Thursday, March 1, 2012

Golden Light

When was the last time we headed out for a walk together? It must be days. Come along and dress warmly. The sun is about to set. It's golden bright but the air is still bit nippy. Speaking of nippy, I have a tiny bottle of Fireball Whiskey tucked away in my pocket to keep us fortified. Just me know when you want a sip.



duck walk
It looks like we have a straggler. The poor thing is slipping and sliding on the ice. Doesn't she realize she could just fly?




budding
I noticed this branch earlier in the week. It's no thicker than my thumb but it's a lot fuzzier. It's fine hairs remind me of the velvet surface of deer's antlers. Notice the tiny bud waiting patiently for spring.






fuzzy branch2
Now that the sun is low in the sky, it provides rich, golden hues as a backdrop. Soak in its warmth - or would you rather have a wee nip from the bottle? I thought as much.





setting orb
That beautiful orb in the west sure looks lovely filtered through the trees. It transforms everything into gold.




tendril
It's been such a mild winter that last year's growth of many plants have not fully deteriorated. The fine tendrils of this vine still rests against the railing despite having lost all its leaves.




last years growth
And here's a golden sprig of leaves. It's unclear to me whether they're just well-preserved from last year or actually sprouted, grew, and then frosted over during this warmer than usual winter. It doesn't seem likely as this is early March in Canada, for goodness sake. And yet if you look closely, some of the tiny leaves in the center appear fresh and green. What do you think?

Oh, you think you'd like another sip of Fireball? Sure thing. Let's head home where we can enjoy it over ice.




duck walk2
Don't look now but we're being followed.

48 comments:

Zuzana said...

Oh, this comment section certainly looks foreign to me, hmm.;) Have I been away that long?;)
In any case dear Hilary, lovely images as always and i enjoyed the narrative. Having return back to blogging I am trying to catch up.
Thnak you for all your heartwarming recent comments.;)
As for spring, it seems to have arrived in my part of the world hope yours is on its way.;)
Have a great rest of the week dear friend,
xoxo

CorvusCorax12 said...

lovely pictures, specially ducky

sage said...

Great photos of the duck... Pass the bottle again, okay?

Mental P Mama said...

I love that duck! Dora and I just returned from our morning walk where we saw a duck standing in the shallow water on the riverbank. I thought it looked so funny to see a duck standing in the water. Until I came here and saw one standing on it. Okay. Time for some cereal....

June said...

Awww, little duck wants a nip!
You don't suppose there's something wrong with her that she can't fly, do you? <:-(

Can I carry the bot'le?

Brian Miller said...

nice some great pics hilary...love that pic of the fuzzy branch...it does look like deer antlers....come on spring!

Daryl said...

Love the 'golden sprig' and the focus you chose .. ducks can fly but when they're playing follow the leader they gotta march ...

DJan said...

Now I am warm and feeling the effects of that strong nip. Should have taken less, I guess. I love the duck waddling determinedly along. Thanks for the walk, Hilary! :-)

Merisi said...

Such precious golden moments!
And soon, spring will arrive with all its splendor!

Dianne said...

the mallard is adorable, perhaps she is practicing for winter olympics

the bud in the fuzzy branch is precious

as always, you're magical

Shammickite said...

So you think that spring is on the way? I hope you're right.
meanwhile give me a little bit more of that "Internal warmth"..... :-)

TexWisGirl said...

that little hen is so cute!!! and your little furry macro shots of the twigs are wonderful! thanks for the warm-up sip!

stephen Hayes said...

Very nice. I'm ready for a nip or two now!

Frank Baron said...

I like the backlit, silhouetted twig and the wee leaf. It does look like new growth there. Hope we don't have a -20 lurking down the road.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

You sure have an ability to capture light in the most beautiful ways. The ducks are SO cute! :)

messymimi said...

That duck is beautiful and funny, the way only a duck can be.

