Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Sounds of Silence


Trail at Caesar Creek State Nature Preserve

Mid-day, but barely bright.
The woods so cast in gloom,
several times I caught myself feeling we should hurry to beat sunset,
though its time still hours away.
In and out through dense stands of cedar,
this new trail so lovely, yet in this daylight, eerie--
dusted in the faintest light snow.

Sycamore roots at Creek's edge


And, all along the water’s edge,
where slender, young sycamores stand,
feet reaching the water,
we followed it in silence,
seemingly alone in the woods on this cold wintry day.
As if stepping into the hush that falls like a curtain,
as the shadow of a hawk spreads out across the ground,
it seemed the skies were empty.
The woods and waters, too.

Snow on Beaver work at Caesar Creek

All we saw were their snowy footprints, left ahead of us on the trail.
Not a sound to betray their presence.
The woods knew the hunters were there.


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17 comments:

Wendy said...

Beautiful pics and prose. Looks like you had a good walk.

Anonymous said...

I like the blur around the first photo. Did you do that on a program?

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I hope my comment doesn't show up on your blog twice. Something happened...

I wanted to say that I have felt that feeling of being the only live creature in a forest many times. It is eerie when the days are so short and it is so quiet.

We saw hunters everywhere today. UGH I was almost wishing we had our orange vests to wear.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Scienceguy--Thanks, I felt it helped soften the sharpness of the snow--a difficult subject for me to do well, without help. I'm using iphoto effects, in this case.

Lisa--Fortunately, I think it's only bow season now, meaning if they're firing at anything, they'd better be fairly close to it and able to see it clearly. Nevertheless, blaze orange wouldn't hurt. I just prefer not to be so highly tagged when I'm out in the woods--and, yes, the stillness is eerie.

Bradley Hsi said...

Yesterday, I was out photographing too. It was a bright sunny day and cherry flower was blossoming. I was hard at close-up, telephoto. Your pictures make me feel that I missed something. Something beautiful in seemingly ordinary scene.

Anonymous said...

I loved going with you on this hike! I had to laugh when I read your anxiousness over loosing daylight. I too do this all the time!
Chris

Dawn Fine said...

nice walk,,,thanks for taking us along

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Nina, I put a note on my blog--but didn't know if you'd read it. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm enjoying yours. Come back anytime!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Nina, I put a note on my blog--but didn't know if you'd read it. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm enjoying yours. Come back anytime!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

hitch writer said...

I loved the last pic the most !!!

Seems like a place to sit and throw a fishing line !!!

Linda said...

Lovely peaceful scenes. Good for the soul

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! Apt title!
Cheers, Klaus

Dave Coulter said...

I love this series of shots - with just a trace of snow!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful silent scenes indeed. Love the sycamore roots - the trees may lean away from each other but their roots are entwined.

Cheryl said...

Your post really do touch the soul. I love to follow your path....your writings and photographs are absolutely enchanting......

KaHolly said...

You have quite a gift. I'm blessed to have found your blog, and look forward to returning. What a lovely verse and photo combination.

Anonymous said...

Lovely. I particularly like the first photo.