Monday, August 31, 2015

Eating is So Over Rated

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As summer winds its way into fall I find myself content to stay close to Little Red.

The Kid has spent the past weeks flying here and there while I stayed put squeezing every last drop out of summer.  Warm afternoons are giving way to cool evenings and all too soon the leaves will begin to fall.  The gaggle of geese in the cove grows larger by the day and someone recently mentioned football season is upon us.

I say hold your horses fall.  I'm not finished with summer just yet.  There is still a lot of baseball to be played and I haven't kayaked nearly enough.  My thinking is if I don't leave the cottage summer won't end.

The Kid says it won't work.  I have to leave.  We're out of food.

I say, eating is so over rated.




Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Slow and Steady

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A slow and steady rain is falling.

The sound of it through open windows a melody softly strumming.

A welcome gift to the dry and brown that surrounds Little Red.

Slow and steady means whatever is given will be absorbed and savored by this thirsty land instead of bouncing off hard packed clay and rushing in a torrent to lower ground.

A slow and steady rain is falling.

A life lesson on a quiet Tuesday morning.










Thursday, August 6, 2015

Where The Wild Things Are

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It has been a "wild" summer here at Little Red.

There have been sightings of the usual: wild turkey, white tail deer, the occasional bald eagle and of course a multitude of little hummers who dart in and out of the feeders with such regularity we have considered initiating adoption proceedings.

In addition to the usual, this summer has been marked by the unusual.

It started in June with the fox.  Neighbors began reporting spotting red fox on the lane, mostly in the early evening hours.  The sightings grew more frequent along with reports that chickens and ducks were disappearing from hen houses and ponds in the general vicinity.  It culminated after dinner one evening when Henna sounded the intruder alarm.  She was raising such a ruckus that a thorough investigation was prudent.  That's when I discovered not one, not two but seven red fox of various ages and stages frolicking in the meadow behind our barn.  They are beautiful creatures with deep rusty red red coats, bushy tails tipped in white and upright ears always on alert.  I quietly watched their play until eventually the family grew tired and headed into the woods for the night.  After that evening the fox sightings waned and we assume they eventually moved on.

And then there are the screechers.  The crazy hawks that hang out in the massive tree in the same meadow screeching and swooping and raising such a ruckus you would think we were under attack.  This can go on for hours, a hawk frat party run amuck.  It is fun to watch but ear protection is advised.

The latest visitor(s) to the BAA is a bit more concerning.  It keeps to the cover of darkness venturing out only after dark when the neighborhood quiets and activity ceases for the day.  It leaves behind its calling card as a reminder that we live in an area where animals of all sizes roam wild and free.  What is it you ask?  There's bahr in them thar woods!

Bear scat has been spotted on several occasions and locations in the meadow behind the barn.  At first near the woods but once as close as the front porch retaining wall at our neighbors to the south.  It is most likely a black bear that has found an abundant food source in nearby woods and corn fields. The most recent evidence was detected beneath the old pine tree just yards from our barn.

On one level I would love to see it.  Watch it lumber along in all of its bear glory doing its bear thing. Have a photo session.  A conversation.  Invite it to dinner.

On second thought, maybe not.

I think I will just keep an eye out for its calling card and be satisfied knowing one of God's great creatures has paid a visit to Little Red.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Light and Shadows

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"If you don't have any shadows you're not in the light."
                                                                      Lady Gaga

The play of light and shadow can make or break an image.  How well the shadow is utilized determines the effectiveness of the photograph.  Photography is all about light.  And sometimes the best light casts a shadow.  If the shadow is in your way....move, or better yet, make it work for you.

The same can be said in life.

Keep your eye on the light and use the shadows to your advantage.