Tuesday was another day too good to spend indoors.
There was a vague plan in the driver’s mind to which I simply nodded and agreed.
It isn’t possible to go wrong up here.
.
We started off on this particular road in order to view the tree.
We happened upon this tree one day last winter while it stood grandly, in all its nakedness, but somehow we had not been back to see it dressed up.
.
It was on this road….
.
…it’s a very nice road….
.
…and the tree was….
…here somewhere….
…just after those silver birches…
.
That’s it!
My, but it looks different, clad in green.
Somewhere, inside is a very impressive, formidable shape.
A sequoia. I think.
.
We carried on, enjoying the view and the early light, but pretty soon the driver made a left turn toward, I’ve forgotten what.
Whatever it was, we found something else instead.
.
A lovely rural route.
.
Tall trees and an open roof that day
.
The better to view the moon.
.
We stopped to enjoy it.
I love the not-quite-naked look.
.
We had been following a small river
where Grant spotted the work of beavers.
.
Though the tree had got hung up.
.
We heard the sound of ducks, so we made our way down to the water.
Excitement! These were different ducks!
They were across the river and foliage was in the way.
.
Being old and shaky makes such moments challenging.
Reflection and glare not much help.
.
At a distance it was hard to identify the birds, but when I got a better look at the sharp beak I thought I remembered.
Long ago, I used to receive a catalog from a company that sold, among other things, carved ducks. And I loved *Pintails!
But they were not!
.
*Thank you, Minna, for correctly identifying these beautiful Goosanders!
Then we heard the call of another duck approaching and here it came, carried along by the current.
.
“Oh hello! did you just take my picture?”
“I did. And you are very beautiful.”
Talking to ducks will always improve my day.
.
Very pleased with our chance encounter, we carried on.
.
.
Just along the road we came to a bridge and stopped, because we always stop if we can to listen to and watch water!
And guess what?
.
Two more Goosanders.
.
.
“We were sent to model for you.”
.
“Come, dear. We should go now.”
And off they went.
.
Where were we going, again?
I didn’t care.
Any day with a wildfowl encounter is a good day in my book.
Enchanting post, Carolyn! When your write about the trees, and open roads that are leading somewhere and everywhere, I am thrilled as I love the trees with a passion!
I love the cute ducks! Thank you!
Joanna
Good to see the Pintails. I don’t think we have those here, as I cannot recall ever seeing any.
Best wishes, Pete.
I can only imagine the disappointment the beavers had, after they had worked so hard at felling the tree, that it got caught up. Their carving is a work of art.
I love the trees along the road – what a lush and beautiful area to go for a drive! And a chance encounter with ducks is wonderful – I would have been quite happy with such an excursion. Maybe the ducks knew you would be happy to see them 🙂. Oh, but let me get back to those lovely trees again … thanks for a lovely post Carolyn!
Lovely photos and nice story. It looks like summer even it’s already autumn. You had photos of birds. I believe those are Goosanders. Good divers who chase the fish together as a flock. I love that bird. Have a nice weekend.
Thank you Minna! I have put n a correction.
I love the reflections and movement in the water!