Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Three Pictures Ride

Last week the weather was casting a sentimental eye back at winter. "Oh, how I miss those sub-freezing nights and chilly grey days," it seemed to be saying. "Where are the cosy fleece jackets and the smoke rising from the chimneys? Where the sharp sleet and the flurries of snow? I'm not quite ready to let them go...."

The weather got its wish, but only for so long.

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By Sunday things have warmed up beautifully, and I'm ready to hit the road. Between the recent inclement weather and a minor health problem, I haven't been on the bike for two weeks, and it feels as though spring is passing me by. This is my chance to catch up on events in the natural world.

Energy levels are low, so I promise myself an easy pace with no pressure to take photos. If I can get three good ones, I'll be happy.

The first thing to catch my eye is a white birch reaching pale arms to the sky, hoping to catch the moon in its branches:


Miles later, after a short swoop downhill, I pass a sandhill crane standing in a little stream. I turn around, hoping he won't panic and run (or stalk) away before I can snap his photo. He cranes his neck a bit (ha! bird pun!), keeping a wary eye on the strange creature pointing a little box at him, but stands still long enough for me to get several shots. This is the best of the bunch:


Soon after, it's time to turn around and head home. I pass an old barn and see a little calf standing on the sunward side, catching some spring rays:


The photo quest is fulfilled.

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There are other interesting sights on the ride, food for thought (but not for photos):

A one-horse sulky pulls out of a farm driveway just as I pass. A man holds the reins, and next to him sits a little girl in a helmet. Does she have special needs, or just very careful parents? I wonder, and wave to them, and keep riding.

Four very handsome chickens cross the road ahead. Two black, two deep-russet colour, all beautifully healthy and as free-range as they come. Do their owners worry about them getting hit by passing cars? Or is that just a chance for a chicken dinner?

My shadow rides on in front of me, and I wonder why it always looks so much skinnier than I do. I wonder why the county doesn't keep this highway in better repair. I wonder why corners are always so gravelly, and why drivers can't keep their wheels on the road when they make the turns. (Don't they realise that cyclists have to ride through the mess they leave behind?)

I wonder when the wild plum will bloom, and whether the lilac crop will be good this year. I wonder if the calf by the barn is still standing in the sun, or whether it's gone to look for its mother. I wonder what has happened to the three horses that used to graze in a certain field. I wonder if I'll ever stop feeling nervous when a loud car passes me from behind. I wonder why the weather website said the wind was 6 mph and north, when it's obviously 10-15 and west-by-northwest. I wonder what the frogs are saying as they sing the marsh to sleep.

I wonder....

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What do you think about when you're outdoors? :)

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13 comments:

  1. Snowflakes... designing snowflakes as the miles silently click by...

    I'm glad you were able to ride again! I've had a couple of awesome ones, too!

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  2. Sounds like a lovely ride, and your photos are great, especially the sandhill crane. Sorry you've been under the weather, good to see you back on your bike though, I hope you're back to full strength and energy very soon. I love the freedom of thoughts on a bike ride, although I do spend a quite a while thinking "I wish they'd stop messing around at the front". Mostly the thoughts just roll around over the countryside and little inconsequential things. I think it's quite healthy for the brain as well as the body, I always feel more positive afterwards. CJ xx

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  3. I must say your rides are getting prettier. I wonder why the chickens crossed the road.

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  4. Well, NOW I'll be thinking that I wish I could walk/run/bike in YOUR neighborhood instead of mine. LOL Beautiful pictures.

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  5. "my shadow rides in front of me..." What a great line

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  6. It sounds like you had a lovely bike ride. I'm glad you're feeling well enough to be back on your bike and that the weather is cooperating more. Love the picture of the crane and also the one of the calf. Thank you for painting such a pretty picture for us. Blessings, Betsy

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  7. I do so admire your riding and I'm sure you're as thin as your shadow, the sun doesn't lie. Love the bird and calf. I'm at the beach for the week, recuperating from my trip to New Orleans. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. Thank you for your kind comment, my dear friend. I have missed you! Hoping to keep in better touch - at least during these coming summer months. What a lovely space you have cultivated here. Thank you for taking me on your walk with you. I do always worry about the animals neighbors allow to roam across the road. My parents live on a country road and the other day I did see a chicken poofed upon the side of the road.Such a shame. It was of a lovely speckled variety, too. But enough of that!
    May your spring shine brighter every day and bring you all the joys of the season!

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  9. I love your three photo's and all your wonderings, fleeting thoughts I'm sure mine are similar but I forget them as soon as I have thought them. Sorry you have been unwell and hope you have fully recovered. :) xx

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  10. Your photos are beautiful, I love a good old barn and of course a cute cow peeking from the bushes.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  11. It's always fun to tag-along with you on your adventures. :) Any hooky business going on lately? Blessings to you always sweet friend.

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  12. Sue you've just described to perfection the wandering thoughts of my mind when I'm alone. It doesn't happen very often so I really do enjoy any peaceful moment I can get with my little inner voice. Sometimes though, I get so caught up in my thoughts that I begin to worry that I may be speaking aloud. That's fine if I'm in the middle of nowhere walking the dogs but in town, now that's a different matter altogether. My mother talks to herself when she's alone hanging the washing on the line and she can be heard having a full conversation with herself while in the shower. First sign of madness you know!!!! Well that's what my Mum always said.
    Rosie

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  13. I don't have a bike
    but I do like a hike,
    my walks aren't as pretty
    as I live in a city

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