Sing A Song Of Seasons
In this part of the world, October is the month of autumn colors. Nature gently foreshadowed the approaching change by dropping a few hints in August, and in September the character of Autumn opened the door and entered the scene. But now that we have turned the page to October, Autumn is strutting proudly to center stage, with fire and energy. A new act has begun, and Nature has changed both the set and the wardrobe.
Picking Nets
I had an uncle who was a commercial fisherman, working in the north Atlantic off the coast of Nova Scotia. When I was a boy, my family occasionally made the long drive from Michigan to visit on summer vacation. A child of the Midwest, I was far more familiar with woods and fields than the seashore, and I found the life there fascinating.
Foggy Memory
Two years ago, I took a trip with my granddaughter, Anastasia, to spend time together, make some memories, and connect with our ancestry. We visited a beautiful region of Canada where my mother—Ana's great-grandmother—came from: the coast of Nova Scotia.
Sunny Disposition
There are many varieties of sunflower, and I'm no expert. This might be Maximilian. But the precise taxonomy I will leave to others; to me, it's just a bright, beautiful sunflower shining happily at the side of the woodland.
Solitary Confinement
Deep in the mountain forest, many miles from anything resembling a town, far from camp, I had seen no people, no cars, for some time. The only sounds were bird calls and the vague muttering of the wind. Standing on a ridge, looking out across the mountains,
Woodland Fog
A walk in a piney woodland is always a treasure, but when graced with fog it is a treasure with a dividend, a happy bonus that transforms the woods into a realm of magic and mystery.
Mind Afloat
Do you ever stare into a flowing river? Slip into a dream upon the ripples of a stream? Allow the turmoil of the flowing water to calm your mind and carry away the turmoil of your thoughts? Lose yourself in the flashing interplay of sparkling light upon the surface of a running brook?
Mountain Moonrise & Dante's Sunset
The sun was settling low over the Panamint Mountains to the west. It was the subject that held the attention of the handful of people standing along the narrow ridge called Dante's View, atop the adjoining Amargosa Mountains to the east. Between the ranges lay the vast salt basin of Death Valley. Like the others, I had driven up to Dante's View and then walked out along the dirt trail to watch the sunset. With a few clouds ringing the horizon the setting sun created a wonderful show, grabbing everyone's attention.
Many Happy Returns
From the edge of the lake, I watched turtles, fish, frogs, snakes, and birds, all going about the business of living their lives, while the sun played hide-and-seek among fat, lazy clouds, and insects hummed, chirruped, and buzzed. Nearby, a woodpecker added rhythmic percussion to the skirl of a catbird's call. In the distance, musical voices of children, laughing and calling out to each other, made me smile, remembering moments long ago at this same park with my wide-eyed, two-year-old son just beginning to discover the amazing sights and sounds of Nature.
In The Presence Of Giants
The day was cold and gray. Camping in the forest near the river, I was awakened not by the usual birdsong, but by a brief passing shower spattering the roof of the tent. I ate breakfast in the car before driving up into the mountains. Ascending more than four thousand feet along twisting curves and switchbacks, I drove into the clouds to visit the ancient trees.