Not me!
We have serious socioeconomic issues in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada, and the world. But that does not mean we cannot look around us and see the beauty on something like snow. Especially, since it has long melted.
The trees have lost their leaves. You can such much more than during the other 6 months with leaves!
This is what used to be an old resort. Now a private home.
I love it when the clouds let the sun peek through.
The docks were covered in snow, and the high water lapped the shore. I messed up the symmetry of the snow on the dock. I'm sure I'll have lots more chances of capturing THAT shot.
The frog pond was frozen, with a skiff of snow.
And the sun came out the next morning. Like the seasons, we can anticipate the change of the night to day. All will be renewed.
But something new, when blogging in Spring I noticed how grateful I was for a heads-up that the critters were migrating and on their way north. Now, seeing that they head south, I have to say farewell for now.
It is comforting to know that they are going to be tracked and will return at some point.
It is a watery world around here. The water levels are rising. The critters in their feeding frenzy. The rain came down on the weekend.
This from last Saturday. Autumn has let go, with all her beautiful finery. The water remains, it's glass-like surface scarred by dead and drying leaves.
The loon does some fancy wing work, hoping to please Mother Nature.
The rock sits and mopes like Eeyore, grumpy, moping, helpless to flee impending weather, like the loon. A tiny leaf floats by, soon it will sink to the bottom of the lake, ashes to ashes and dust to dust.
The trees are giving up their fancy dress for the winter.
Grasses blow in the breeze, while the water reflects their nude branches.
When you live by a lake every day is watery!
At least at these temperatures. Today, I woke to -2 C. temps and frantic critters scrambling for food.
I played with point of view here, with the reflection in the lake and the rock in the water. The gentle wind causes ripples that distort the images, much like the traumas in our lives. It affects us and those around us.
Yet, while the frogs have begun their hibernation, the resilience of the tadpole surprises me. There are two or three where there were hundreds.
Younger versions if themselves, the tadpoles sit in the sun and avail themselves of the warmth in its rays. They, too, will disappear and take their rest.
Once the wind has begun its fierce turbulence, they seek shelter, too. Then the clouds appear as if a hand thinks you need a challenge, and the winds brings in turbulence.
Every day the wind blows, clouds form, and we have a scattering of this or that.
It's been snowy, too.
Just rather hard to photograph the snow!
Our drive to the southern part of the province was fun and afforded me a different point of view of moisture.
Fog is a good one for WW.
The poor old geese are lost in the fog (right).
I look at the changing season and wonder what I learned?
I realize that the land, and its farmers, sustain us. We do not pay what it costs them to sustain us.
I realize I must be prepared for the winter. It didn't hang around, the snow, so it is just a foreshadowing of things to come. Hence, the bird feeders are up. Lawn ornaments are nearly put away. As someone said, you just have to dress for it: in mind, body & spirit.
The fog reminds of things normally unseen; the moisture that is all around us in varying degrees; it takes a special set of circumstances for the vapour to appear; temperature inversion, that which is below is warmer than that above. Wind nudging the troupe, the fog creatures dance across the morning lake in a rhythmical dance.
The spirit of the earth, nature, peace, joy and love, remains unseen if unbidden. Like the moisture, it will nourish if allowed to rise.
On a lovely water day, the clouds were low, the sun peeked in and out, but the fish were dancing for rain. They know that their lake is shallow and water is low. Maybe they were celebrating the Autumn Equinox!
I took my antique tripod out and set it up.
The early morning fog is amazing! We drove into town the other day. Quiet cottages, but foggy water.
The w/e visitors were having a grand time. They are slowly bringing in their boats, though. Soon the birds & fish can have their lake back. I have given up trying to take photos of fish jumping. I just never will be able to be quick enough! I started the camera running and edited out the spots when they were not jumping! Here is a video about the ones that got away!
How can a day start out like this and then we do not get rain?! This was Tuesday. We have not had rain in a few weeks.
I want to play Watery Wednesday... The skies are reflected in the blue of the water. It is glorious. But the trees are so dry that they are changing colour.
The sumac is brilliant. The deciduous trees yellow.
In Muskoka, every day is Watery Wednesday! This video was taken on Monday.
