Autumn Burned Brightly

"Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees." ~ Faith Baldwin

Psssst.. wake up! It's time for a morning walk in the woods. I know it's chilly and damp in here, and it feels so nice to stay under the blanket but hear me out.

I glanced out of the cottage window just now, and though the sky is heavy with grey clouds, I think the sun is considering making an appearance. The trees across the lake don't look very autumn-like, do they? But just wait until that break in the clouds allows the sun to streak through from behind us...

Ahhh.. I see you're scrambling to get your hiking shoes on. Grab a coffee on your way out. You'll need it to keep warm.

No doubt, you'll need to make a quick stop here, first. There's so many of you who are suddenly waking up to this autumn day. Good thing it's a two-seater.

Just follow Benny. He knows his way around here.

Did you see this sprig of colourful leaves hit me on the head just now? You couldn't get more freshly-fallen than that.

About a half mile down the road, we come upon this lovely marsh. Let's just have a look from here and then continue along the main road.

On our left, you can see the famous Badger's Burn. Famous for what? I don't know but I think it's a clever use of a rusted old chair.

I love how the sunlight filters through the trees. See that dash of white up ahead? It's just Benny making sure we're still with him.

The moss-covered rocks always catch my eye while out walking this road.

That coffee is beginning to remind me that we should head back about now. Benny is already making his way home. I think he might have heard a distant gunshot - it's hunting season around here. I can't imagine that anything short of starvation would motivate me to shoot a deer with anything but my camera. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera on me the morning we saw two does directly in front of the car on the road to town. They were there again a couple of hours later when we returned. I grabbed my camera at that time and walked over to where they had been. Alas, a photograph was not meant to be had but the mental snapshot will stay with me forever.

And here we are back at the cottage. Ladies, the outhouse is to your right if you need it. Of course there are facilities indoors, as well. You guys can't fool me - I saw each one of you sneak off into the woods for a moment.

Thanks for joining me on a country morning walk. Time to cook up a hearty breakfast.

Of course, I'm not still at the cottage. There's no internet connection there but I thought I'd revisit via a few photographs, and bring you along with me. I hope you enjoyed your morning hike.

One Good Thing... and the Posts of the Week

When enjoying your time in cottage country, please remember...

... one thing often leads to...


... another.

Posts of the Week

The icon to the left here is yours for the taking if your blog post has been named as a Post of the Week - either as top post or as a runner up, today or in past weeks.

This week's top post goes to:

Hummingbird Poop - Naturally
by Frank
at Baron It All

Other wonderful posts in no particular order are:

Beyond Our Sight
by Christopher
at Christopher's Views

Batman Speaks of Ramadan
by Sandy
at Writing in Faith

Greetings!
by Nick
at Along These Lines

The Other 364 Days
by Dianne
at Forks Off the Moment

Good Dog
by Don
at ffocuss

A Communion
by Saz
at Fab, Feisty & Fifty

An Unlikely Guide
by Nancy
at Life in the Second Half

The World's Smallest Gas Pump Attendant
by VM Sehy
at VM Sehy Photography

Holy Mackerel
by Lady Fi
at On A Quirky Quest With Lady Fi

CPR but Not Mouth to Mouth... Eeewww!
by Tabor
at Room Without Walls

Perhaps
by Deb
at Talk at the Table

Blue Tailed Skink
by Kerri
at A Little Piece of Me

Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them.

Thank you.

The Short Goodbye

Last week, Frank and I drove up to the cottage for a quick overnight stay. The purpose was to retrieve a few things left over from our last visit, in the hope that we'd be back for a few more days before season's end. That didn't work out as we had wished, but we did spend a lovely few hours enjoying the sights, sounds and smells for one last time this year. Join me, will you?



