Sunday, October 5, 2008

Liquid Gold

This is a scheduled post, so if I don't reply to your comments, or visit your blog for a while, please know that it's because I'm away for a few days. I'll do my best to catch up upon my return.

Below are a few more photos from our September trip to the cottage. They kind of pick up from where we left off at the previous post below.

As I mentioned last time, we considered taking a hike into the woods. We weren't planning to go far - just around the bend of the peninsula which separates the cottage from a nearby bay. It was probably less than a kilometer away, but through semi-heavily wooded terrain.




The area surrounding the cottage is woodsy. A hike along the irregular shoreline can be a tad arduous. Trees growing close to the shore display their exposed, gnarled roots. (please click to enlarge)




We headed out one afternoon, in order to locate a bald eagle's nest which we'd seen from the boat over the past couple of years, while out fishing. There had been semi-recent sightings of the birds and we thought we'd like to explore the area around the nest. (please click to enlarge)




We found several different kinds of vegetation along the way, including this unusual pink-capped fungi. (please click to enlarge)




And this miniature, vivid orange mushroom. (please click to enlarge)




Once we approached the point where we believed the tree should be, we looked up and soon found the uninhabited nest. We wandered around the base of the tree, looking for signs of the eagles' existence. Frank's own eagle-eye soon rewarded him with a worn but lovely, large feather which had clearly belonged to a most majestic bird. (please click to enlarge)




One of the good things about being at the cottage after the summer months are over, is the privacy. In part, this meant that we can wander over to the neighbouring property to admire their flowers. These people had a lovely garden set into the rocky edge of their land. They made perfect use of the natural setting to plant flowers and set up a statue of St. Francis of Assisi - the patron saint of animals and the environment. Benny took one look at the statue and started barking his fool head off at it. (please click to enlarge)





Benny was equally stymied by this little cast iron boy, fishing off the side of the shore. Frank tried to convince him that it was inanimate, but he wasn't buying that. (please click to enlarge)




At their shoreline, a tree grows almost diagonally out over the lake. (please click to enlarge)



The folks who spend their summers here, were clearly not done for the season, and would likely return shortly. There were reminders of the young children who played here, probably just days earlier. This makeshift table displayed toy trucks, and on the arm of an wooden chair, we saw a small collection of nickels - just sitting there. A couple more were partially embedded in the earth nearby - probably as a result of the previous night's storm. We gave our thanks for the look-around by adding a few more nickels to their collection. (please click to enlarge)




A view from inside the boathouse, looking out over the launch, and between Benny's legs, to the lake. (please click to enlarge)




Remember that stop over at the liquor store (see previous post)? A couple of lime slices adds the perfect touch to a pre-mixed Mojito. (please click to enlarge)




And for the cooler weather, just have a sip of this liquid gold. (please click to enlarge)


Please watch for the next scheduled post, coming soon!

43 comments:

Gary's third pottery blog said...

BENNY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that little dog.

Leah J. Utas said...

I swear I can see fairies dancing around that orange mushroom. Do you?

Mental P Mama said...

I love all these beautiful shots. And I am a fool for the Benny ones! Can he come visit me?

Woman in a Window said...

Your title shook me for a minute. I just wrote about a liquid gold, but yours and mine are quite different, I see.

More great times by the water's edge.

Anonymous said...

Benny has that great spirit terriers are famous for! Loved the video and the beauty of that place!

Oman said...

wow these are really awesome shots. i definitely would like to feel the ambiance of the woods someday. the views and the aroma of the place will definitely thrill me. thanks so much for sharing.

Jo said...

Hilary, these are wonderful.

Benny is a total hoot. What a great dawg!

Wherever you are, I hope you're having a good time. See you when you get back.

elasticwaistbandlady said...

I suddenly feel the urge to hop a flight to Canada.

I'm going to sample some of the much fabled poutine I've been hearing about while I'm there. :)

RiverPoet said...

I can just imagine Bennie barking at St. Francis!

Priceless...D

Cath said...

I love this woodland. I love that dog.

I love love love this blog.
Thank you for sharing.

(And thanks for your kind words at David's).

Hilary said...

