Tuesday, December 17, 2013

November Days

"So dull and dark are the November days.
The lazy mist high up the evening curled,
And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze;
The place we occupy seems all the world."
~ John Clare

Since I tend to be pretty lousy at keeping track of just when some of my photos were taken, I can't always compile some images from the same day. But I know that doesn't really matter to you. Does it? Nah!

So some of these are from different days - especially those which show the lake frozen over in some places and completely liquified in others. But they're all from late November and that's probably good enough. Right? I thought so!


geese on ice
I know what day this is. It's the day after the boat was removed from the dock. It's also early in the day that the the dock was ultimately removed. Ice had formed on the lake but it was mild, and there had been rain. I glanced out the window to see the last of a large gaggle of geese stepping their way past our house.





snow on ice
This was quite clearly a different day. It was actually a few days into the week, once we had our first snowfall. Here you can see some more weather making its way across the bay.




walking toward home
But let's go back in time just a little bit, to a misty day when I took my morning walk. This is the road leading back toward our place. Benny and I walk for about fifty minutes most mornings. We live just around that bend and down a ways.

 


old fashioned trailer3
About two thirds of the way into my walk, I see this cool, old camper trailer. I often don't bring my camera along on my walks, these days (as I explained before.. weather is often unpredictable and Benny makes handling him and the camera difficult at times - he's not a road-smart dog) but I decided to bring my camera along on this day because I wanted a photo of this relic. To me, it screams early 1960s right down to its colour and curtains. Frank thinks perhaps even the late 1950s. What do you think its vintage is?




old fashioned trailer4
Here, stand back and have another look.




muskrat5
Frank spotted this cute little muskrat hanging out in front of our place, one afternoon. He kept diving under water/ice to grab some vegetation and then sit upon the ice to enjoy it. I used the long lens, and I wasn't excessively far from him but the lighting was so flat that I was unable to get much clarity in these photos.




muskrat and vegetation
He was only mildly cautious and never seemed too bothered by my presence except for one time when I snuck up a bit closer to his spot while he was underwater. The click of the camera startled him when he surfaced and he immediately dove back under. But he quickly returned and got used to my incessant photo taking. Thanks for indulging me, little guy.




muskrat eating possible newt
I had one of those second take moments when I looked at this image. It sure appeared to me that our muskrat friend had caught himself a newt or salamander. The body looked right, and muskrats do indeed include them as part of their diet. But the feet looked wrong. Newts have separate toes on their feet and this thing looks like it has solid disks for feet. Conclusion: It's probably just a very newt-like piece of vegetation.




misty hills
Toward the end of the afternoon (of whatever day we have now morphed into), the fog rolled into the bay, dusting the hills across the way.





late november sunrise
But worry not. Another sunrise will come along before you know it.

More photos in a few days.

57 comments:

Leave It To Davis said...

You live in a very secluded place...at least it looks that way in your pictures. You are so lucky to have so much privacy....and so much of nature to see each day! The first picture of the muskrat looks like he is drinking through a straw to me. That would be funny! Love that last picture...what an inspiring sunset! This is what I love most about blogging...seeing the world through another's eyes! Thanks so much for sharing your part of the world with us...both in picture and your wonderful way of putting what you see into words. You definitely have a talent describing what you see!!!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I'm thinking Frank's estimate might be closer to the trailer's age, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it's even older than that. The tidbit dangling from the muskrat's mouth definitely looks lizard-like to me. I don't think I've ever seen vegetation quite like that. The last image is wonderful.

Cloudia said...

So wonderful spending time here with you. The road back especially spoke to me today. . . . I would love to walk with you along it....




ALOHA, Dear
from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3

Lisa said...

Its all beauty Hilary.. All of it .
You live in heaven . I can wait to see more and more.

Indrani said...

Amazing nature shots! Those misty captures are terrific!

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots - especially the last one. And I love that beaver!

Andy said...

Your photos demonstrate it's worth while to take your camera with you.