We arrived to a blanket of autumn leaves. This was the view of the cottage as seen through the windshield. It had been rainy and cool, and a fire would have been nice, but the wood was too wet for that. (please click to enlarge)





We decided to go exploring along the shoreline. The lake was far more shallow than it was during the summer. Most of what you see here is usually well under water. (please click to enlarge)





This beautiful hunk of wood helped decorate the rugged shoreline. (please click to enlarge)





From the other side of the property, you can see that the boathouse ramp scarcely touches the water now, and the dock would require us to make quite a jump if we were to tie a boat to it. (please click to enlarge)





On a neighbouring property, Benny teetered on a rock and wondered why he wasn't frightening the faux loons. He figured it out eventually. (please click to enlarge)





Frank noticed a multitude of snail shells all along a small bay area. There were also hundreds of feathers to be found nearby and for long stretches of shoreline. We were thinking that it might be a popular killing area for a hawk or other predatory bird. Maybe even our eaglets which I saw for one last time when they perched on a semi-distant tree. Like last time, we didn't see the raccoons, but by morning all of the food that we left for them had been eaten. (please click to enlarge)





Since there was no longer any running water, we had to use the outdoor facilities. The leaves made for a lovely, swishy walk over to the outhouse and back. Don't bother to bring anything to read - it's rather dark in there. A couple of candles and a book of matches made for a good nightlight though. (please click to enlarge)





Be careful not to slip on a wet leaf on your way back to the cottage. (please click to enlarge)





Early the next day, we started packing up for the drive back home. A few of Frank's beloved fishing rods will help get him through trout fishing this autumn. (please click to enlarge)





The drive back home took us through heavy rain showers at times. (please click to enlarge)




The school bus up ahead of us was sure to stop at every set of railroad tracks. I liked the bright reflection of his lights on the wet road. (please click to enlarge)





It was a short visit - less than 24 hours but this past season provided many fine memories upon which we'll reflect fondly through the winter. (please click to enlarge)

Thanks for joining me! I'll have more autumn photos in just a few days.

Wild Things, You Make My Heart Sing

On the first full day we spent up at the cottage, I awoke early and could hear Benny squeak occasionally, reminding me that he was anxious to start the day. I considered turning over and ignoring him but really I was equally eager to get out there and walk - cameras in hand.

I got ready and released the beast from his crate. Benny stretched while I scratched his back. He tossed off the previous night's sleep with a shake, and a wag of his tail. I opened the front door and we stepped out on the deck under mostly clear skies.

I immediately heard the call of the loon and cautioned Benny to wait, lest he get too far ahead of me toward the road. The loon was nearby and I wanted to try for a photo, but I was immediately distracted by the screech of a loud bird. I looked up to see the two Bald Eagle juveniles putting on an air show.

(please click to enlarge)

They were fairly high, though almost directly above me. I had difficulty finding the right settings on my camera and in retrospect should have probably used my older camera because of its zoom capabilities, but I kept on snapping until they flew off shortly afterward.

(please click to enlarge)

Ben and I began our walk up, over and down the hilly dirt roads which lead to a fair number of cottages on the lake. We took about a half hour to amble a mile down the road to another small lake across the way. Mosquitoes were beginning to find us at an alarming rate so we turned back home. The intoxicating smell of coffee greeted us. Frank was partway through his cup, and had already cast a few hooks off the dock. Our day was shaping up nicely.

We spent a bit of time keeping Benny company before we went out to do some fishing. Since the boat was headed that way, we decided to see if any of the eagles were back at their nest. The eaglets had returned and were patiently awaiting the adults.

The sun came at us from behind the birds but they made for some fine semi-silhouettes. (please click to enlarge)

Please keep in mind that these were taken at a fair distance, from inside a bobbing boat. It was challenging. (please click to enlarge)

Also challenging was this image taken later in the day while we were out on the lake once again. Picture that same bobbing boat, and me, crouched over with my elbows against my knees trying to hold as still as possible while attempting to capture a bird in flight. It's not a great photo but the adult Bald Eagle sure is an impressive bird. (please click to enlarge)

Eventually, we did see a loon pop up not too far from our boat and he allowed me to snap a shot before he dove under water once again. (please click to enlarge)

As the week unfolded, we were to see many interesting creatures - all beautiful in their own way.

Frank found a snake for me to photograph. (please click to enlarge)

Theresa called out to me while I was on the hammock to take note of a Great Blue Heron just across the bay. (please click to enlarge)

Frank spotted a playful otter swimming past the dock. (please click to enlarge)

I enjoyed watching the hummingbird drink from the feeder. (please click to enlarge)

There were dragonflies. (please click to enlarge)

Various kinds. (please click to enlarge)

Our last evening out in the boat allowed us a final peek at an eaglet. (please click to enlarge)

So ended a perfect week up at the cottage. (please click to enlarge)

This was a rather lengthy post. Please feel free to use the facilities. (please click to enlarge)