dark smoky billows
smother reflections of flames
ominous sunset
*Not from a fire, although we’ve had a few wildfires in the region this summer.
Tumbling Down
When the Canada geese (not Canadian geese, please – they don’t have passports) start moving between fields and estuaries, in morning and evening flights, you know they are into autumn behaviour. They graze in the fields, picking at kernels of corn and anything else left behind in the harvest. Part of the day is spent near the water, preferably a river estuary, where they are relatively safe from approach by land, and where they can find bits of food, as they keep their feet cool while they soak up any sunshine that might still peek through gathering clouds.
Flights are constantly moving between field and stream, usually early in the morning and late at night. In the first video clip, the flocks are moving from the fields to the estuaries. In the second one you can see them tumbling out of the sky as they get ready to approach their destination. They seem to fold up their wings and tumble, open them to steady themselves, and then fold them again as needed. It’s their way of putting the brakes on and coming in for landing.
Please turn on the sound.
Anybody Home?
Are you in there, Turtle dear,
Hiding in your shell?
I don’t mean to make you fear,
I would treat you well.
But you’re smart to stay inside,
Waiting ’til it’s quiet,
Better to keep still and hide,
Not to cause a riot.
When my footsteps fade away,
And it’s safe to peek,
You will live another day,
Playing hide and seek.
A Gift
Photo by Pat G.
another sunrise
are we not the lucky ones–
a gift to savour
The Useful Fig Tree
This fig tree came to my garden as a rooted cutting, a gift from a friend. It was about ten inches high in a small black pot. I found a place for it in the corner of my veggie garden. Little did I know that the compost bin next to it would seep out nutrition for it and turn it into a seven foot tree in just a few years.
This year it had 52 figs on it, and after I picked them, the branches loaded up again with a second crop. I think it’s one of the few plants in my garden that really likes me.
I live on Vancouver Island – not in the Mediterranean or western Asia where they originated – but my fig tree grew happily anyway.
Thank heaven, the Mediterranean fig trees had leaves that were supposedly perfect for covering the private parts of those famous ancient naked sculptures. Fig leaves must have seen a lot of use, as there are so many sculptures made in the old civilizations.
So now I know the answer to something I’ve questioned all these years. Why did the old masters make so many of their sculptures naked? The answer is of course, they had a lot of fig leaves available.
Musical Houses
Apologies for the cell phone quality of the photo, but this post is more about content than photography.
My neighbour who took the cougar video in a previous post, also took a picture of this house he built with birds in mind.
The birds didn’t even have time to get interested when the squirrels decided to move in and occupy the premises with their expanding family of at least three babies. I doubt if they stayed long, but it was a funhouse for the kids. Too bad the cell phone doesn’t take clearer photos. Mine is the same. It’s not a high end phone and pictures taken quickly and at any distance just don’t come out that clear. But if we overlook the blurriness, the idea of these little guys exploring the three-storey house makes me smile. I felt it was worth posting regardless of the quality.
I wonder if they played musical chairs with the houses. Remember that game? There was always one fewer chair than there were children. We marched around to the music not straying too far from the chairs and when the music stopped, we had to sit down on a chair. One child was always left without a chair, so he was “out.” Another chair was removed and the game began again. Each time one child was out of luck and another chair was removed. At last there was only one chair and two children. I shudder to think of the scramble for that last chair. I would be tempted to declare two winners.
I’m sure the squirrels scrambled around these birdhouses. Maybe they played “King of the Castle” instead.
Hopeful Sky
We search for the silver lining, as clouds loom over us in our everyday life.
But just look! Things can always get better.
The silver lining has turned to gold.
Clouds may loom
Through doom and gloom,
But please do stop your whining.
The heavens changed
And rearranged
To gold, the silver lining.
Sunday Sailors
What an opportunity to learn to sail! The protected bay is perfect for it. A very light breeze keeps the would-be sailors on their toes, lest they get caught making a turn in the wrong direction.
Yes, there is strength in numbers, taking courage from each other, as long as they don’t all need help at the same time.
The guide boats keep a close watch on their assigned groups and are motorized for quick access to anyone needing extra help.
As long as you don’t end up in the water unexpectedly, this could be a lot of fun.
One other day when the sea was less calm it must have been training day, and luckily almost everyone was prepared for this “rescue mission.”
Or perhaps it was done on purpose to show the would-be sailors what to do if they took a wrong turn and flipped over.
They were obviously prepared for getting wet that day.
I think I’ll just stay on dry land whenever I can.
Decisions, Decisions!
Do you see the tiny morsel of food that is crawling along the stucco wire towards the hummingbird?
Decisions, decisions,
A lunch snack for me,
A coming incision
Will soon have to be.
An ant suicidal
Is now within reach,
It’s protein not vital,
Won’t taste like a peach.
It’s truly quite bitter,
In more ways than one,
I say with a twitter,
Your good luck is done.
The red scarlet bean bloom
With nectar awaits,
It helps with the gloom,
While the ant taste abates.
Here, Kitty Kitty!
A couple of months ago, this kitty was visiting our neighbourhood, just three doors down from us. A brave neighbour took this footage with his cellphone to document the visit. Notice Kitty’s kinked tail. I shudder to think how he/she hurt it, but it seems to be an older injury.
Now the question is, what is Kitty eating to stay in what is obviously pretty good shape?
Are you lost my Kitty, dear?
This is just a hunch,
All the neighbourhood’s in fear
They’ll become your lunch.
Little puppies stay inside
Keeping out of sight,
Best you find a place to hide,
Lest you get a fright.
Time for housecats not to stray,
Hunting precious birds,
Near your home, it’s best to stay
Heed your mama’s words.
Bunny rabbits, hop, hop, hop,
Nibbling garden plants,
Pay attention, stop, stop, stop,
Or Kitty grabs your pants.
I could climb up in this tree,
And escape the threat,
But he still might follow me,
Faster too, I’ll bet.
Oh my goodness, I have heard,
Kitty’s on the prowl,
Mama says to heed her word,
If Kitty starts to growl.
Surely Kitty needs more food
Than just a little squirrel,
But if hunger is his mood,
I’ll leave with one quick swirl.
Cooling down was so much fun,
But what did I see?
Kitty is a sneaky one
Wanting to eat me.
wordsfromanneli 