Water on the sidewalk is good.
Water on the sage is also good, and pretty.
Water is welcome!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Today, rain.
Finally, a little rain. Even though there's a prediction for some amount of snow later in the evening, I will take any water the skies want to give in any form possible.
Water on the sidewalk is good.
Water on the sage is also good, and pretty.
Water is welcome!
Water on the sidewalk is good.
Water on the sage is also good, and pretty.
Water is welcome!
Kaw River State Park, The Low Time
The Kaw River is a much different river right now than it was in June when I last posted pictures from the Kaw River State Park. It's very low, and there are huge sandbars that were not at all visible in June.
I could walk down the boat ramp quite a ways for some downriver views.
And some views across the river, with the wide sandy banks showing.
The trail back into the woods was full of bright colors in the afternoon sun.
These bushes, some about 15 feet high, lined the trail as far back as I could see. There were robins very interested in them, who I don't think appreciated my presence. These are just lovely, the bright red berries and the glowing green foliage. However, I have discovered that these may be the very invasive amur honeysuckle, which is not a good thing to have there.
There were lots of amazing trees sporting amazing colors, too.
Most amazing sight of the day, perhaps, is this view of the valley taken from the top of the hill on the road down to the river, a 15% grade that has to be closed in the winter whenever it's slick. Thanks to Richard Mote for stopping on the road so I could hop out and take this picture.
And just one more, along the less steep part of the road. There are trails leading off all over the place. Someday if I feel up to it, there are places I would like to explore along them.
It was a wonderful afternoon, and a well-timed visit. Today it rained.
I could walk down the boat ramp quite a ways for some downriver views.
And some views across the river, with the wide sandy banks showing.
The trail back into the woods was full of bright colors in the afternoon sun.
These bushes, some about 15 feet high, lined the trail as far back as I could see. There were robins very interested in them, who I don't think appreciated my presence. These are just lovely, the bright red berries and the glowing green foliage. However, I have discovered that these may be the very invasive amur honeysuckle, which is not a good thing to have there.
There were lots of amazing trees sporting amazing colors, too.
Most amazing sight of the day, perhaps, is this view of the valley taken from the top of the hill on the road down to the river, a 15% grade that has to be closed in the winter whenever it's slick. Thanks to Richard Mote for stopping on the road so I could hop out and take this picture.
And just one more, along the less steep part of the road. There are trails leading off all over the place. Someday if I feel up to it, there are places I would like to explore along them.
It was a wonderful afternoon, and a well-timed visit. Today it rained.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Cricket-O-Lantern
OK, yes, I will on occasion post insufferably cute dog pictures, like these.
We could be excused because she really did need a sweater for the chill that is now creeping into the air. Chihuahuas are from much warmer climes, and don't carry a big load of fur to keep them warm. She resisted at first, but once it was on she cavorted around the yard with no problem, and even liked wearing it in the house while napping on the couch.
Happy Howl-O-Ween!
We could be excused because she really did need a sweater for the chill that is now creeping into the air. Chihuahuas are from much warmer climes, and don't carry a big load of fur to keep them warm. She resisted at first, but once it was on she cavorted around the yard with no problem, and even liked wearing it in the house while napping on the couch.
Happy Howl-O-Ween!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Heron Hunter Moon
Out at Lake Shawnee the past couple of nights, I was graced with the gorgeous face of the Moon.
Above images from October 11. Hunter's Moon, so called, some believe, because the falling of the leaves and the clearing of crops from the fields made it easier to track creatures under the bright Moon's light. Also, the cooler weather is better for butchering and preserving meat. Stock up the larder, Winter is coming.
The next night, we went back out hoping for a sight of the Moon and Jupiter. We did see those, but we were also granted the presence of a heron perching on a snag in the middle of this part of the lake, under the light of the Hunter's Moon.
The heron arrived before we could see the Moon, and then, she appeared:
The heron stayed, as far as I know, the entire time we were there under the Hunter's Moon.
The Moon alone, never as interesting to me as when She plays with trees and clouds and the lake, but this was the gorgeous color of her face when she rose out of the clouds.
There was a very strong moon path this night. At times the waves on the lake made it appear like a series of Moons rippling through part of the water.
As far as the Moon and Jupiter, it was indeed a wonderful sight, but my photographic capabilities could not do it justice. Imagine the Moon above in the image below, and reflected on the rippling lake, add the conversation of the geese and the patient heron still sitting, and you will come closer to the wonder of it all.
Above images from October 11. Hunter's Moon, so called, some believe, because the falling of the leaves and the clearing of crops from the fields made it easier to track creatures under the bright Moon's light. Also, the cooler weather is better for butchering and preserving meat. Stock up the larder, Winter is coming.
The next night, we went back out hoping for a sight of the Moon and Jupiter. We did see those, but we were also granted the presence of a heron perching on a snag in the middle of this part of the lake, under the light of the Hunter's Moon.
The heron arrived before we could see the Moon, and then, she appeared:
The heron stayed, as far as I know, the entire time we were there under the Hunter's Moon.
The Moon alone, never as interesting to me as when She plays with trees and clouds and the lake, but this was the gorgeous color of her face when she rose out of the clouds.
There was a very strong moon path this night. At times the waves on the lake made it appear like a series of Moons rippling through part of the water.
As far as the Moon and Jupiter, it was indeed a wonderful sight, but my photographic capabilities could not do it justice. Imagine the Moon above in the image below, and reflected on the rippling lake, add the conversation of the geese and the patient heron still sitting, and you will come closer to the wonder of it all.
Monday, October 10, 2011
A Little Balm
My friend Sandra, whose blog I follow, gave me a little lemon balm plant.
I took the plant stake out of the Monarda, which no longer needs it as a "don't mow over me" protector. The stake is about 20" high, so we'll see what kind of progress the lemon balm makes come Spring. That is, if it survives the winter. I have every reason to believe it will; the mint family is tough.
I took the plant stake out of the Monarda, which no longer needs it as a "don't mow over me" protector. The stake is about 20" high, so we'll see what kind of progress the lemon balm makes come Spring. That is, if it survives the winter. I have every reason to believe it will; the mint family is tough.
Anti-KXL Pipeline
There was a demonstration on September 26, against the Keystone pipeline project.
Interestingly, also attended by these folks below, who said they were union people.
They put their signs back in this vehicle,
And I'm betting eventually got back on this bus. I asked one of them, "Do you live in Kansas?" and he said, hesitatingly, "No, I live in Arkansas." Hmm.
Ah, well. As far as I know, all the pipeline opponents there were from Kansas.
Interestingly, also attended by these folks below, who said they were union people.
They put their signs back in this vehicle,
And I'm betting eventually got back on this bus. I asked one of them, "Do you live in Kansas?" and he said, hesitatingly, "No, I live in Arkansas." Hmm.
Ah, well. As far as I know, all the pipeline opponents there were from Kansas.
Infamous Ice Cream
We found this late one night at the Dillon's at Fleming Place. Actually, it was pretty good. Lots of rum flavor.
Why, there was a Moon out there
Now that it's Full Moon time again already, I get around to posting last month's Full Moon. So, the Full Moon of September, at Lake Shawnee. Enjoy, I always do.
Moon in the water.
There was a lot of some kind of "stuff" in the water that added an interesting texture to the moon path.
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