At Bosque del Apache: In the dappled light on the verge of a thicket of cottonwoods, a mule deer was browsing. It wasn't in any hurry, not bothered at all by the occasional vehicle passing by on the gravel road. I paused and watched it for a while, leaning against my car and enjoying the quiet scene while the sun warmed my back. It was one of those moments when light filters deep inside you.
That was at one end of the refuge. When I reached the other end the snow geese were flocking—flocking, fighting, frighting. Something had disturbed them. The sun caught in their wings as they whirled and flapped, a blizzard come early. Even when they're calm their numbers can take your breath away; you have to shade your eyes against the blaze of white where they blanket the fields. The noise they make when something has spooked them is the next best thing to deafening. They're sure beautiful, but boy, can they raise a ruckus.
With the aim of having life be more deer-in-dappled-light quiet than snow-goose-flapping frantic for the next few weeks, I'm going to be taking a break from Microcosm for a while. I'll visit with you all at your own blogs when I can, and if something extra-delightful comes up that I think you would enjoy, I'll pop in for a post of my own. I really appreciate you all, my dear readers—I'm touched and pleased that you enjoy Microcosm, and that you stop by here to read and make comments and link your life in whatever small way with mine. I'll see you again after the New Year (if not before).
In the meantime, I wish you many of those dappled-light moments of your own.
I hope you have a restful break. I can understand your need for life to be quiet, especially during this time of year. So many times we are like the geese - flying around in circles, just because everyone else is doing it. Enjoy the holidays.
ReplyDeleteHolley, thank you--it was a help to have at least one thing less on the to-do list. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year's!
DeleteI wish you happy holidays, in that most beautiful landscape. See you in the new year! (I always take comfort and inspiration from these posts - when we live in the city again - we'll follow Stacey's example and go walking in Silvermine, or at Cape Point, join a hack group to Elsie's Peak ...)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana--I hope you had lovely holidays in your own beautiful landscape! (I can't imagine that you and Jurg would ever not find your own patches of nature close to the city to go exploring in now and then.)
DeleteWonderful post - yes I am a true goose flapper given a chance. Good reminder to slow down.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen--hope you did find some time to slow down over the holidays. But somehow, I suspect that you didn't... Hope you enjoyed all the activity, instead!
DeleteStacy wishing you the happiest of holidays and many dappled days. I am hoping to find my life more dappled-light but after the week of training I just went through I find it will be frantic for months until I retire...so I appreciate your wonderful insights and will try to find the dappled times in the frantic hours.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I hope you do find some of those moments of quiet in the middle of busy-ness--and I hope your Christmas was absolutely beautiful!
DeleteMaybe the geese got wind of the new fashion to eat goose rather than turkey for xmas dinner.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holiday Stacy - Looking forward to more posts in the New Year.
Some rumor to the effect definitely went viral. Silly geese, believing all they hear! I hope the holidays went well for you, b-a-g!
DeleteMay you have a holiday season filled with beauty and peace... and I look forward to whenever it is that you check back in. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy--I hope you and yours had a very warm and lovely set of holidays! A huge hug from afar. Albuquerque is still waiting for you to come explore it...
DeleteWhen I saw the snow geese image I instantly whispered OMG to myself so you know it touched a nerve. How blessed you were to experience all of this marvelous creation. And you have the images to last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteWishing you restful long moments when "light filters deep inside you"! Thanks for all your evocative words Stacy. What a gift.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs Stacy, I particularly like that first one, the blaze of autumn on the trees contrasting with the blue water and muted shades of the mountains behind. May your break be restorative for body and soul, will look forward to catching up with you as and when you return.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your pause, Stacy. I shall picture you dozing in your adirondack (still have to check the spelling on that one)! Dave
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the snow geese image, I instantly said out loud "Oh my God!". I don't ever remember doing that for other images. I'm so glad you captured and have much gratitude I had the opportunity to see it. A grove of such very tall trees in the fall must have been a thrill by itself.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, what a gift! As always, your writing is insightful and the photos magnificent.
ReplyDeleteBelated, I wish you a happy holiday and nice break!
Hugs, -R.
Hello Stacy, stunning images, as usual. I hope you have a wonderful and restful Christmas and look forward to reading your next post soon! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteStacy, I am sorry not to have been a more regular visitor to your blog of late. Your posts are always so gently thought-provoking and beautifully crafted. Let me join with others in wishing you many more deer-in-dappled-light moments. Jill
ReplyDelete