats for bright summer frocks in anticipation of the breeding season.
The goldfinch always catches my eye like a shooting star as it darts into the brush. Where might one discover these lovely delights? One of the best places to witness this seasonal awakening is Graves Island Provincial Park. Its winding trail hugs the water’s edge, offering breathtaking views and peaceful spots to pause and take it all in.
The 3.5 km loop meanders through woodland and rocky shoreline, providing the perfect setting for shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing—an immersion in nature proven to lower stress, reduce blood pressure, and strengthen the immune system. Studies show that the simple act of listening to nature, such as flowing creeks, rustling leaves, and birdsong, elevates mood, eases fatigue, and activates the brain’s relaxation state.
The trail’s gentle, mostly flat terrain makes for an accessible, leisurely walk through a diverse ecosystem of trees, salt marshes, and coastal landscapes.
Herons wade in the shallows while black-capped chickadees, blue jays, and cardinals it through the trees, often drawn to the black sunflower seeds hikers carry. As the world stirs to life—waves lapping, insects humming, birds calling—it’s an invitation to slow down and savour the season’s renewal.
I like to pack a picnic for this adventure, relishing the quiet before campers arrive in mid-May when the park’s campgrounds open for the season. As the sun lingers a little longer each day, what remnants of winter’s stillness will you carry forward? And how will you let the unfolding warmth of spring reshape your days?