Pallavi said...

Oh how beautiful dear Hilary . The misty mountains look so mysterious and beautiful at the same time. The pictures are splendid . Thanks for showing a part of your beautiful world :)

The Furry Gnome said...

Looks like you've got a very interesting area to live in. Nice to watch the lake every day. And that road spoke to me of cottage roads everywhere.

Tabor said...

You have settled in and your photos are helping us feel as we are there as well!

Theresa said...

How I envy you your lake! And photographic perspective and expertise. You make a lowly muskrat look handsome and that's going some.

We have mountains but no lake, however I love to watch the weather fronts come in over our ridges. Trying to sneak up on us.

Anonymous said...

Lovely series of photos, no matter the date they were taken. Loved seeing the geese on the ice and the muskrat. That certainly is an old trailer ... I've seen some made into wonderful garden sheds. Is that one still used? Snowing today here in my part of Ontario, about 5 cm of snow.

Brian Miller said...

ha the muskrat is cute...i would have enjoyed watching....and that camper trailer is cool to...reminds me of camping with my parents....

DJan said...

I wouldn't have known the water in the first picture is frozen, except that the geese are on top of, and not in, the water. I love the muskrat pictures and the mist and sunrise. Oh, yes! You have a fine place! :-)

holdingmoments said...

What a beautiful place, and you've captured the beauty perfectly.

I think the old van must be from the '50's.

Out on the prairie said...

Some lovely shots, I like the vintage camper.

Anvilcloud said...

It looks like you have a very quiet road to walk along.

Anonymous said...

jolie cette caravane

messymimi said...

The muskrat is fascinating, and the camper makes me want to hit the road!

TexWisGirl said...

the old camper looks to be in pretty good shape! love the geese walking on water. :) and the muskrat is very cool! that last shot is just glorious.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I'll tell you how I know that I have been captured by you photos.....when I have to go back to read your captions. And today I've been back through twice. Each one is special and intriguing. The camper is and oldie and a goodie. The muskrat a charmer with a lizard like thing a ma jing. And your lake....oh the mist, the mountains. I think I love where you live. Oma Linda

Red said...

The first photo is a classic. There is a perfect mirror image and it looks like more than Jesus can walk on water as I'd swear these geese are walking on water.

Karen said...

You live in a lovely place! Beautiful photos, love that muskrat!

Gail Dixon said...

Groovy camper, man! Love the color, the curtains, everything. I'd say 60s because of the color, but 50s for the style. It's a tossup! Beautiful sunset on the last shot. Way to conclude a wonderful post!

Mage said...

From the middle of an inner city life, I so enjoy visiting your rural beauty.

The trailer. Perhaps very early 1960's. The poor thing is coming apart at the corner, and it sports various dents. That fabric will date it.

Rita said...

I love your new place and all your explorations! the camper does remind me of the 60s, but I am not good guess age on those things.
I did a double-take, too, with what looked like a critter in the muskrat's mouth. But I think it was just vegetation. You would have known because it would have been wiggling for it's life--unless it was already dead, and then I guess it doesn't matter, anyways--LOL!
Love the walking on water shots and the foggy mist. What a wonderful new home!! :)

photowannabe said...

Oh Hilary, as I have said before, you live in Paradise.
Love the different faces of your Lake and the skies.
Fog photos are so mysterious to me. Love them.
The trailer looks late 50's to me too. Does it get used?
Thanks for visiting my blog. I think I am back in business again.

Susan Kane said...

Seeing the camper makes me want to get inside, renovate, refurbish. It must have seen many miles.

Daryl said...

that trailer looks old .. i suspect its from the 1960s ... the other photos are superb .. especially your little furry friend

Lynne C said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynne with an e said...

Days, months, years, seasons...all becoming a blur to me as well, and not just in my photo files. My favourite in this batch has to be the goose-steppers on the lake. Such a gorgeous view you have from your window; will doubtlessly be a constant source of wonderment and photo ops. Great walk, too! I'll be sure to wear my all-season attires when I visit here in future.

stephen Hayes said...