Love the sun through the trees.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Ms. Duckie appears to be curling her toes for a better grip on the ice. Those webbed feet aren't really designed for ice walking. Another beautiful series of photos, my friend.

Mage said...

I'm delighted. Grinning even.

Anonymous said...

What stunning shots - the light is gorgeous!

Reena said...

Well, I certainly enjoyed that walk and feeling a big (hiccup) happy as well! (hiccup)

Red said...

You not only have whiskey over ice but a duck over ice!!!

ethelmaepotter! said...

No one captures the beauty of barren winter as you do, Hilary. How I've missed your photos!

Barb said...

Priceless evening shots, Hilary. Hope you have some bread for that plucky ducky! (Any wine at the house? I hate to be picky but...) The buds and what appear to be new leaves sprouting must mean early spring for you. It's snowing here in the mountains of CO.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I love walking with you, Hilary. Thanks for sharing the fireball (maybe that's what the duck is hoping for?) and the pictures. :)

Bob Bushell said...

A lovely walk and a lovely talk.

Donna said...

I just love all your photography...it leaves me breathlessly in awe!
Looks like spring is on it's way!!

Gillian Olson said...

Great pictures, I love the golden light that you have captured. That first duck is just precious.

laveta'splace said...

Loved taking a walk with you and the little duck. Your pictures are beautiful, and I do see the little leaf peeking out.

VM Sehy Photography said...

Lovely shots Hilary. My favorites are the two of the duck on the ice.

Rob-bear said...

Thank you for the en-light-ening post, Hilary. And you've got a new friend. How ducky. She probably can't get enough traction on the ice to be able to get flying.

Shrinky said...

Ahhh, what a wonderful start to my day, and how inspired of you to take a flask along (grin). You've captured the light so beautifully here, and as ever, brought my eye to the magic I would usually miss on our walk. So love how you make these images come to life.

yaya said...

Looks like the duck is already having everything "over ice"! Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing the beautiful pics and for the fun walk!

Leah J. Utas said...

Excellent. That first duck pic made me think of "The Ugly Duckling." I hope it realizes it's a fine-looking duck.

ellen abbott said...

i love the way you zero in on the smallest detail leaving every thing else blurry.

christopher said...

Great pictures...and a quite pensively looking duck.

Anvilcloud said...

Good and unique photos -- as usual.

Glo said...

Your golden glimpses have left me infused with a warm glow ~ or perhaps it's the after effects of your magic elixir! Luckily duck feet don't feel the cold, so a waddle on the ice may be a fine opportunity for reflection ;)

lime said...

poor lil frozen duck! did you give her a nip too ? ;)

Indrani said...

Fantastic series of shots.

Reb said...

Lovely walk, glad you brought the fire-water along though.

photowannabe said...

Love your duck just slip sliding away and the last vestiges of winter.
Seems a little nip would do wonders for us on our walk.
Have a wonderful weekend Dear Hilary.

Anonymous said...

i love this post, i'm not much of a whiskey drinker, but i bet the cinnamon adds the perfect touch on a cold day, i'll have a swig :) i hope we actually get to do this someday <3

Dawning Inspiration said...

I (heart) the duck!!! too cute

NitWit1 said...

Love the Duck. But our warm winter has some of the same elements. A young sprout off a forsythia bush still has its leaves-sort or yellow.

We have daffodils, redbuds wild plum trees all in full bloom.

I can see that spring is early and apparently tumultuous from todays's headlines

the Bag Lady said...

Quit hogging the bottle....
Great shots, Hilary. Thanks for the tour (and the nip!)

Grayquill said...

I wonder if Mrs Duck has cold feet. She is probably getting thirsty. Heck why am I thinking such thoughts I am not a duckoligist. Of course if I was I would tell Mrs. Duck to pee on her feet.
BTW - your pictures are awesome.

Unknown said...

The duck! The duck! I love the first duck picture!!!!

Barbara said...

It's always fun walking with you!