Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Unexpected

This is a scheduled post as once again, Frank and I have decided to spend a few days up at the cottage. I'll be pre-posting again on Sunday and I'm not sure just when we'll return home after that so if you don't hear from me, you'll know where I am. I'll try to catch up with comments and return visits sometime after I get home. I hope you're enjoying your summer so far (those of you in the Northern hemisphere). I know I sure am.

One day, early last month, I went for a rare walk without my camera. Always a mistake! I was in a hurry and had Benny with me, and thought I'd take him for a quick morning walk before we had to hurry off elsewhere. On the dock, at the pond, I saw an unusual scene which had me mildly perplexed. I knew that I could either go back for my camera and return to snap the shot, or forget about it completely. I opted for the former. Things had been added to what I first saw, but with permission, I was able to alter items so that it resembled what I had first seen a few moments earlier.



It was like happening upon a scene from Forrest Gump - this simple chair, a battered old suitcase and a globe. It made little sense to see it out in the middle of the park, until I returned with the camera and discovered that what I'd seen were props for a photo shoot which was about to commence. Since my first pass, a few items had been added.




Including these festive balloons.





Here's how it looked when I returned.




Another unexpected occurrence was this lovely grackle taking a splashy bath, oblivious to the camera snapping it from behind.




This sparrow hopped around in front of me with a feather in its mouth. He kept shaking his head (hence the blur) as if he wanted to discard it but he never opened his mouth to let go of it. I wondered where he might be going with it.




A moment later it flew up to a nearby roof. Perhaps it was off to feather its nest.

I never expected to turn the next corner and find a couple engaged in a passionate moment right there in the park...


But here there were. Dragonflies are not shy.




I simply liked the way this leaf looked after it had fallen after a rain, on the freshly tarred walkway.




According to Environment Canada, last month was the wettest June on record for the greater Toronto area. These mushrooms were probably grateful for that.




I'm sure that this snail didn't mind the wet weather either. They need moist conditions to create mucus which keeps them from drying out. I'm not sure how that twig/stick over by its head got into the picture. It might have been stuck to him or it might have been carrying it off somewhere. Possibly it's just an illusion and appears in focus from the foreground when I zoomed in. I don't know.

I never know what I might find when I'm out walking. I just know that I'm usually glad that I've got my camera with me. Thanks for joining me.

46 comments:

wordsareforwriting said...

Love that photo with the old suitcase and the globe!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Delightful shots! Love the 'Forrest Gump' one. Keep that camera close by while you are away ... we'll be expecting more spectacular photos from you.

holdingmoments said...

I love the treatment on that first picture. An excellent shot.
And those dragonflies...they just don't care where they perform! lol

Leah J. Utas said...

The bathing grackle is wonderful. All are good, but your close-ups of the small things are magnificent.

Tabor said...

A photo shoot? Is everyone a photographer these days? You do illustrate how we are surrounded by mystical beauty and interesting stories if we just look with our eyes.

DJan said...

You have such a gifted eye for the beauty surrounding you. I love the balloons, the photo shoot, the birds and animals. Your pictures give me such joy, and ideas for my own!

Shammickite said...

Every time I go out without my camera I see things I really want to capture in a photo.
And when I have remebered to put my camera in my pocket.... nothing!
I wonder what snails do during this heatwave if they need moisture to make slime? They must be getting it freom somewhere as I see the silvery snail trails on my patio in the mornings.

Suldog said...

Please take your camera with you always! I've never seen a batch of your photos that didn't contain at least one or two shots I love.

ellen abbott said...

Loved the mushrooms and the snail!

Susie said...

As much as snails (and slugs and boogers!) gross me out, I just adore that shot.

It drives me nuts when I leave without my camera, not wanting to be bothered and then missing out.

steviewren said...

The snail picture looks as though it is impaled on the twig.

Forrest Gump would have felt right at home sitting on that chair.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your summer.

VM Sehy Photography said...

The snail shot is my favorite. I about went into shock the other day when I realized I'd left my camera at home. I felt naked. Good thing you went back to grab yours. They're all good shots.

Reb said...

The snail looks like he bit off more than he can chew! Lovely shots Hilary.

Rosaria Williams said...

And we are glad also that you carry that camera and share your nuggets with us.

Brian Miller said...

oh wow that snail pic is terrific...they all are of course but that is the one that grabbed me today. cool the scene you happened upon...that would be a treat. have fun at the cottage.

CiCi said...

I can see why you would not want to leave home without your camera where you live.

Anita said...

Your surroundings are so simply beautiful. Makes me want to stop and stare at mine, and realize the beauty that I get to look at, too. :)

Daryl said...

