Dusk

There is no bad time of year to take a drive in the country, but there is a time of day when bad things can happen. Deer may burst from the undergrowth at any time, but at dusk it is more likely and in fading light, especially along shady lanes, the driver needs to be extra vigilant.

Luckily, we were cruising quite slowly here.

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Having said all that about dusk, a few days later a doe shot out in front of us in broad daylight.

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And stopped to give us a look!

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We very seldom go out late in the day, though every time we have occasion to we observe that we should do it more often because the world looks so different toward sunset.

A bank of Joe pye-weed seemed luminous in the waning light.

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Wildflowers have seemed exceptionally pretty this year, perhaps because in last summer’s drought they failed to thrive and the world seemed to be one burnt brown wilderness.

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This was a good time to catch the horses out in their paddock. We come past their farm frequently but seldom get a good look at these beautiful creatures. I love that blond mane.

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Just along the road from the horses we stopped to admire the hill that manages to be attractive in any season and in any light.

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And we couldn’t help but notice the trees in the foreground that seemed “fluffed out”.

According to Google, these are tamarisk or saltcedar. Their soft, feathery leaves are lovely and such a contrast against the other trees.

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Even as the Sun sank behind the hills, the field seemed to glow.

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Turning onto route 372, we saw activity on the very mucky pond.

The camera just about captured a pair of wood ducks.

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But the great blue heron was barely more than an impression.

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