"If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud." ~ Emile Zola

10 July 2010

Adventures in the Woods

I have been loving my time in the woods hiking lately. The scent of honeysuckle and earth, the teeny purple butterflies that land on the puddles on the trail, tadpoles swimming in clear gentle streams, the lilting tune of song sparrow and chatter of chickadee- these lull me into a sweeter state.







Were it not for a fall, twisting the same ankle twice, and the occasional daddy (or mommy) long-leg that hitchhikes out on my back to surprise me later, it would be downright perfection. :P

When T & I hike together, we have even been wandering out of the woods to walk in the local cemetery! I've always been freaked out by cemeteries until we decided to explore the one just near where we hike. It is so peaceful and quiet and nature-y... we stumbled on three deer there playing one evening! In the park, we've also seen baby snakes, and late last week I met the teeniest, tinest, most miniscule, squee froggie baby I have EVER SEEN! it was like half the size of my pinkie fingernail- no joke! Her legs were so skinny and wee I was amazed at how they could be strong enough for her to (clumsily) jump on. :)

Since I last posted about my hiking adventures, I've actually remembered to bring my camera with me! Sharing some photos here now. I didn't change my settings for the sunny conditions, so the quality isn't that great. But you'll get the idea. :)


Giant black snake. Scared the crap out of me!


The little toad I mentioned meeting in my last hiking post.



Song sparrow.



Tadpoles!





More tadpoles!



Sweet little chickadee hiding in the trees
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3 comments:

VeggieAmanda said...

I love reading about your hiking adventures and seeing your pictures of nature.

Rebecca said...

How wonderful of you to share your hike with us! It sounds fabulous and downright soul-filling! And I love the song sparrow photo... looks like it would lend itself nicely for a brush painting in the near future, maybe??

I like your black snake too. We have them around the house and see them every now and then. Though I don't like it when they find the baby bird nests, they are definitely pretty cool creatures themselves.

Lotus Out Loud ॐ said...

A painting- maybe! :) Thanks for reading, you two. You're the best! xoxo

By the way, that was a BIG snake! lol I didn't know they got into bird nests. :/