A Walk In The North Field - Part 2

The dogs and I had walked across the north field to the fence line, then crossed it and began exploring (see also Part 1, posted yesterday):

I noticed a steep but otherwise easy path downhill into the woods, so down we went. There was still some snow lingering down there in the shade:

But there was also some greenery which had kept its color beneath the snow all winter. This, I believe, was Christmas Fern:

Seamus, Clover and Daphne led the way:

We skirted the snow patches, headed east toward an old farm lane:

Most everything was still brown, but it made for easier walking:

And then I found another green fern. This one, I believe, was Broad Beech Fern:

More greenery - a lush clump of moss:

We returned uphill to the field and crossed back through the fence. Jack had by then wandered off but came running full speed when I called for him:

And we began returning home, with the barn and farm house ahead of us as our goal:

Happy dogs, making their way back across the field (Jack is that tiny orange thing in the upper right hand corner):

When we got to the gravel town road, the mailman was just driving by, so I stopped the dogs long enough to let him get past us. Then we crossed the road and returned home:

One Day After Our Snow Melt - Part 2

I was driving along the gravel road near my house to see the wintry beauty of new fallen snow (see also Part 1, posted yesterday). These tall Red Pines held the snow on towering heights:

Down lower, the bushes and saplings created a pearly lacework:

The small tree in the center of the photo was bowing gracefully:

A Cedar added a bit of green to the otherwise black and white tableau:

And the coppery leaves of a Beech added color in other places:

This was all private property, but some places sure looked inviting, seeming to say "Come walk around and explore:"

Red Pines and Beech trees:

A luminous filigree, created by snow covered branches:

Pines and hardwoods:

Beech trees and an old barbed wire fence:

White Pines have long, soft, flexible needles - five per bundle, and drape themselves artistically under a heavy, wet snow:

I turned onto another road to make my way home and began following a former field, now grown up into woodlands, as I continued to admire the wintry beauty. I put my camera away, however, for I had work to do at home:

The Last Days Of Summer

As our nights got cooler, the morning mists and dew grew heavier. This morning view is looking from the dog yard out over the Ninebark bushes, gravel road, north field and the trees beyond:

One pair of pigeons produced another baby. I feared it wouldn't make it, but it's been doing just fine:

The Wild Cucumber vines bloomed everywhere but were especially dramatic atop the old-fashioned rose bush. Alas, no photo of the combination turned out and I had to settle for just a photo of the Wild Cucumber blossoms:

Goldenrod, Burdock and Cattails abound along the fence line:

The New England Asters began to bloom. I hope they'll attract masses of butterflies like they did last year. There are a number of Monarch butterflies around but they won't hold still for photos:

One day I found half of my north field mowed:


And the next day my neighbor began tedding the mowed hay. Tedding is turning it over so it will dry thoroughly in the sun:

There was so much dew that he had to ted the mowed hay repeatedly:

And then, just before rain was expected, he and his uncle came to bale the hay. There were only 54 bales because the drought had kept it from growing for a month, but it was beautiful hay:

The best part for me was standing around afterwards and chatting:

The pink Rose Mallows began to bloom. They produce all their buds at the top of a big stalk which displays nicely outdoors, but renders them unusable for cut flowers, at least until the end of the season when there are just a few left. As you can see, the opening buds are gigantic like the flowers:

With the neighbors' barn and horse across the road, I thought they made a great late summer picture. You can see a red Rose Mallow bud on the top left, just about to open and add to the color:

Happy Dogs In Fort Jackson State Forest - Part 2

The dogs and I were taking a short winter hike on Sheldon/Barret Road in the Fort Jackson State Forest (see also Part 1, posted yesterday):

While only an unplowed, single lane, dirt road, it had a few road signs. The dogs ignored everything but exciting smells. They loved to find odoriferous surprises:

The pooches had been running ahead, but after awhile they slowed down:

The scenery was pleasant, mostly Red Pines and White Pines, with small Beech trees still holding onto their coppery leaves:

Fergus is quite the sprinter, and his ears flop as he runs:

And after each running session, the dogs would quiet down for a minute or two and investigate their surroundings:

Even old Seamus got playful:

But we didn't go far, and were soon retracing our steps, heading for our parked car:

The woods were so lovely that I kept taking scenery photos. I'll post them tomorrow:

Happy dogs:

I used to walk this trail/road all the time, but have since found so many new places to go with the dogs that it had been a long time since we'd been here. It's less than five miles from home, so we should go here more often:


I couldn't see our car because it was behind giant snowbanks, but I sensed it was just up ahead:

Indeed, the darker road up ahead was where the plowed road had ended and I parked the car. We were almost there. It had been a short but enjoyable hike, a pleasure to be outdoors with the happy dogs:

Happy Dogs In Fort Jackson State Forest - Part 1

Our return to winter weather had been hard to take, so when we finally had a sunny afternoon with temperatures in the 30s (F), I took the dogs out for a romp in the Fort Jackson State Forest. The road was only plowed a short distance, so I parked, let the dogs out and started walking:

Technically, we weren't yet in the State Forest. To our right was private land, and to our left was County Reforestation land. Nonetheless, it was wild and wonderful:

I didn't want to yell at the dogs, so I let them run ahead. I figured that they wouldn't leave the snowmobile-packed snow in the road and it was straight enough for me to keep an eye on them:

The woodlands were beautiful and the dogs were happy. I was snapping pictures like crazy:

When the dogs got too far ahead, I'd blow the silent whistle and they'd come running back (usually):

They found something fascinating just off the road but I didn't investigate. I kept walking, and soon they ran to catch up to me:

We had a lovely day, and the Beech trees added a bit of color to the woods:

The dogs ran and played. That's Seamus, way up ahead. The vet said that Seamus' heart was beginning to falter, so I didn't insist he come running back with the other dogs:

We were a happy crew:

They were all too far ahead again, so I blew the whistle and Jack came racing back to me:

Fergus was right behind him, followed by Daphne. Clover and Seamus stayed where they were:

This state forest is a gem and seldom used by local folks. We nearly always have it all to ourselves:

This was to be only a brief outing, but we were enjoying it so much that I just kept going. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: