Moonrise

 

Lovely Luna

 

Looking East--Morning and Evening

Morning . . .

.. . .  and evening. . .

Sometimes It Takes My Breath Away

I never tire of the view from our front porch.  I stepped out Thursday evening to do something or other, was captivated by the last rays of sun on the mountain across the river, and grabbed my camera. Returning inside to finish dinner preparations, I glanced out the kitchen window and was surprised to see what had happened in almost no time.

A pale pink moon had emerged from the purple clouds and was floating above the trees.

It was a fine reminder of the beauty all around us, beauty we might miss if we're not paying attention, beauty that's just around the corner.

She was full as of late Friday night and early (1:30-ish) this morning -- and as the first full moon of November she's called the Hunter's Moon -- or the Beaver Moon or the Frost Moon.

Whatever you call her, "She walks in beauty . . ."

Heavenly Bodies

I was out on the deck yesterday morning, taking pictures of the sunrise, when I noticed the moon overhead . . .

The waning crescent seemed to smile and blush at the sun's arrival. . .

 Up and down my camera swiveled . . .

As the sun grew brighter . . .

And the sky went from pale gray to blue . . .

The moon began to fade,  ceding the stage to the new born day.

Sunday Smattering

Back on Wednesday, I was heading to Burnsville to teach my class when I passed a red-tailed hawk by the side of the road. I've seen him before, up in a dead tree nearby, but this time he was on the ground. 

I was past him before I realized what I'd seen but he didn't take off so I stopped, fumbled around for my camera (which I'd foolishly put in its bag, in the backseat -- note to self: keep camera out, turned on!) and backed up.

The hawk wasn't hurt, thank goodness. It had a goodsized black snake -- probably road kill, certainly the first I've seen out.)

To my amazement, when I backed up, the hawk didn't take off at once. Finally, though, he got his dinner firmly in his talons and flew. 

I was delighted with these two captures -- be sure to click on the pictures to biggify them and really see the hawk -- such gorgeous birds!

Hawk, shmalk, says Eddie. Biggify THIS!

 And the willows are greening...

And there was a fine moon on the rise last night.

Happy Sunday!

Miscellany

 Just some things that caught my eye: 

the diminishing grid of snow on the cabin roof . . .


  

...a  shadow tree ...

... a purple finch ...

... and the layered pastels of an evening sky . . .

with a tiny moon,  peeking through the tree branches.

Out Early. Home Late

Even the mourning doves weren't up yet when I left yesterday to drive to Greenville, S.C.

And it was still foggy down at the pond, though a burning bush lit the way.

The luncheon in Greenville was lovely and it was fun to see some old friends, and some I knew from emails, and some entirely new.

Jill of Fiction Addiction (who also wants to know about that cliff-hanger) put on a fine event and I hope to return to her wonderful store when the Birdie book comes out.

It was a pleasant trip in beautiful weather . . . and I was delighted to be greeted by the full moon -- the Hunter's Moon -- as I turned into our drive around six in the evening.

And now for something completely different:I have a new word -- why didn't I know about steam punk before this and why do I find it so intriguing?

Do you all know what steam punk is? According to my friend Mr. Google, it's been around for over 30 years.

You can expect to hear more about steam punk in a future post!

Variable November Skies

Look down, look up -- there's always something to see . . .

(Click on the slideshow to go to full screen viewing -- really, it's worth it!)

After the Rain

Thursday was another day of blessed, soaking rain, pattering on the metal roof and bringing healing relief to our long-parched fields and woods.

At last, in late afternoon, the clouds began to roll away to the east where the setting sun tinted them with pink and rose and gold.

And then a moonrise -- just two days shy of full.

So much beauty.

No oil to read by . . .
I am off to bed
But ah! . . .
My moonlit pillow

An appropriate haiku by Basho (1644 - 1694), probably the greatest of haiku writers.

Go here for Kay Byer's lovely poem "Full Moon."