5 days ago, the land had a pre-Spring look.
The snow was all but gone.
As always there were images to capture.
Everywhere we looked, there were more geese.
Clucking and nattering, recounting tales of their respective journeys.
A documentary movie, released in 2001, followed bird movements. It was entitled “Winged Migration”.
It was filmed over 3 years on all 7 continents.
As I recall, it included scenes of birds being shot out of the sky, which I did not like, but it was after all, a true accounting of bird migration.
Another of my favourite trees, bursting with new life.
Everything refreshed and renewed.
Phragmites, is one of those invasive species we are supposed to do battle with, yet I always enjoy them.
They remain erect in all weathers and all seasons.
And I think they make pretty pictures.
It could be said that mankind is an invasive species.
We leave our detritus everywhere.
This old concrete block is leftover from some earlier infrastructure, probably part of a power conduit.
The tree is not actually emerging from the concrete. It has taken root underneath and is growing up through the open centre of the block.
Nature will eventually take back her property.
As we drove along on this fine day, I felt that the trees were standing proud, having thrown off all vestiges of last summer, free now to begin again.
It may sound silly, but I had the image of someone emerging from a shower, fresh and clean.
Ready to face a new day.
The pylons of the railroad bridge were catching the early light.
Shall I ever capture the perfect picture of it?
Probably not, but I always enjoy trying.
“Who said it would be a good idea to come North?”
“Have you seen the weather forecast?”
“I’d just like to point out that are Canadian geese.”
“Well yes, but we take a winter sunshine holiday.”
“It’s in our contract.”
Why not? Everyone else has a contract of entitlements.
Where do compulsions originate?
Lines. I am forever compelled to photograph them.
The question is, do I prefer them straight or wavy?
Intersecting lines? Zigzags?
No, not zigzags.
When you are retired and have the time to think, it is amazing how many questions of this sort come up!
They don’t seem matter in the least but you wonder, if you’d had time to think when you were young, what you might have done differently.
When I was making life decisions, I had not yet discovered myself. I had spent my few years on the planet looking forward, always wanting time to pass because I didn’t much care for the present.
All too soon, I was confronted with:
“What are you going to do for the rest of your life?”
In college, I had majored in a subject that was fascinating, but for me it held no future. Who was going to care about a bachelor’s degree in anthropology?
Briefly, I entertained the idea of continuing, to acquire a master’s. However, it was a matter of urgency for me to become employed full-time in order to start paying back college loans.
Commuting in my spare-time to New York City, I could only sign up for courses that fit my schedule and I was immediately out of my depth in every way, so I abandoned the idea.
As an airline employee I would be able to catch up with my few relatives who all managed to live at different compass points.
The pay was decent back then. The benefits were great.
The “temporary” job turned into 38 years.
In retirement I had always thought how great it would be to travel without the pressures of time, but one should never put off indulging one’s passions.
Life takes us in all sorts of different directions and often there is no way back to the beginning. Or even halfway.
Some believe that everything is pre-ordained. I often think so myself and I do not waste time regretting what I have not done.
What would I tell my 21-year old self? Nothing. I would have to go much further back.
In any case, here I am now and you will not hear me complain about my current situation.
Apart from issues with household devices and technology.
Anyway, as we drove home last Tuesday, the sky clouded over becoming quite moody.
As usual, there was not a soul in sight!
Thank you, Carolyn, for the beautiful pictures and poignant thoughts.
Joanna
The migrating bird population must be cursing us all and wondering what the hell has happened to their homes. There are already signs that they are modifying their behaviour!
Oh my, love-love the picture of the bridge Carolyn! And the geese – there are just so many, they must really like your part of the world. Anthropology – I had to google it 😉, it’s quite an interesting degree. I agree, there isn’t much I would change when I look back at my younger self … I believe every bit of what I experienced prepared me for who I am today. I think you should have studied photography (or whatever it is when you take great photos)!
I see the geese flying overhead, but they do not settle in any numbers around here. I would like to see many thousands of them in the same place.
Best wishes, Pete.
Never follow a straight line – you know exactly where it’s going to take you.