In the video: an airplane sails gracefully across the sky. The heron hunts by the water. She is unmoved by hubby announcing that he is making muffins, bless him! The cats seek moles or grasshoppers nearby; again the heron is unmoved. The sun begins to warm the air. Then, the lake traffic begins. The heron seems to ignore the boat that whips a child by on a tube.
But then another day dawns. Fishermen troll by, seeking the solace of the early morning.
Sipping my morning coffee, I amble towards the door. My morning ritual: coffee, computer, and a quick survey of the lakefront. Most days the lake eases into its diurnal rhythms, too. A rhythm I like to follow. For today, for now, there is relative quiet. A hubby with a To Do list that involves 8 stops, he leaves shortly.
If I am up at the usual time, a cat meowing to come in when the sun rises, I can see the wildlife by the lakeside. Today I slept in! It was a chilly day.
My gardens, in the 12 degree morning, are not happy. The squash has not yet set fruit. Too cool, with not enough heat. Oh, well. C'est la vie! The foliage, but especially the flowers, are a delight. Methinks it a bit late for fruit now. We shall visit the weekly markets.
The lake is different every day. I love the changes. Usually the wind is absent in the early a.m. Some days, like today, it comes from the opposite shore. Sending gentle waves directly towards me; caressing my face, soothing my soul. I inhale the scent of the outdoors. Lake moisture, the pines, the fragrant aroma of the Asiatic Lilies; all a sensual beginning to the day. Guinivere protects hers garden.
The black and gray squirrels are in the oak tree; dive bombing anyone who chooses to walk below. Guinivere looks at me as if for protection.
The sun sparkles between the leaves as it rises to its zenith. Across the peninsula, water dances in the breeze. I wonder if my mother of all turtles is on his rock getting warm in the sun?!
The low hum of traffic, off in the distance, reminds me of my former working life. Early morning alarm clocks turned off in the predawn, a 62 km drive into work, recess bells, yard duty, parent-teacher meetings, schedules and deadlines. I still have nightmares about these things: being late for school, not finding my daybook, or an inability to keep control of a classroom of rambunctious kids. 'Tis bittersweet knowing that what I have learned about curriculum, discipline, and the like, I now leave behind me for others to learn. The book I meant to write, as yet unwritten. I sip my coffee and ponder life.
I luxuriate in my chimes that warn of a storm. Mom always said that the wind from this direction forewarned of a change in weather. And living here full-time I find this is usually true. I love the wind and rain. I know how much the lake and the land need the water.
The place begins to become more active. The red squirrel's chittering tells me that the cat is nearby. Disgusted that Sady is on patrol; he tells the whole world.
All is well and good with the My Muskoka watery world.
For more professional videos see the link above, for my amateur videos see mine below. The link has incredible photos of lightning, I really have to figure out how to do that!
News has not been good: "Power restored to Ontario residents following storm" Power was restored to thousands of Toronto residents after an intense storm swept across the city Sunday night.
The news was not good and it is a significant story across the board with Climate Change.
The Canadian Press, Mon Aug. 10 2009 7:00:38 PM . SARNIA, Ont. — Severe weather that rolled across southern Ontario on Sunday may have contributed to the death of a 49-year-old woman.
After 15,000+ photos, I am still mastering the finer points of moon shots, lightning, macrophotography and videography. They recommend that those of us over 50 do such to keep our brains in gear. And I agree. We cannot prevent dementia, and other neurological disorders. (Just like we can't toilet train our kids before they are ready, or teach them to read before they crawl. But that is another blog topic!)
We are fortunate to have escaped the biggest punch the storm delivered, but there was much rain. I remember talking to my poor father, while a hurricane passed over. He was in Long-Term Care and suffering from dementia from a brain tumour. He just could not understand why his TV wasn't working. "The candle in the oven is out!" he told me on the phone. But that, too, is another story. (Dying With Dignity)
Watch the rain stream down like ribbons.
After a date with Mr. Insomniac, or having to let the cat in or out before dawn (I forget which!) I decided to try out my new tripod.
I spliced it and cut it into a shorter clip, so as not to bore us all!
These my last year's photo for this date: Nov. 18, 2008. Honest!
