Thursday, June 24, 2010

Early Morning Ride


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Originally uploaded by Unknown species
For the first official ride of the summer season I couldn't have asked for better weather. At six in the morning it was a little brisk but tolerable. The morning sun glistened off the dew-covered grass like millions of tiny jewels. As the sun climbed into the morning sky it produce some interesting reflections off a dead calm lake,
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I did manage to get a rather nice shot of a female red-winged blackbird. Her mate was scolding me the whole time, swooping down in an attempt to scare me off. Since she did not move I can only assume she had a nest nearby.
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A tree swallow stood guard over his nest and if you look closely you can see another bird peering out of the hole. Timing is everything when it comes to nature. Generally speaking, flowers are easier although if there's a wind blowing (and when isn't there around these parts?) they can pose a challenge.
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I continue to ride as the knee continues to heal (slowly) and take pictures of everything in sight. Hopefully some of them are worth looking at.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Final Rites Of Spring

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It may not have been the most ambitious ride I've undertaken this year but I managed thirty kilometers never-the-less. My knee is screaming but I refuse to listen. Take two painkillers and call me in the morning. Better yet, don't call me, I'll call you.
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Every time I get out to my little railway bridge I rebuild my rock cairn. For some reason it seems to be someone's mission in life to knock it down--I have therefore made it mine to rebuild it each and every time. The change in the vegetation is amazing. When I built the very first cairn back in February there was nothing green to be seen, only white and brown--it made me frown.
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The sights and sounds of summer surrounded me today. Between the birds, the frogs and the insect population there was always a background synphony playing. The wetland areas seem to be full of blackbirds this year, both red-winged and yellow-headed.
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Summer begins tomorrow--enjoy!

Friday, June 11, 2010

A New Beginning


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Originally uploaded by Unknown species
As I end one chapter of my life, I begin another. The wheel turns (quite literally in this case) and I return from whence I came. On Sunday I will be back at Black Top Taxi for the first time in over four years. Much has changed and I will need retraining but considering how long I spent in the industry I think it'll come back to me fairly quickly.
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I hobbled out to the field across the road from our place and watched the sun come up this morning. Perhaps it was an omen of good things to come for when I got home the phone rang. My old job was mine if I wanted it! So there it is--full circle. I shall be wenting back from where I wented from.
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Speaking of which, I have no idea when or if my knee will let me get back on the bicycle. The last two rides were somewhat painful but I suppose it won't get any better if I don't use it. At least I'll get to give it a rest at work.
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