We just got back from a trip to visit my father in central New York State, where we helped him celebrate his 87th birthday. He continues to be completely independent, extremely active, and in remarkably good shape and spirits, for which I'm very grateful. (I sure hope I've inherited all of those genes!)
While there I took advantage of the snowlessness to take a walk in the woods and along the outlet from the lake into the Chenango River, where I took some photographs of different kinds of activities than the busy-ness of the holiday season.
Is picture 6 the result of attention to a tree by a beaver? It looks like all the cartoons one sees of such things.
Posted by: rr | December 18, 2011 at 05:11 PM
It certainly is. And picture 5 as well. The cartoony aspect is why I took the photo, but that's the way they look anyway. The ground was also covered with big chips of wood that the Busy Beavers had chewed off.
Posted by: Beth | December 18, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Wonderful photos, Beth, I especially like lichens, on that stone no less! I bet you have your father's longevity genes, something I don't have from my parents at any rate.
Posted by: Marja-Leena | December 18, 2011 at 05:25 PM
Beautiful pictures. The milkweed made me homesick - I grew up in Syracuse, and we always picked milkweed in the fall. Thank you for the reminder!
Posted by: Kate Smith | December 18, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Thanks, Marja-Leena. I'm not surprised to hear that you like lichens, since they are an extension of the stones you love so much! And I don't know about longevity: it's great if you're in good shape like my father is, not so good if you're not. Lots of fresh air and exercise all his life seem to have helped him, but I think a lot of it actually is genetic - many of his ancestors lived well into their nineties and even beyond.
Hi Kate, it's nice to hear from you -- I always love hearing from fellow central New Yorkers! I love milkweed too, and couldn't resist taking a picture of these pods. Fall, to me, was always watching milkweed drift in the air, along with monarch butterflies.
Posted by: Beth | December 18, 2011 at 09:25 PM
My favorite is the cleft stone gathering moss...
Posted by: marly youmans | December 19, 2011 at 07:29 AM
Yes -- mine too, Marly!
Posted by: Beth | December 19, 2011 at 10:01 AM
It's what we all hope for: good health and independence in old age. Loved the pictures!
Posted by: Hattie | December 20, 2011 at 09:10 AM
Beautiful photos Beth. Which one is lichen? I love the first photo. It reminds of jackfruit. I hope I can stay in good health and spirit and live independently when I get to 80's.
Posted by: sitiaishah salim | December 21, 2011 at 01:51 PM