* Bennyyyy, Bennnnny bay-be.. Benny won't you come out tonight? That's what your comment reminded me of, Gary. :)

* Not until you pointed them out, Leah! :)

* Thank, MPM. We were ready to ship him out to you yesterday when he rolled in something disgusting. He was SO proud of himself. :)

* I noticed that too when I read your post, WIAW. Sunlight on water.. the drink.. your sunlight. Different yet similar. :)

* Thanks very much MT - he sure does! :)

* That's quite the compliment coming from you Lawstude. Thanks kindly. :)

* Thank you Jo. We're heading back to the cottage for one last visit before they turn off the water for the winter. We should be on the road within 3 hours! Thanks for your good wishes. :)

* We can pick you up at the airport EWBL if you want to fly to Toronto, but to experience true poutine (and I don't know why anyone does!) you'd have to be in Quebec. :)

* Thanks, Riverpoet. If I didn't feel so silly about holding my camera sideways for that video, you'd have seen him barking at St. Francis. I was wasn't thinking straight! :)

Hilary said...

Oops Cath.. my long-winded reply was in progress when you left your comment. Thanks so very much for you always-kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and I'm always happy for your visits. :)

the Bag Lady said...

Hehehe - Benny doesn't even need the Jets to be entertaining.....
Great post, Hil
Enjoy your visit to the cottage - hope the weather is good.

Anonymous said...

Well, it´s always a pleasure coming here.
Great photos, nice posts and a blogger that is kind to us all.
No worries about not being around.
Afterall, I'm even worse ... :)

Wishing you a great week.

photowannabe said...

That crazy dog of yours is so entertaining, and your vacation area makes me want to visit. Beautiful shots.

SandraRee said...

Fabulous pictures Hilary! Fall is going to be pretty here on this blog, I can see it now, and you gotta love Benny! lol

Anonymous said...

Liquid gold is a good description for all of your photographs.
*sigh*

Thank you so much for the computer chair vacation!

Reb said...

Benny is so funny, I loved the video. The photos are beautiful! Thanks for taking us on your walk. Enjoy the rest of your time there.

Kat said...

In Benny's defense, the statue of the boy fishing really does look real. ;)
These pics have convinced me that we really must get back up to our cabin again soon. :)

Daryl said...

LOVE all these photos .. and I noticed they loaded faster than usual .. Benny photo is my fav

Have a wonderful time! You will be missed!


:-Daryl

Anonymous said...

The orange mushroom is spectacular! And I love the video of Benny. Great pictures! Hope you're enjoying your few days away.

Country Girl said...

Great little dog that Benny is!! All these pictures are beautiful, Hilary. And I love mojitos. And I think I could love whatever was in the other glass. Looks good to me.

Russell said...

I laughed at Benny's video! My dog Bailey will do the same sort of thing when he sees something new or unusual!

I love the photo of the make shift table with the toys on it. I will think all day about the fact you and Frank added a few more nickels to the collection! It is little things like that, that stick in my mind for a long time. It says a lot about you!

Just when I start to get down on the human race I read something like you and Frank added a few more nickels to a child's play area and, well, everything seems okay again...!

Take care.

Michelle H. said...

Enjoy yourself at the cottage, Hilary! Don't drink too much and stumble on any tree roots.

The orange mushroom is my favorite. Never saw one with that color before.

JC said...

Love the pictures. I'm not a dog person but I love Benny. Have a great time away. I'll be here when you get back.

Clowncar said...

I dig the kid's leftover playthings. And those gnarled roots.

I was sure liquuid gold would be a shot of sunset on the water.

Shammickite said...

A little bit of liquid refreshment is always welcome after a hike through the deep dark forest. Plus I hope Benny enjoyed a big bowl of water and some doggy biccies. I like the idea of addin some nickels to the collection.
When my boys were small they nailed a quarter to the sidewalk at the end of the driveway. It's still there 20 years later! So far nobody has added any.... :-(
Maybe I should post about it!!!!

steviewren said...

That Benny is too funny. What a personality he has...but maybe he knows something we don't...

I love the fact that you guys added to the kid treasure....wonder what they will think when they find it.

david mcmahon said...

