Two trips to Clifton Park this week have left me with something of a backlog of photographs. I thought it would interesting to see the difference over a period of just two days, as Spring finally makes its mark.
There turned out to be quite a contrast, but not the one I was expecting.
Meanwhile, a visitor returned after a long absence so she had to be photographed.
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Late on Tuesday afternoon I threw out some peanuts for the birds, squirrels and chipmunks.
Grabbing a fistful if carrots to up those supplies, I turned to go out through that door and stopped just in time!
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It was Peanut, highlit by the late afternoon sun.
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She is a most beautiful creature.
She probably has kits, and now needs any food she can find.
We will be keeping an eye on the far corner by the old wall, which is where we saw Peanut’s babies last year.
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Monday was a cracker, one of those days that is impossibly wonderful.
The trees were at one of my favourite stages.
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Aren’t trees a gift?
They are good to see at any time of year, but what variety they offer to a scene.
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In the countryside where I live, we enjoy a constantly changing canvas, completely gratis.
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Willows are particularly fine.
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For a change, we were not held up behind a putt-putt.
Instead we arrived at an intersection just as a long queue of work vehicles came past, one of which hauled an impressive bridge span.
The convoy was actually travelling surprisingly fast, but to avoid possible hang-ups further on, we turned off on a road we don’t usually take.
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As a result we came upon a pair of turkey buzzards.
We thought they must be taking advantage of road kill, but I regret to say we interrupted something a little more romantic.
It’s that time of year.
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Magnolia is in bloom.
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Work is progressing on the rescued house.
We had always felt sorry for the forlorn little home.
It’s coming back from the brink.
Why should that make us smile?
Does it matter?
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Magnolia reminds me of my English boarding school.
A huge magnolia stood in the courtyard. Last time I looked on google maps it was still there.
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A photographic challenge. red maple.
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How nice if I could stop to look at all the pretty trees and plants, but I would never get home.
Then there’s birds and animals…
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Returning via Wright Road, we turned the corner just in time to see a fleeing turkey.
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Another was hunkering on a grassy bank but the car made it nervous.
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It shot up and raced away clucking.
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The PO box looks less desolate now.
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We see a lot of birds along here.
That day it was a new one…
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A plover, though I can’t say what sort.
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Soon we were back in Greenwich, admiring Hannaford’s blossoming trees.
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Fresh Spring colours stood out despite the cars and power lines.
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372 “our” state route.
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In a recent wind storm, a big old tree came down, leaving an empty gap.
It had been one of the first that came into bud this year.
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It stood just beyond this tree.
Together they were part of a familiar landscape.
From experience I know how far reaching the loss of a single tree can be, beyond what is obvious.
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Thousands of trees come down every day. If I was to mourn for them all, I would cease to function.
But it is good to acknowledge the loss of trees you know, that you have enjoyed in countless ways often without even realising it.
Let me never take them for granted.
I’m convinced that a vixen and a fox like to show off the kits when the know it’s friendly territory.
There’s the gift of trees.
And the grift of tees.
I think you are right!
Oh Carolyn, you took such beautiful pictures of Peanut! And we both share a love of trees – I really enjoyed your photos. The magnolia is beautiful, but in fact I liked them all.
It was a beautiful day indeed, and yes, I think we should be happy that the old house is being renovated. Lovely photos of the pretty fox too.
Best wishes, Pete.
It’s always sad to see ancient trees go!