Listening to the grass

Listening in

I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.

~ William Shakespeare

I’m not sure why I picked this quote.  Old Will was wrong on two counts:  I love this place (not far from “like,” but stronger), and I don’t consider my time spent in it a waste.

Rustling in the wind

Today I walked through the woods and meadows.  It’s very windy here.  The wind booms like thunder at times.  I’m not sure what causes that effect.  Perhaps it is the sound of the wind clapping.

Wisps in the wind

The weather is rather odd.  Warm (50 degrees or more) yet chilly (because the wind speed is about 23 mph).  When I stepped outside, I thought I was overdressed.  Then the wind hit me and I wondered if I had worn enough layers.

Lights in the woods

I stood for the longest time, in the woods and in the meadows, listening to the music of the grasses as the wind played them like instruments.  The grasses sing of change.

Looking out over the pond while I listen to the meadow grasses.

You could listen to the grasses.  Or you could check the weather forecast.  Either way, you would learn that snow and cold are coming soon to the Bogs.

You can’t see it in these photos, but there is ice on the surface of the pond.  The ice doesn’t completely cover the pond.  There are open spots of water, especially around the edges.  Yesterday the open spots were smaller than today.

Geese on ice

When I glanced out the window yesterday morning, I thought both of these geese were standing on the ice.

Goose on ice

As it turns out, only the banded goose was standing.  His partner was swimming in one of the small openings in the ice.

I reported the banded goose to the Bird Banding Laboratory.  The neat thing about reporting them (besides helping with ongoing research) is that I may get a certificate with all of the banding information about the bird (where he was banded, where he’s traveled, etc.).  It all depends on whether they can match the band, the bird, and the project.

In the woods at Quail Hollow

I went for a hike at Quail Hollow State Park yesterday afternoon.  It was a lovely day for it.  A bit chillier than today, but still bright and sunny.  The ground was hard and frozen in places, soft and mushy in others.

Sunset yesterday. It reminds me of sherbet.

Oh!  I almost forgot to tell you!  An eagle flew over the pond today.  M and I saw it while we were eating lunch.  It’s our first sighting of an eagle here at Breezy Acres.  The eagle didn’t stop, but we’re hoping it will come back now that it knows there is a pond here to be fished.

Back in the meadow

That’s about it from the Bogs for today.  Thank you for visiting, and listening to the grasses with me.  Perhaps they have a message for you, too.

The odd one in

I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want.

~ Andy Warhol

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