Hilary, it's always such a pleasure to visit your blog, because you write beautifully and your photography brings fresh viewpoints and angles to what you present.

Lulda Casadaga said...

What an ideal place to have to get away from it all...love your pics. I'm a dog person, so Benny is just great.
Love that little sad look of his from the cabin window. :(
come back mommy...please!!

I'll stop by again...

Angie Ledbetter said...

Great pics! Feel like I had a little trip through the woods and surrounds.

Tricia said...

Compelling photos, as usual. I love some of the angels you captured.

Hope you're having a fabulous time away.

Cheffie-Mom said...

I always look forward to seeing your photos for the day. Thank you so much for sharing.

Hilary said...

* Thanks, Baggie. It was indeed a nice time and the weather ranged from cool to warm. Not bad. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks very much FP. Your kind words are always very much appreciated. :)

* Thanks Photowannabe. Benny certainly keeps us entertained. Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks, Sandra. It's getting more and more colourful daily. And Benny gets crazier daily. ;)

* Thanks so much KC. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for your kind words. :)

* Thanks, Reb - we did. Benny pretty much cracks us up daily too. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* True, Kathryn. The statue does look kind of real - especially to a crazyJRT. I hope you can get back to your cottage soon. Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks muchly, Daryl. I'm glad you're enjoying Benny. Thanks for the kind words. :)

* Thanks kindly, Addhumorandfaith. Much appreciated. :)

* Thanks very much, CG. I'm willing to share my mojitos with you as well as the other drink, which I believe was Amaretto and Fireball Whiskey Shooter (tastes like cinnamon). Thanks for the kind words. :)

* Thanks kindly, Russell. Benny barks at what appears to him to be "wrong!" I have to give Frank full credit for the nickels. His sister spent a few days at the cottage just before we went up this time. Their other sister told her about the nickels and she added her own as well. It doesn't take much to start a tradition, eh? Thanks for your always-kind words. :)

* Thanks, MLH. I don't need to be drinking to stumble on tree roots. They conspire against me. THUD! Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks muchly, JC. I didn't think I was a dog person (I have cats) before Benny either. Now I know better. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks, Clowncar. The liquid gold was meant to be both the sunset reflecting on the water and the drink at the end. So you were right! Thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks, Shammie. Of course Benny got his water and treats. He earned them. I'm glad you could get a post idea by visiting here! Sounds like a great idea to me. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks, Steviewren. I have no doubt that Benny knows lots of things that we don't. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.. thanks for the visit. :)

* Thanks so much for your very kind words, David. They mean a great deal to me. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Welcome, Lulda and thanks for the kind words. You sure have the Benny look down pat.. do you know him? Thanks for the visit. Please stop by again soon. :)

* Welcome, Angie and thanks for the visit. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and hope you'll return soon. :)

* Thanks very much, Tricia. Much appreciated. Thanks for stopping by. :)

* Thanks, Cheffi. Most appreciated. :)

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

that liquid gold was precious!!!!

Cath said...

Congrats on POTD for this one. If I had my way, every one of your posts would get POTD. Not that I'm biased or nuffin. Just, well, beautiful views, Benny, great photography, Benny, superb prose, Benny, fantastic company, Benny, this is my buddy's blog, Benny....

Nah. Not biased. ;0)

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Moi. :)

• Thank you, Cath. You're too sweet.. and Benny says "woof." He's glad that you visit, and I am too. :)

Indrani said...

Such a pleasure to watch your shots!
Benny is just great!!

Tink said...

One of our dogs is scared of chairs. But only ones he hasn't been around before. He'll bark at them for 30 minutes at least. *Eye roll*

Beautiful pictures as always!

Hilary said...

• Thanks very much for the kind words, Indrani. :)

• Tink, your dog has Benny beat by at least 25 minutes.. and subject matter. Too funny. You have to get a video of that! Thanks for stopping by. :)

Louise said...

Oh, that Benny is just a handful!

These posts are exactly what I love about life, but rarely get to enjoy. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog. I love the pictures of the glasses you have here - good eye to spot them!

Cheers,

David

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Louise. I'm glad you enjoyed Benny and Skitty's antics. :)

• Thanks for the kind words, David. Much appreciated. :)