Finding but a single duck in the wetland, we continued our journey toward Lake Champlain.
An unintentionally circuitous route brought us eventually to Fort Cassin Road where I recognised the very tree where the waxwings had flocked only a week before.
Alas, not a one in sight.
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The woods were flooded but I suspect this is normal for the time of year.
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It is, after all, right beside the lake.
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Flooded woods provide their own sort of subject.
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A bale of terrapins basked on a log that floated nearby. Not wanting to disturb their moment in the sun, I caught one with the zoom.
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Meanwhile, perched on another log – cormorants. A raft or swim, apparently.
Although if they are flying – a flight.
And if they are feeding collectively – a gulp.
But if they are nesting – a rookery.
Do other languages insist on being so precise?
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On the far side of the lake, small patches of snow could be seen at higher elevations but two days later the mountains were covered again, briefly. This time of year is all ups and downs.
We very quickly reverted to using the car’s heater after this warm day out.
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When you are not accustomed to this, it can creep up on you and have you believing that you are suddenly running a fever, so vast is the range of temperature within mere hours.
Old bones don’t respond well to such rapid changes!
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Although many of us get set in our ways, humans are very adaptable creatures.
Arriving in SE Asia after spending my early childhood in England, I was bowled over by the heat and humidity which I had never encountered before. I felt that I was walking through dense, warm mist and it was quite unpleasant, but within a couple of days I no longer noticed it. We remained for 6 years in Asia and I enjoyed the climate, but since returning to temperate latitudes, I have grown increasingly to dislike hot weather.
Back in England after those 6 years in the tropics, I thought I should perish of cold. It didn’t help that those two winters I spent at school there were particularly frigid and my accommodation fairly basic.
From there, however, I came to live in New York and learned to love Winter, which is far colder here. Having a warm home, of course, makes an enormous difference!
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Looking at these pictures reminds me of another great adjustment I made in those long ago days. At the time, I didn’t understand the discomfort I felt. Looking back, it is so obvious.
All of my 16 years, I had lived in towns or cities. Even holidays in the country or at the seaside were in areas where there were many other people.
On Long Island, I attended a year of high school and found myself one day out on a vast sports field. That part of Long Island is very flat, so open ground lay in every direction, with not a building in sight. I had the strangest sensation that a strong wind could easily scoop me off the planet. I was not afraid because I knew it would not, yet I felt uncomfortable.
Of course, it was simply that I had never before been in such an environment.
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Strangely, I never actually realised this, or even really thought about it until I went to Washington State, or more precisely, returned from there after 18 years.
One of the reasons I went to Washington was because I longed to live by the Pacific and close to mountains. Out there, I felt so different. Naturally, one would, when the climate and environment are a complete change from what one is accustomed to.
There were many reasons why I eventually came back east. I expected to feel all sorts of things when I made the move, but what I did not expect at all was to be overjoyed by the sight of open horizons that I had not even known I missed.
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Open horizons offer an expanse of sky and that is what I had really missed in Washington, surrounded by tall mountains.
Where I live now, we often go all day without seeing another person, Even while out driving, we scarcely see a soul and sometimes wonder where everyone has gone. If you are not accustomed to it, I can see that this could be disturbing, but I have reached the stage of enjoying solitude, so for me this is perfect.
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A huge sky and and empty road – bliss!
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Big skies and uninterrupted horizons are what attracted us to move to Norfolk. But in the 14 years we have been here, the gradual change is accelerating. More and more identical housing developments spreading out from Norwich, like the web of a busy spider. Agricultural land sold for housing, or solar power farms. I fear that in 50 years, it will be unreconisable.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Carolyn, for the wonderful and peaceful landscapes and the wildlife you captured. I also love solitude, surrounded by nature, and couldn’t live in countries where crowds move along, and there is no respite from the noise of so many people.
Joanna
I agree – a huge sky and empty roads are some of my favourite sceneries on road trips. And luckily there are quite a few of these in South Africa. That house by the lake – hmm, what a privilege to be able to stay there.