On an Early May Afternoon I went out to Nine Mile Prairie in between Two Storms. It had just Stopped Raining when I arrived and Dark Clouds were still Nearby. I had Three Hours to wander around and Look at the New Clouds Rolling in from the West before the Next Storm Began…
Tag: Greenup
April in the West Draw
On a very Cool and Overcast late April Day at the Mouth of the West Draw I visited my Old Friend, the Goner Cottonwood. Then by following the Water Upstream the Afternoon revealed bright New Blooms, some more recent Wind Damage & a few faded Remnants of the Old Year.
A Walk Among the Living and the Dead…
“April is the cruellest month…” – n’est ce pas?
A Good Friday in the Rain
As I Went Out on Good Friday Morning, the Rain began as soon as I was through the Gate and Walking across the Prairie. For the First Few Hours it was Merely Damp. But later in the Morning the Sound of Thunder and a Harder Downpour told Me: “Ite, Missa Est…”
Wild Plum Blooms Once Again… and other Signs of Spring.
The Earth is Once Again Made New & Life Dances On…
Rain Day
On a Rainy March Afternoon I put the Rain Gear on the Camera, suited up and wandered out. Rain Days are the Worst and the Best. Shooting in the Steady Rain is a challenge not only just to Keep the Gear Dry, Lenses free of Water Spots and to see the Viewfinder through Foggy Glasses – but at this Time of Year it can get Cold and Unpleasant fast when Wind picks up, Rain comes Sideways and Clothes get Wet as they eventually always do. Everything just takes a Lot Longer. On this Day I lasted Five Hours.
But on these Magical Days all the Colors are Richer and More Vibrant. When Everything is Wet the Prairie looks Very Different than at Any Other Time. Sometimes One can See it once again with Beginner’s Eyes. And that makes it All Worthwhile. It is my Favorite Time to be Out There…
A March Afternoon Down in the West Draw
On a breezy March Afternoon with whispery thin High Clouds making for a Beautiful Soft Light I walked across the Prairie to the Head of the West Draw. There the Seeps and Springs were flowing even though the Winter had not been very wet. Last year’s Grasses lay like a Golden Blanket covering the wet Cleft. I followed the Water downstream North until the Sun started to sink low. Then back up a Game Trail into the Prairie and Wind…
The Chronology of a March Afternoon
On the Second of March I entered the Prairie under scooting White Puffster Clouds tracking in from the Northwest on a brisk Breeze & punctuating the Sunshine with periods of Gray Soft Light. I crossed the East Field & around to the Mouth of the Little Spike Draw & then Upstream past Clusters of Cottonwoods to the Hidden Seep which was this Day only a bit wet & oozing. From there I climbed up & out onto the Second Field & through Golden Grasses bearing Southwest to the Park-like Copse near the Confluence of the muddy Second Draw & the freely flowing Big South Draw. Here I visited Grandfather Cottonwood & ventured to the Edge of the Wetlands to the South. Then on the walk back to my truck in Late Afternoon Light I came upon a Tree just shy of Flowering.
Wild Plum Blossoms Opening
The wild plum blossoms began opening
at Nine Mile Prairie this year
on a cloudy blustery March 30
with the smell of rain on the wind.
Enjoy this cinematic display
of spring’s aching newness…
For Saint Patrick’s Day – a Bit of Green
If you like these and want to see more of the spring
that is sure to come,
go to A Circle Around the Sun… above on the menu
and click on May.
There you will find 80 new photos from
the Queen of Our Months…