Beautiful pictures. That camper/trailer looks late fifties to me. Probably valuable if properly restored.

Bob Bushell said...

Absolutely brilliant, I think that you will be happy living there, it's beautiful.

Fernando Santos (Chana) said...

Belas fotografias...Espectacular....
Votos de Boas Festas....
Cumprimentos

Jackie said...

Fantabulous photos! :)
As I look at the color of the camper, I am reminded of the vintage color of hubby's Hamilton Beach milkshake machine. Same color...and probably in the same time period.
Love!

yaya said...

I think you live on the most beautiful spot! Love the wintery lake scene. I think that trailer is around the 50's time...the color is that era's fashion. You don't think the muskrat had the little critter that sells insurance on TV?

Glo said...

It looks mighty chilly in them thar woods, to say nothing of the frozen layer on the lake. The geese are reflecting perfectly.

I bet it feels extra good sitting by a fire looking outside!

Great photos of the Muskrat!

Hena Tayeb said...

gorgeous foggy pictures.

Slamdunk said...

Your walking road reminds me of the off-the-main-road where my old office was located. I walked it during lunch in the summer, but only in the cold months when my mechanic was working on my car (he was just down the road)...Nice way to close with a lovely sunrise photo, Hilary.

And wow, if that old camper could talk. Wait, maybe it is better that it can't talk.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Wow, Hillary. You have such beauty all around you. I'm late in checking my comments, but found you gave my photo your POTW last week. I've been so far behind with this busy season. Thank you so much. It means a lot coming from you. Hope you have a blessed Christmas season.

a sweet world said...

Great blog!!!
Would you like to follow each other via gfc bloglovin and g+?

http://asweetwoorld.blogspot.com/

Kerry said...

Wow, looking out your from your house is like watching a movie. There is so much to see, an ever-changing view. Perhaps we'll see more muskrat pics in the future?

Anonymous said...

The first significant snowfall of the season, when all is white is always the best of the season. It makes you go 'ooooh, better put another log on the fire'.

Barbara said...

I love getting to see this new bit of the world you're settling into! In that top photo, I can't even tell the lake is ice. It looks like the ducks are walking on water! That van...I'm splitting it down the middle and saying 1960.

Linda said...

Wow, look at the muskrat! Cool!

Your lake landscapes are lovely!

Becca said...

What fantastic photos! I walk my dog most days and should really try harder to bring a camera. I also have a dog that needs a lot of attention on walks, though.

ashok said...

awesome post...loved the images!

Unknown said...

I like your winter photos. Thank you for sharing them.

Kat said...

Beautiful photos, as always. The snow and coming down with the wild clouds in the distance was awesome!

Vagabonde said...

I enlarged your photos – you showed us a series that is very fine. I liked looking at your fog photos. We rarely have fog here, but we did, about a week ago. I live on the road of a major Civil War Memorial Park – it feels very strange to walk in it in the fog.
The little muskrat was sweet.

Ercotravels said...

Cool pictures, Hilary!!!
Regards
my new post about the UNESCO World heritages sites of Rajasthan

Pauline said...

What I'd give to go on one of those misty morning walks with you. This post is a close second :)

Sharon Wagner said...

The fog...the muskrats. Ah Fall. Actually, I'm glad it's winter. Winter trips!

Maggie May said...

I've never seen a muskrat before!
Great photos, as always!
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Lisa Gordon said...

You live in such a beautiful, place, Hilary.
I LOVE that camper, and the little beaver too!

I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a bright, beautiful New Year.

Anita said...

What a contrast between the thick foliage on the hills, the seemingly endless water of the bay... and the little muskrat.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I can't give you an educated guess on the trailer, but I am curious about the dock... I noticed it in more recent winter pics and am wondering why you pull it out for the winter.
Love the muskrat pics, too!