.
Humans are such creatures of habit, yet so much can be learned or enjoyed by deviating from the norm.
Usually, I request morning appointments and choose early over late. But when phoning for an appointment at short notice, you accept what is available.
.
Which is why I had a noon appointment on Tuesday.
.
Instead of being held up by school busses, it was a hay cart that got in the way, though only temporarily.
.
The driver added to the excitement by varying our route.
.
Without prior notification!
.
Maybe he was testing to see if I would notice.
.
As I snapped the above bucolic image, a flock of starlings took off out of the hedges.
They have not visited our feeders lately, though we hear them sometimes flocking down the field.
.
Our route didn’t change that much.
.
But the time of day and changing season made it appear quite different.
.
We were soon on our way home.
Back across the Hudson, another surprise…
.
The Hoosic River runs into the Hudson at Stillwater.
A finger of land extends into the confluence beyond which there is a small island. Lock Four runs between them and we had been there.
.
This time though, we turned onto a narrow road that accesses that small island which seems nameless.
.
We found ourselves in a little wood where acorns fell all around us.
Grant fetched a bag to collect some for our squirrels who are sadly deprived while I wandered about.
.
The sound of the river flowing over the weir is so soothing.
It would be great to come here in winter but it may not be possible with snow and ice on the ground.
.
Though there does seem to be a house on that island.
Perhaps only a summer residence.
.
The Hudson is in a benign state at the moment. In flood that house must get a little damp, unless it’s on stilts.
.
As much as I love the sound of the river, I think living in such close proximity would be a bit worrying.
.
Mallards and Canada geese were enjoying a sunny day.
.
Because of the trees it was hard to get a good view.
.
Grant looked down for acorns as I looked up at the canopy, hoping not to catch my foot in a root.
.
.
It was really quite delightful and I suspect will will go back to collect more acorns!
.
As well as acorns, I collected a series of images that I think I will post separately.
It’s just a sequence which seen together is amusing.
At least to me…
A beautiful spot by the weir!
love the way you weave your words and images… lovely! Linda xx
It’s nice to see the Hudson River again and I love your video. I’ll go pick up acorns anytime if it’s at such a lovely sight … the autumn coloured leaves are just so beautiful.
Last week on Beetley Meadows, I spotted a squirrel holding an acorn in just the way they are always pictured. That was a first for me. We have thousands of acorns falling from the two Oak trees in front and back gardens. I was told they used to be collected and sent to feed pigs. But the EU changed the rules on pig feed and banned the use of acorns. Now I have to dump binfuls of them into the garden waste wheelie bin. Your weather looks better than what we have currently.
Best wishes, Pete.