Sunday, January 27, 2019

Winter Woods Geometry

  We have taken advantage of three sunny days (in a row!) to get out and enjoy nature minus the bugs and heat of the rest of the year, and minus the rain we have been inundated with since Christmas.

  We tend to work in the morning and then around lunchtime, throw some food in the cooler bag and ask each other, where do you want to have lunch?  Today we settled on Hampton Plantation, a state historic site, and a walk in the winter woods. 

 The camera eye loves the skeletal lines revealed in the winter landscape.  Woodland geometry becomes art with parallel lines of brown, bisected randomly with slim pine and holly branches, and a solitary piece of fence that surely once had a purpose.  Our hike takes us past the remains of the foundation of an old slave cabin, down along miles of overgrown rice fields, their dikes invisible in summer revealed now by the editing of winter.



 Cypress trees have seized an opportunity, taking root  where the golden rice once grew.  The one in the grouping of trees to the right, like no other, has developed with a saddle that split into two trunks.  









We’re in no hurry and meander, stopping frequently to raise our eyes up, up to the birds.  The Writer spots an eagle soaring overhead, I focus my glasses on LBJs (Little Brown Jobs), a flock of tiny feathered puffs, darting near us all along the trail.  They are warblers but the only ones I can identify are Yellow-Rumps (or Butter Butts, as we like to call them).  We sit down by the foundation of the slave cabin to watch a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker searching up, down, and around a tree for his buggy lunch.  

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Soon it is time for our lunch — “eating out” without the guilt!  No added salt, sugar, or fat to worry about, no expensive food or tip to leave.  No reservations to call ahead for the best seats in the house, and Bob is welcome, too!  







16 comments:

  1. Your dog is so cute and I like your idea of picnics and exploration.

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  2. Best place to eat. You're looking good, the weather there is obviously suiting you.

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  3. Great idea. If I could tear Dan away from studying Spanish, practicing guitar or painting we might get a chance to do that someday.

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  4. Lovely photos.
    Always lovely to have a meal like you describe.

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  5. You have lots for lunch other than food!

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  6. That is the best kind of day and lunch too especially with Bob! :)

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  7. That's a lovely pic of you both Cynthia - and indeed such a great lifestyle - lunching out in nature. Feeding the soul at the same time.

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  8. That's my way of a walk. I mostly always take some food with me. You never know when and where you find something to eat and at least you have some energy again to go on!

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  9. Wonderful, something that we do regularly. The awful weather we are having at the moment sees us driving to a beautiful spot and taking a sandwich and a hot drink with us.

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  10. Lovely place and a beautiful day to picnic. :)

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  11. Mmmm. Well I hated geometry as a sophomore. Whoda though I missed my chance on improving my photography skills and even art appreciation.! Oh well I was really was thankful to learn I wasn't the only on who calls those particular warblers "butter butts"....:)

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  12. I'm guessing the Cynthia eye loves the skeletal lines too. Are you missing Minnesota right about now! Dang, it's cold! As I type it's -26 F. air temp. USPS mail delivery has been suspended for today. I don't think I can even remember a day when that happened. Looks lie you and The Writer had a perfect lunch!

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  13. What a great idea. lucky to do it in winter.

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  14. you look happy and enjoy.
    have a great day

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  15. My husband loves picnics and I must start having more of them. I like the part about no tips and so much healthier. I like your picture at the end, such a happy shot and the sky is so pretty.
    The things I do not look forward to in the much warmer weather is the ticks and other bugs. Now is the time to be out. I think I will take a walk this morning and wish I was taking it in such pretty surroundings like you have here.



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  16. Always lovely to take a picnic lunch. Enjoy your retirement.

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