Warm Days Are Over: Biking and Photographing Our Natural World

On one of our last warm days of fall, I packed the long lenses into my photo gear backpack and biked around Lake Barcroft and over to the W&OD Trail seeking out wildlife and autumn landscapes. I was happily surprised to observe these guys (gals?) framed by those great fall reflections and colors in the background.

"Whatchu lookin' at?" Pale feathered duck.

Frogs are so serene.  

Hairy woodpecker

The scenery that day was amazing. Here are some examples of my observations.

At the Community Garden, Lake Barcroft

Holly plant at the Community Garden, Lake Barcroft 

Sunset, Beach 3, Lake Barcroft

Prints of these and other images are available by contacting me and will also be available at the Lake Barcroft Holiday Art Show and Sale on December 7, 1pm-4pm

Goodbye Autumn Leaves

Out for a walk Saturday afternoon,  camera in hand. Autumn leaves are coming to an end. Here are my last photos of the wonderful colors of the season at our beautiful lake.

I will have frame-able prints of these and other photos of the Lake and its wildlife available for purchase at the Lake Barcroft Art League Holiday Show and Sale coming up on December 7. 

On a musical note, Carole and I have been practicing the tune "Autumn Leaves" together with Carole on vocals and guitar and me on electric bass. The song has been performed by numerous performers over the years. We like the Eric Clapton version, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQlFOX0YKlQ

The lyrics are very moving: 

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold.
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

The song was based on a French version by Jacques Prevert and strangly enough, the English lyrics, above, by Johnny Mercer,  are not a translation but a rewrite.  

C'est une chanson, qui nous resemble
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Nous vivions tous, les deux ensemble
Toi que m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants désunis.

For a complete history of this song, see http://www.crj-online.org/v4/CRJ-AutumnLeaves.php