Day 317; Footnotes of Into the Woods After the Rain

 The rain was coming down so hard this morning that it woke me from a deep sleep. Listening to the pounding on the roof I wanted to slide down further under the cover and drift back off to sleep. Instead I heard my son trying to get Bella to leave the room. She very rarely leaves, which I think my son takes as a challenge. Today she did finally jump down off the bed and start out, but the minute she looked out the door and saw the rain she did an immediate about face and came back to the bedroom. Giving in to the inevitable I got up and Bella good dog that she is, followed me out of the room. She still did not want to go out onto the front porch but Molly had already gone out so Bella finally surrendered and headed outside. 

As the rain pounded the roof I started a pot of coffee. I wanted that made just in case of a loss of power. The first cup in hand I came in here and sat down. This room has huge windows through which I can see a large portion of my back yard. Leaving the main door to the front yard open, I had a good view through the storm door of the front yard. Through both, I could see the pouring rain and the leaves falling just as heavily. The aroma of wet leaves and ground, that rich earthy smell was making its way in the open windows. 

Reports kept coming in of flash flooding. Roadways were blocked by water and several water rescues going on because of the high water. I was very glad I had nowhere I needed to go.

I was also counting on the reports being correct in that the rain would start ending around lunch. And they actually were pretty close to right. When the rain ended I decided I would do a little walking out in the yard to try to get some of my steps in.

In the process of walking around the yard I saw a small ground snake, not much bigger than a worm. Not wanting to step on it I picked it up, took advantage of the moment to take a couple pictures and then released it off on the far side of the yard where it quickly disappeared in the leaves.

 As I stood back up I again looked down into the woods at the remaining colors. Taking a chance that it wouldn’t start raining again I headed down into the woods. I didn’t plan on going far as I wasn’t wearing any hunter orange to let anyone out there know I was human not target. Making my way down the hill I snapped a photo here and there. Most of the color was gone, ripped from the trees by the rain,but there was enough that I could do close up shots. I followed the sound of water and watched as a small creek created by the water running downhill fell into the big ditch at the base of the hill sloping down from my yard.

 I made my way along the woods, back up away from a swampy area and onto the path. Taking care as the ground was slick from the flowing rain water. I reached the pond and hiked slowly around it looking for any interesting potential photos. As I left the pond I crossed a small field and watched as the creek running full made its way around the field and off into the woods. 

Deciding I had taken all the chances I dared risk I headed for home. I wanted to see if any of the photos I had taken with my phone turned out decent. I’m hoping that weather permitting I can get back out there tomorrow with my camera and try again to capture what remains. 

I do love trying to capture color and textures of nature. Everything from the leaves to fungus to wildlife. I especially love being out in the woods where the world is quiet and peace wraps around you like a comforting blanket. Right now, as I listen to the sounds of the nightlife coming in the slightly open window, with an empty coffee cup at hand, I know, I am content. The world from the moment washed clean and smelling woodland fresh after the rain.

in the eye of the beholder