So did you find out what the photo shoot was for/about?

I bet the bird was shaking out the feather to fluff it up .. like a pillow!

Deb said...

So many times I forget my camera and I see the perfect photo. At first I moan and groan but then I just try to savor the moment. So glad you got all of these shots...I love the mushrooms and the snail. I really think some of your photos could be in National Geographic. I am curious about the photo shoot...interesting props!

Country Girl said...

The snail photo is great! We've had unusually dry weather here. The ground is burnt almost to a crisp which is more August weather. It's been like this since early June.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I'm so glad you take your camera out for walks! :)

Friko said...

you have a very good eye.

Karen said...

Awww, that first photo is dying for a story! :) Love the little birds. Say, did you know that dragonflies eat mosquitoes. So, I say, "party on."

Anonymous said...

Good thing you didn't think the chair, globe and suitcase had been abandoned at your first pass by and borrow them.. hee hee

Di

messymimi said...

Beautiful. You bring everyone on your walks, and for that I am grateful.

Animals are never shy -- they have no need to be.

Cloudia said...

You are magical!





Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

Dawning Inspiration said...

Wow - that snail had me doin' a double-take. Hope you are having a fabulous time!

ds said...

I so love going on walks with you (and your camera). That snail is amazing. But I'm partial to the very first shot: it is a story begging to be told.
Thank you. Enjoy your cabin time!!

Grayquill said...

You find the beauty in the common things I walk by day in and day out. Of course my boss may start wondering about me if I am seen on my hands and knees in the parking lot getting a close up of a fallen leaf or bug. I will stick to coming your way for the exception found in the common. Good work and as always beautiful.

lime said...

well it seems someone else has discovered what a great spot your walking path is for photography!

i love the snail picture even though snails skeeve me out ever so slightly.

Mental P Mama said...

Always a treat in here....

Cheryl Kohan said...

Really, Hilary, this is such a fun post. Almost like walking through a strange dream...first the suitcase still life, then the grackle, then the birds (feathering its nest, indeed!) and then the passionate dragonflies (have you no shame?) Then the leaf, mushrooms and snails...you do have an affinity for noticing and capturing the unique little things in life. Brilliant :-).

Anonymous said...

there is such interest in the "small things" in life and i love that you journal them in your blog.

love all your photos!

christopher said...

Like poetry with pictures.

Kerri Farley said...

Another excellent post Hilary! LOVE that snail!! Hope you are having fun at the cabin!!

Land of shimp said...

I love it, I love it, I want to give the picture a hug.

Doesn't it look as if an older gentleman, in spats of course, because that photograph just screams for spats (which is a word I'm not sure I've used in a decade, at least) was sitting there just a moment earlier? A bowler hat on his head, waiting for the bus back to Neverland, or Narnia, or the land at the edge of Imagination and Reality?

That he was here visiting, a proper fairy godfather, helping his charges with their geography homework, before taking them off to the circus.

He's returned now to that land, where the trees are almost certainly purple, but he was here, he was!

Look, there's the evidence. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

I hope you're having fun Hilary!

Teresa Dawn said...

Beautiful photos!

I found your blog after kcinnova listed it as her favourite blog in the interview she did for my blog:

http://naivaze.com/?p=1665

I'll be sure to subscribe!

ethelmaepotter! said...

Te first photo is PERFECT in sepia - great choice! Can't decide if I like it or the balloons better - a difficult choice, as I have come to expect from you.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

sharp observations,
love the snail and more...

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/07/pinks-in-6-words-i-wish-u-award-winning.html

6 awards,
pick anything you like,
enjoy!
Cheers!

LadyFi said...

What a fabulous shot of the old suitcase - and the happiness of those coloured balloons.

~JarieLyn~ said...

What a delightful surprise to happen upon. I love how you turned it into a vintage photo.

I'm always glad I have my camera with me when I'm out walking too. You just never know what's around the corner.

MaggieGem said...

What a lovely walk I've had this evening... it's always a pleasure to have you as my guide!

Frank Baron said...

Seems it was just a few weeks ago when I said that particular post had the best collection of photos, yet.

And here I am, saying it again. The balloons and fungi shots are really terrific and all the rest are topnotch too. I enjoyed them all. :)

Maybe it's not just the camera that's improving as time goes by.... ;)

Zuzana said...

Wow, the unexpected is the best indeed! The last image is incredible; it reminds me of a knight with yielded sword!;)
xoxo

Hilary said...

Thank you everyone for such kind and encouraging words. I'll be around to visit your blogs as time permits. Soon, I hope!

The photo shoot was for prop testing. The guy was a wedding photographer. That's all I know. I wish I'd had more time to observe for a while.