29 September, 2011 The River This Morning
There was nothing earth-shaking (literally or figuratively) at Pony Pasture early this morning when I took Mackey and Roux and Turner on our Thursday hike. No mysteries of the universe were revealed, or at least no more than are revealed every time we’re there. And the light wasn’t award-winning, and the mosquitoes remain pesky. But a few pictures came out well, and they’re worth a post. In my opinion.
It’s going to frost in a month or so. That will be fantastic because the mosquitoes will be gone. I’m sure their mothers love them but personally I’d be as happy if they were somewhere I’m not. But the other thing about frost is, soon there will be no flowers until spring. So I’m getting a couple of pictures of the ones that remain. It’s misty at Pony Pasture in the morning now, and we’re arriving right at sunrise. The light we see is different all the time. Thursdays mornings we arrive around 7:15. When we get there in mid-June at the same time of day, the sun’s been up for an hour and a half. It comes up around 5:50. Now it’s just peeking over the horizon. The first week of November, just before the time changes, will be the latest sunrises of the year. It won’t come up until 7:40! It’s fun watching it change. Anyway, a picture or two. It was cloudy and right at sunrise. This picture is looking east, downstream, toward the sunrise, and it was gray and overcast and nearly monochrome:
This is standing in nearly the same spot, only turned upstream, and there’s a splash of color:
When we head down the river a little, there’s less breeze and the mist lingers:
That early in the morning color, as you see, is difficult to find. In the winter it will be nearly absent on overcast days. Some of the remaining flowers are whole, but most are threadbare or gone. This one is threadbare but the yellow is so bright:
This flower is quite small but not yet entirely threadbare. It’s perky and cheerful and ready for the sun come out. Which it eventually did:
After pondering for some time – these tasks involve an inordinate amount of pondering – I cleaned out my gutters and my shed roof yesterday. I also spent time straightening the tattered remains of my gardening efforts for 2011. I still have a little handful of tomatoes:
I shouldn’t have allowed my basil to flower but since I did I’ll enjoy it; it looks nice:
Mackey and Roux and Turner are great. This house is never quieter than the day after a river hike. Have a great day,
Jay
Saw your car in the pony parking lot this morning. Sorry Morgan and I didn’t run into you. I’m eager to meet Turner. The pics are great. The river is constantly changing and I appreciate that when you turned upstream, you found more color…as often happens when one looks up instead of down. Peace, Elaine and Morgan
Hi Elaine,
Glad you liked the pictures. It’s hard to take a bad one down there. You and Morgan will love Turner; he’s very cheerful and enthusiastic and energetic and puppy like. Have a great day,
Jay
Lovely! The next best thing to being there, thank you.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Next time, join us! Have a great day,
Jay
Beautiful! Your third river picture is very professional. It’s level, broken into thirds, the light directs the eye into the photo and the bottom left and top right corners are framed with leaves. And did I mention it’s beautiful?!?
Hi Grace,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Posts like that are a pleasure to put up. Mainly since you are first able to experience those scenes in real life. Especially the “third river picture” you mentioned. Because besides being professional, it was a beautiful, beautiful place to be. It was a nice instance. Then it was gone! That’s the thing about the river. It encourages you to experience each moment, because then it’s gone. Just like the season! Have a great day,
Jay
Wouldn’t all of those loving mosquito mothers be dead by now?
Perhaps they are Mosquito-thuselahs. They are no doubt retired and probably heading south for their condos in Miami.