Thursday, October 6, 2011

Looking and Sniffing Around


runner ducks
The rain brought out the good smells of the earth and plants, like the junipers lining the broad sidewalk along which Pippin and I walked for a long time yesterday. We were on our way to the park so that Scout could feed the ducks. Dozens of ducks, geese and even some coots came to sample our bread -- but I focused eventually on the backs of the geese, and dreamed of a skirt in those colors and patterns.

More species of birds live by the lake and sleep on the lawns than last time I was here. Even runner ducks, and several types of geese in addition to the Canada geese, who were not interested in us at all.

I loved these khaki-colored guys with their topknots.

pimiento pepper
After we got home, Pippin looked out the window and said, "Oh, you have a phoebe!" I was so excited to hear that, but it took me a while to see the little bird on the fence after it was pointed out to me, and not just because I wasn't wearing my glasses. If a large goose gets in my face the way they did at the park, I notice them, but otherwise the details of my environment have to be fairly stationary if they are going to get my attention.

This morning I went out to take photos of the wet and more stationary garden. Quite a few pimientos are ripe red now, and I'll be snapping them off soon to roast over the gas flame of the stove.

In the front yard the verbena is still blooming away, and contrasts nicely with the variegated leaves of the shrub whose name I can't remember right now.

Cécile Brunner
The mister and I are Glad that our nest will be ready against the winter cold: At this very moment a man is installing a brand new furnace in the garage, and yesterday we laid in a supply of oak firewood. Those logs make for another yummy scent of Fall. Stay warm, Everyone!



5 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Oh, that IS a lovely wood pile! I love that smell, too.
Pimento! I like it!
I also like a black duck. Thank you for the view!

Jeannette said...

Today was duckie weather...your post captures the sense of transition in all the best ways.

Martha said...

We also have a lot of wood...but it's in HUGE logs, my husband and a friend are going to split it. It's been unusually warm here the past week 80'F here today.

heather west said...

Cool ducks. I've never seen ducks like those light brown/white ones!

Leslie said...

Your duck photos make me smile. I've never seen those beige ones either. Is that feathers on their head!?! How fancy. =D Duck "laughing" woke me up at 4am this morning. Why they must make that weird sound is beyond me.