It's A Summer Thing

 

"There is time in the last few days of summer 

when the ripeness of autumn fills the air,

 and time is quiet and mellow."

~Rudolfo Anaya

Bless Me, Ultima

What says, it's the last days of summer. quite like finding a gorgeous, Great Egret, sitting in a tree, waiting for a dragonfly to hop into it's mouth.

Shrug. I guess it's a summer thing.

I'm Beginning 2025 On A Happy Note

"A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels,

 in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed."

~Ansel Adams

For some sill reason, this photograph has been liked, as of the composing of this post, 151 times, on BlueSky! I can see all kinds of technical errors, the lighting, the foreground, it's not perfectly straight, there is a telephone pole keeping it from being a perfect landscape, but somehow... they liked it! It's the second to last picture posted to the photography community on BlueSky for 2025 and the first to this platform for 2026. I like that. And hopefully, it's a sign of good things to come! Here's to thinking positively!

On A Warm Autumn Day

 

“I kick off sandals and feel the wet mud under my feet... I want to taste everything about Autumn when I am footloose.”

 
~Reena Doss,

  The Last Leaf Of Autumn: Barefoot and falling, infinity is a number that has none to end

 

Isn't that a gorgeous bird? I never get tired of photographing Sandhill Crane, especially while they are doing simple things, like just standing in the middle of a field, on a warm October day. I don't need big flyovers, although I love them, I just need a happy bird enjoying the day, to bring out the happy photographer in me. 

 

That's all.

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #7

 

“I am falling in love with autumn all over again”

 
~Charmaine J Forde 

 

 

A Quote And A Hawk

 

“I dreamed my shoulders held up the sky for a thousand hawks that squawked and cawed and beat their feathered wings against the hotness of the day. I supported their flight, watching and marveling, until sweat dripped from my body, and groans crossed my lips over fatiguing muscles.

Choosing to let the sky fall, I awoke.

My eyes opened to a cast of hawks gripping me in their talons. They supported my weight, hauling me high above the clouds through a blue expanse of heaven. And though they struggled—squawking and flapping wearily—never once did a single bird release its hold.” 

 

 
~Richelle E. Goodrich,

  Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year

 

Today, Just a quote and a beautiful bird, the Red-shouldered hawk.

 The world can take care of itself.

 

Half Way To October

 

“October knew, of course, that the action of turning a page,

 of ending a chapter or shutting a book, did not end the tale.
Having admitted that, he would also avow that happy endings were never difficult to find: "It is simply a matter," he explained to April, "of finding a sunny place in a garden, where the light is golden and the grass is soft; somewhere to rest, to stop reading, and to be content.”

 
~Neil Gaiman,

  The Sandman, Vol. 4: Season of Mists

 

 

 I have mentioned before, that I had never really seen clouds before I moved to the San Joaquin Valley, so every time I see a day as stunning as this, no matter what season it is, my heart skips a beat! I think the light is a little prettier in autumn, but its hard to deny that sunny days in April hold a magic all their own, days that rival the perfect days of October. If only there could be leaves of autumn, in all the earth tones of my favorite season, could be found in spring as well. All the trees are producing one color... green. A nice color, but not nearly as beautiful, emotional and filled of personality as autumn as the autumn leaves are. We are six months away from my favorite seasons return, and I can't wait, but in the mean time, this isn't bad either! I will just focus on the clouds and the wildflowers until October returns!

 

 

 

 

Desmond/Bruceville

 

“A formation of geese majestically swept over my office as they flew out to feed in the local fields. And as they coursed their way into the promise of morning’s horizon, I was immediately reminded of how many things vie for my attention and consume my time that possess nothing of majesty and have no ability to fly.” 

~Craig D. Lounsbrough 

 

Sometime, if I wake up really early in the morning, I can hear geese fly over my condo, on their way to, more than likely, the Delta. I have seen them many times, soaring over Pixie Woods, a children's park next to my place. Last winter there was a small flock in Louis Park, and some around the Haggin Museum. I haven't checked the grounds of the museum yet, but I would guess there are many Canada gees there right now. There is no shortage of wildlife around me but I still love Desmond/Bruceville road in Galt the most. It's a jaunt to get there, but more than worth it! That's where I took these photos. It provides a great mostly unobstructed view of the birds. I have found so many different species of bird there, every one heals my heart just a little bit. I will be eternally grateful for every webbed foot in that little river, and at the Cosumnes River Preserve.

 

 

The Flight Of The Greater White-fronted Goose

 

“And the sunsets of autumn— are they not gorgeous beyond description? More so than the brightest dreams of poetry?”

 

~Charles Lanman

Imagine thousands, yes, I meant that, thousands of birds, mainly the hefty Greater white-fronted geese, taking off all at once, with a stunning sunset in the background. On the one hand I was sad that I could only capture silhouette of my favorite bird, but on the other hand I have posted pics from previous Autumn's with the birds in flight, similar to this, but during daylight hours, so it's a nice change I think. I will try to visit the Cosumnes river again in the next week, or so, and do a series beginning earlier in the day.If I get there by 3:30 pm I should have plenty of time to get a nice series of photos done. It all depends on weather. If I don't get out there this week, I will soon. Just try to keep me away!

Last night...

The Cosumnes River Preserve is my paradise.

The Art Of Turning Over New Leaves

 

“There is October in every November and there is November in every December! All seasons melted in each other’s life!”

 
~Mehmet Murat ildan

 

In late spring, we begin to see pheasant, quail and turkeys, all over the valley but they are at their loveliest when I see them running through the vineyards and orchards.Their feathers remind me of the rows autumn leaves they're are moving in and out of. I don't even know how many times we have just stopped and watched them! This particular group stays near the vineyards off Franklin blvd, in Galt. It sits about 500 feet from the bridge where I went to observe the Mexican Free-tailed bat, late last summer. The two more than likely have nothing to do with each other, but it's a fun coincidence that there is so much life right there. It's also the area where I spotted a large group of swallows last spring, and the Bullocks orioles in early summer. There is something for everyone right there, and just a few hundred yards up the road from there is the visitors center at the Cosumnes River. And if that isn't enough beauty my new friend, Boris the Spider, built a really nice mansion for himself, just about 3 miles northeast of this spot, although I am afraid he has moved on.

 

As I said a few posts back, I haven't seen him in weeks, all that's left is a few heavy silver strands of spider silk. The cold was probably getting to him, same as it's getting to me. Or maybe a bird swooped him up and had a snack of him. I don't want to ponder the situation too much. I am happy to believe he is merely at his winter home, lazing by the pool, and I will see him again next April, when the earth turns once again to the warmth of spring and summer. Yes, Autumn has sent him off to simply live in the moment among different leaves. Autumn is teaching me to live in the moment as well. I guess I'm turning over a new leaf, and as turning over new leaves go... living in the moment feels a lot healthier than setting rigid expectations and goals for myself. I mean who thought a year ago that not only would I make a spider friend, but would be waiting for summer to come back around so we could visit one another again? Thank you, Autumn!