Rad Things (and Misadventures) That Happened in 2023

Before the pandemic, I used to share posts on my adventure/photography blog highlighting the “Rad Things That Happened” throughout the year, but I stopped once 2020 hit because it seemed like “20 Bad Things That Happened in 2020” would have been more fitting, given the myriad of challenges the year presented – both pandemic-related and otherwise. And despite the wild year I’ve had, I decided to resurrect this recap tradition on my new blog (as most are non-adventure related).

The rad things:

• First and foremost, WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! Major stoke! The thrill of this major life milestone is simply indescribable. 

• I challenged myself to go birding everyday for the month of May and did every day but one. (and I honestly don’t know how the heck I managed to do that at all! More on that below in the first misadventure)

• After over a decade with my 5D Mark III I bought the moment it came out, I decided that it was time for a long overdue upgrade. I upgraded to the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless camera. While it took a bit of getting used to using a digital viewfinder, I absolutely love it! 

• We adopted a dog! He is a German Shepherd mix, and the absolute sweetest!

And now for the misadventures… The less than perfect moments that I experienced throughout the year:

• During one of my evening birding adventures, I found myself unintentionally caught in the crossfire of a Canada Goose altercation. It was a spectacle that I had not anticipated, and I doubt the feathery combatants had even registered my presence. The clash unfolded abruptly as one determined goose charged at its counterpart, stationed near me. In my attempt to evade the unfolding drama, I hastily ran up the hill, navigating uneven terrain with the added challenge of safeguarding my camera while the goose slid down the hill to escape the charge. Thankfully the geese, myself and my camera all escaped unscathed. Undoubtedly, for any onlookers, it must have been a wild scene to behold. Nature’s unpredictability never fails to add a thrilling dimension to birding adventures.

• Speaking of Canada Geese, usually nonchalant and seemingly familiar with my presence in prior years, took on an unexpectedly feisty demeanour this year. Even at familiar locations I frequented often (sometimes multiple times per day), their attitude towards people had shifted significantly. Unlike years past, when they wouldn’t give me a second glance (and some possibly even had recognized me) this year was a different story. (Maybe due to the significant wildfire smoke and/or the increase in being fed by humans) I had found myself in several instances where the geese were unequivocally unimpressed with human company leaving me with a number of moments of feeling genuinely intimidated by their assertiveness.

• Content Warning: TMI, Blood/Menstruation. Navigating a challenging health journey, I experienced a resurgence of my menstrual cycle after a hiatus of 2 and a half months, and it returned with unprecedented intensity. Over the course of 126 days, I faced a relentless 103 days of heavy bleeding. This period confined me to my home, and any venture outside, limited to an hour at most, was a nerve-wracking experience. Despite these constraints, I surprisingly managed to uphold my commitment to daily birding throughout the entire month of May, with just one exception (due to an allergic reaction).
  The ordeal of identifying the root cause of my prolonged and intense menstrual bleeding involved enduring numerous tests, including an exceptionally painful uterine biopsy. Countless visits to the doctor’s office became a new norm in my life. Fortunately, the exhaustive examinations ruled out any cancerous concerns, bringing immense relief. The culprit was identified as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
  To address the situation, I opted for an IUD, not necessarily my first choice, given my inability to take estrogen-based birth control. However, the decision proved beneficial, effectively managing the bleeding and restoring a sense of normalcy to my life. Grateful for the resolution, I now look back on this challenging period with appreciation for the medical intervention that brought relief and allowed me to resume a more regular routine.

• I’ve encountered my fair share of nerve-wracking driving experiences, but one summer night stands out as downright terrifying. As I was about to pick Josh up from work, the darkening sky prompted me to check the weather – we were in a storm watch, and the radar indicated that the city would be spared. I set out on the 20-minute drive to his workplace. In the mere five minutes I waited for him, the storm had shifted towards the city bringing a powerful gust of wind that shook my Jeep. We contemplated our plans for the evening – originally ice cream (sad day) and needed to pick up some milk, but quickly turned into a hasty decision to head home.
  As we left the area, the wind intensified further. I told Josh to keep an eye out for potential debris. Suddenly my Jeep was getting pelted – unsure if it was hail or I was getting shot at. The cacophony was deafening and we confirmed it was hail. Turning northbound, the rain joined the tumult. I’ve driven in rainstorms before, but nothing could have prepared me for the sheets of water and hail pelting us. Before reaching the first stoplight down that road, I had to pull over due to the intensity of the storm which overwhelmed the windshield wipers. Visibility plummeted, and water polled on the road. In the midst of the storm, fear took hold and I found myself screaming. I was terrified.
  After what felt like an eternity, the hail finally ceased and the rain lessened. Continuing our drive home, we encountered waterlogged roads, driving a cautious 30 km/h, it was a harrowing experience that I would rather not re-live.

• One late morning, as I accompanied Josh as he walked to his bus stop during our routine dog walk, we quickly sensed odd vibes from a vehicle in the vicinity. The driver, parked in a nearby lot, seemed fixated on the greenspace. We continued our walk down the path, and the vehicle eventually drove away. Keeping a watchful eye, we noticed it disappearing down the street as we moved out of view.
  Deciding to extend my walk that day – an unrestrained, aggressive dog was causing a commotion in a backyard enclosed by a low fence. Opting for caution, I turned around to head back home while Josh continued to his bus stop. I reached an intersection only to find that same vehicle eerily close. Chills ran down my spine. Determined to alter my route, I chose a different path back, reaching the playground swiftly while staying on the phone with Josh, then chatting with a family at the playground as they sensed my fear. The vehicle, unauthorizedly parked at the park’s entrance, lingered for an usual amount of time. Despite having my dog with me, I was freaked out.
  Initially planning to join a departing family, they vanished down the path too quickly. After a brief wait, I hastened my walk home, relieved that the vehicle didn’t follow, or see where I went. This unnerving incident serves as a crucial reminder to always stay vigilant of your surroundings and promptly leave any area where the vibes don’t feel right.

• Venturing out with our dog, Ranger to one of our regular birding locations for a pleasant afternoon stroll proved to be an eventful experience. Aware of the likelihood of encountering other people and dogs, we saw this as an excellent opportunity for him to socialize. The walk included a stretch of boardwalk, and another on a shared pathway. Upon reaching the pathway and noting the absence of other dogs, we decided to give Ranger a bit more freedom by putting him on a 30-foot leash. Concerned about him veering off the trail down into the wetlands, Josh went up the trail (about 10 feet too far) However, Ranger, VERY eager to reach Josh, took off at full speed before we had started walking. The force caught me off guard as he reached the end of his leash, and I was pulled to the ground with such intensity that it almost knocked the wind out of me. (He took a tumble as well, but was thankfully unscathed). In the aftermath, I was left with scrapes on my hand and leg, my body bore the marks of bruises, and the impact left me sore for several days. A valuable lesson was learned about gradually increasing the distance on the leash to avoid such unexpected and forceful encounters.

Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Tracey

INFORMATION

TMI = acronym for “too much information” 

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