Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Wild Geese at Sunset

October and November are fly-in months for the migrating wild geese. Every lake and pond has its avian contingent, with more arriving daily to swell the ranks. Mr. M tells me that the marshy lake-around-the-corner is simply covered with them, so on an icily windy Sunday afternoon I take my camera and head out, hoping for some good photos.

As I turn the corner, I hear the scolding of disturbed geese, and am just in time to catch the tail end of a large flock that is flying off in high dudgeon. A man with a small yappy dog has just walked past, and these geese will have none of it.


There are, however, a few who remain calmly on the water. You can see them in the photo below if you look closely:


Oops - they've seen me. Another batch takes off in panic and flies northwards:


The clocks were turned back this morning; darkness is gathering earlier than expected. It's just a bit depressing to have the sun sinking so low at only 4 in the afternoon. However, the setting sun makes a lovely backdrop for dried goldenrod...


...and the strange alien shapes of milkweed pods:


Especially stunning against the sky is an old oak tree next to the trail. In leafy summer it looks merely massive, but come autumn, when the leaves drop, it reveals a stately beauty of bare branch and queenly form:


All the time I've been taking these photos, geese have been flying to and from the small lake. Another flock passes overhead, honking wildly:


(What do they honk about? I imagine their conversation: "Look, there's a pond!" "Where?" "Over there, you doofus!" "Who are you calling a doofus?" "I don't like the looks of this place. Can't we find anything better?" "It can't be that bad - I see other geese on the water." "Let's try it. If we don't like it we can always go somewhere else." "Mom, I'm hungry. When are we gonna stop flying?")

Meanwhile, the sunset is growing in beauty.


The old water tower is tinted peach in the evening light:


Next to the trail is a marvellous tangle of tiny grasses...


...and overhead are branches beaded with the promise of spring to come.


In the east, all is cool and serene...


...while the western flames burn their brightest before dying down to ash.


By the time I reach home, it's nearly dark, and barely 5 o'clock. (Sigh.) I remind myself that less daylight = more crochet time. I must comfort myself with yarn.

But first to the kitchen, where dough is rising. Homemade pizza for supper.

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I would do away with Daylight Savings Time if I could. I'd much rather keep the clocks at the same time year-round. How do you feel about it?

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16 comments:

  1. I am definitely a big fan of Eastern Standard Time. I love snuggling into my house when it gets dark outside. I eat more at home when it gets dark earlier. I LOVE the late autumn and winter. Summer in Florida is just bright (read: HOT) far too long.

    Your photos are beautiful. I especially like the sunset pictures.

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  2. I agree on not changing the time.. it's disrupting and come on.. let's just leave it the same all year. I loved your photos of the countryside and the geese. They are flying over Oregon now, probably heading your way. :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Beautiful pictures but it does look so cold already the dark nights depress me and I feel my mood getting low even from now, it's like the day has ended at 4pm, I agree with you why do they have to change the time it makes no sense to me. Love the flying geese pictures they have a huge play ground. Have a great day. :)

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  4. I hear you loud and clear Sue about the Daylight Saving Time. The clocks went back whilst I was in England end of October and in many newspapers there was the headline: The Clocks Are Changing Perhaps For The Last Time Ever. On hearing my squeal of delight my mother retored that she had read the same headline for a few years now. Oh well.

    I fight tooth and nail (inwardly) against summer's departure. The thought of entering a long, dark tunnel until spring always makes me nervous. However, once autumn has truly arrived I quieten down and enjoy the more subtle beauty which late autumn and winter offers us. Your pictures capture that beauty perfectly Sue. Yesterday on returning home late afternoon with the children I slowed down to admire the stark silhouettes of the trees against a coloured sky. So much beauty, don't you think?

    It does sound as though températures have dropped a lot more in your corner of the world. We've had, smugness aside, the most amazing autumn with very clement températures. Last night was our first frost. I suppose you've put your trusted bike away now?

    Warmest wishes,

    Stephanie

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  5. I love all the shots of the flying geese, they look so elegant in the sky. It looks as if all the leaves have fallen from the trees in your part of the world. The bare branches are so expressive!

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  6. Such lovely photos. I so love the beautiful pictures of the trees against the sky...so lovely. :) Yeah, I think daylight savings time is a joke, too. It's in sane for it to be dark at 500pm...insane. Hope you have a lovely day. :)

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  7. Yours truly has been fussing since Sunday because the saved daylight is at the wrong end of the day for me! I do not want to [find it difficult/unsafe for me to] drive in the dark and am currently debating eliminating attending Saturday night vespers and any nighttime activity away from home :( However, the savings are no doubt benefitting someone, and like you I can appreciate the beauty around us as the seasons change.
    Your posts are a gift to me, Sue. I appreciate your artistry [including your humor :)] Thanks XXX

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  8. Hi sue...I loved your geese conversation....so funny :0) I'll think about that the next time I hear some flying overhead, honking away.
    I would much prefer to leave the clocks as they are too. It's still dark when we get up in the morning, even with the change.
    I loved all your gorgeous and atmospheric photos, thanks for sharing.
    Jacquie x

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  9. I am so with you on the abandonment of Daylight Saving Time. Just keep the clock the same all year. I hate getting off work in the dark! I don't mind winter too much, but oh, how I hate not getting any daylight on either end!

    Lovely pictures; you always capture such intricate autumn treasures.

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  10. i Love your pictures. they capture the cold winter coming in a lovely way.
    I kind of like the time change...silly me. More knitting time. Fires in the fireplace....
    sitting on the radiators

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  11. Hmmmm... What's on your Thanksgiving table this year? I think I like the oak tree and milkweed pods the best. Yet, The old water tower has a bit of a Flash Gordon spaceship vibe to it. In any case, a very nice selection of photos.

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  12. Hi Sue! I love all your photos, so stunning with the changing light! Here in Belgium the clocks have also changed back and it gets dark sooner. However, we are in November now, so we just have to accept it! I also enjoy being home and doing a bit of crochet! :) Loved your comment about the geese talking! :)
    Happy crocheting!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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  13. I think the geese are saying, "Who's that good looking woman with the camera?"
    Hey, I know my birds!
    Stay warm!

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  14. Your photos are beautiful and they really capture the essence of this time of year. I love the darker afternoons and evenings so far, but I know I'll be wishing for more light in a couple of months. I especially liked seeing the geese against the sky, I miss the annual goose exodus where I'm living now.

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  15. I vote for no silly time changes.
    I love the conversations of the geese.
    I am a bit sad that that the leaves changes and fell so very fast this year. Too cold too quick. :(

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  16. First of all your pictures are gorgeous. I would never change the time. The reasons for it now are silly. I still haven't adapted and it has almost been a week!
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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