Sunday, December 2, 2012

A Damp Walk

The thermometer reads a deceptive 45º this afternoon - but the air is full of moisture and feels much cooler than that.

Nature is quiet today, the trees and grasses muted and pale. With no grandeur of autumn to be seen, I set out in search of small beauties. Here is the first - a pine cone sleeping on a thick bed of needles:


The marshy lake around the corner is all silvery-grey under the sky:


Birds on the wires above all fly away at my approach, except this brave little soul. What is he thinking of as he gazes into the west?


(Insect soup would be my guess.)

Along the marsh's edge grow some exotic-looking grasses with swooping seed heads:


Around a corner and onto the trail, where wild grass and goldenrod make a study in pale browns, with a twisty-barked oak behind:


A flock of geese flies over, honking and heading north:


(Why north? They're looking for a pond to sleep on.)

In a touching show of faith, the snowmobile clubs have been out marking the trails. I hope this winter offers them more sport than last winter did.


I had no idea we were growing such dangerous crops in the vicinity:


(There's no telling what mischief those genetically modified seeds might get up to.)

Statutory goldenrod picture:


(Why does this flower fascinate me so in its dried state? Something to do with the graceful drooping curve of the blossom head.)

A pleasing swoop of wire fence on the border of the prairie restoration project:


Though most of the trees are bare, this one is still covered with dry brown leaves that whisper in the tiny breeze:


Wild asparagus are sporting bright-red seeds that look like little Christmas decorations:


I pass the glassy pond behind the high school, just in time to catch a rosy reflection of the sinking sun:


Can it really be December? (Already?) And only 23 days until Christmas - doesn't seem possible.

A very good walk, though chilly and damp. Did you spend any time outdoors today? If so, what did you do?

~

P.S. To my knitting friends and/or cooking friends, be sure to check out Annie's giveaway over at Knitsofacto - she has two wonderful books on offer. The deadline for entering is December 6th.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

23 comments:

  1. What a lovely walk and noticing all things of beauty as you go on your way - and finishing with a rewarding sunset in the pond. We had a little snow here so the roads were slippery for walking very far.

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  2. Replies
    1. I think the wheat was planted by Zachary Smith.... :)

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  3. Hubby and I had a 2 mile walk at a beautiful park this morning before a stop for coffee at a favorite place. Then home to chat with consultant about replacing our cracked rain barrel and onto stringing exterior Christmas lights (while in our shirt sleeves!). It was another warm (record breaking ?) day in the midwest. Our bulbs are beginning to pop through the mulch!! It's tooooo warm! Let's pray for winter temps!

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    1. Amen to that. And LOTS of snow for the moisture! :)

      (Midwest? Where do you live?)

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    2. St Louis Mo suburbs for 27 yrs. We lived previously in Colo for 10 yrs and can't figure out why we moved back here! Oh I remember, it's called employment and caring for ill relatives.

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  4. Your pictures take me away and make me dream... i love the coming of winter, first frosty air, the plants touched by coolness of the nights. i wish to go to such walk...
    thanks for sharing the beauty of the place you live in. it it marvelous!
    I was indoors mostly, went to the cinema in the evening, then crocheted a doily.:)will check out the link you gave. have a nice Monday!

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  5. I love reading your stories while you take you walks. The scenery is always so soothing and calm. I have finally finished my crochet blankets and posted one up for a giveaway. Today....resting my wrist! Shari

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    1. I'll have to hop over and see your work - I'm behind on my blog reading! :)

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  6. I had no idea that wild asparagus produced red berries like that - not what I would have expected at all! Juliex

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    1. They're quite pretty, especially earlier in the fall when the foliage turns bright yellow.

      :)

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  7. Every Season has its beauty, and you certainly picture it.

    Why do we see so many Geese, heading "in the wrong direction"? ,-)

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    1. Looking for the nearest open water, I suspect. :)

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  8. Dear Mrs. Micawber,
    Insect soup. Yuk. Those birds. No accounting for taste. At least they won't have to worry about MSG. :) LOVE that sunset shot. Ahhhhhhh......

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    1. I don't know - everything seems to contain MSG these days. It's probably what makes the bugs seem to taste so good to the birds.... :)

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  9. A lovely walk with lots of interest, especially the Winter Wheat...

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    1. Thank you, T-a. Really I think the warning sign was to keep snowmobilers out of that field - but it did strike me as a bit humorous.

      :)

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  10. I spent the afternoon riding - I kept waiting for the sun to come out and burn off the fog, as promised in eastern Minnesota. It was damp and cold but lovely. I didn't see any dangerous wheat.

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    1. I would have liked to ride yesterday, but various things prevented it....

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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