Standing Into Danger: Thanksgiving Along Piney Creek

Friday, November 23, 2018

Thanksgiving Along Piney Creek

If you celebrated American Thanksgiving yesterday,
I hope you had a happy time.

It's one of my favorite holidays,
because it's a time to spend with family and friends,
a time to be grateful for all that is good in life,
and a time to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast.

Mule Deer Buck

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

We've shared many Thanksgivings over the past thirty years
with our close friends Cheri and Gary, their son Jeff,
and one, two, or three of our nieces and nephews.

The kids have grown and scattered,
so it was just we four celebrating yesterday;
and we went for a family style dinner at Maggianos,
an Italian restaurant that we all enjoy.

So, of course, in addition to turkey and all the trimmings,
Maggianos offered a tempting array of pastas:
a groaning board for sure, and boxes of leftovers to take home.

Hawk High Overhead

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

We each had a strategy to shed some of the calories we consumed at this feast.
Gary and Cheri planned a long walk with their Shih Tzu, Sam.
Terry played a fast round of pickleball with friends in the chilly mid-morning air,
and I meandered with my camera along Piney Creek once we returned from Maggianos.

Our Thanksgiving day was cool and cloudy,
not the best circumstance in which to go hunting with my camera.
A cloudy late November day colors the high prairie spaces
with dull browns, grays, and faded yellows.

Icy Pond and Reflections

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Nevertheless, I layered up with warm clothes and headed down to the creek,

grateful for the gifts of unstructured time and peaceful solitude.

At first the riparian area seemed drab and lifeless

with its sere vegetation, splotchy patches of snow,

stripped stands of cottonwoods, and slow waters.

Dead Cottonwood Leaves, Horsetails, and Grasses

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Gone to Seed

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Remnants of Snow

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Stripped Cottonwoods

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

A Small Pool Along Piney Creek

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

But as I jumped the creek and wandered from the path,

I heard the soft twitters of birds in the cottonwoods
and spotted big ears in bleached gold thickets.

Birds Among Cottonwood Branches

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

A Mule Deer Buck and Doe

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

It is a joy to lean against a corrugated cottonwood, close my eyes,
and hear whispered conversations among the birds gathered in its branches;
then to open them and see muleys motionless in the underbrush,
their outsized ears swiveled toward me, their dark eyes fixed on me.

Although the world around me has faded to muted colors,
it is vibrant with rich textures:
sawtoothed leaves, layered or fluffy bullrushes,
billowing rabbitbrush, and pocked skims of ice on smooth water.

Ridged Cottonwood Trunks

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Cottonwoods in a Puddle

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Weathered Bullrushes

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Billowing Rabbitbrush

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

A Skim of Pocked Ice

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I see more than thick limbs,

withered leaves, slender branches, and winter buds against a steely sky;

I catch a scamper of fur racing along dark, heavy highways:
an energetic squirrel patrolling its territory and adding food to its caches.

A Speedy Fox Squirrel

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

As I ramble throughout the long, narrow open space along Piney Creek,
the sun lowers beneath the cover of cloud,
burnishing small shrubs and washing the landscape with gold and ruddy tones.

Lowering Sun

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Sun-Silvered Shrubs

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Magical Light Brightens the Landscape

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Following a tip from a fellow walker,
I round a corner and find what I have been seeking:
a herd of deer browsing among dry grasses, brushes, and milkweed.

Thanksgiving Feast

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Mule Deer Buck

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

A Muley Doe Browsing

in a Wild Wetland Meadow

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

A Milkweed Pod

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

I turn and backtrack for home, refreshed by a quiet walk on the wild side.

We're Watching You!

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

A Female Red-winged Blackbird

Among the Bullrushes

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

Magic Moments for an Amateur Photographer

Aurora Open Space, Colorado

November 22, 2018

For Map Lovers Like Me:

Location of Aurora, Colorado, USA

Wikimedia

The Open Space Along Piney Creek

Where I Often Walk

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Aurora Open Space Along Piney Creek

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24 comments:

Pat HattNovember 23, 2018 at 3:38 PM
You sure got some great shots, ignoring the snow though lol we got it everywhere here. The deer weren't taking their eyes of you. Except for the one chowing down, guess for was more important than a stalker err umm walker with a camera haha That squirrel was sure on the go. The stripped cottonwoods look like they could work for a horror movie, or world ending one. A fine walk indeed, hopefully you worked off your feast. May not count though if you chowed down on any leftovers you took home later haha
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Nancy JNovember 23, 2018 at 6:49 PM
Magic Moments, what beautiful colours there.We did not celebrate down here, had lunch with a dear friend, and reflected on good times together.
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MarthaNovember 23, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Lovely shots, Louise! No matter the time of year, there is always beauty to be found. This is especially true for people who enjoy photography :) In the late autumn, the colours may fade but that's precisely when we notice the textures and shapes, and everything else hidden by leaves and bushes and vibrant colours. The world is amazing year round. We just need to stop and pay attention!
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AdamNovember 23, 2018 at 9:42 PM
Our weather tonight had rain that looked like it was trying to be snow but it wasn't cold enough yet. It was rather odd.
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L. Diane WolfeNovember 24, 2018 at 7:21 AM
Look at all the mule deer! Beautiful shots of them and the area. I love all the texture.

No snow here. Probably not until January or February.
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WordsPoeticallyWorthNovember 24, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Greetings Louise. It looks like you enjoyed the wildlife your walk had to offer. Piney Creek looks like a nice place to enjoy a quiet stroll. My Sadie sadly chases Squirrels, they are always faster than her though! Your shots reminded me of when I used to live Down South, which had deer roaming in the area - a nice place. Glad you enjoyed your walk. We've had frost here but as of yet no snow. Blessings. Love love, Andrew.
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Debra She Who SeeksNovember 24, 2018 at 11:41 AM
You took some amazing shots there, Louise! An austere colour palette, but a beautiful one.
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Rain November 24, 2018 at 2:46 PM
Hi Louise! :) I love those deer photos, and the cottonwoods...oh how I love those craggly looking trees!!! I always love a good traditional Thanksgiving dinner. :)
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AdamNovember 24, 2018 at 5:04 PM
Check your email, I sent you something.
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Magic Love CrowNovember 27, 2018 at 5:20 PM
Thank you for such a beautiful post Louise! Truly enjoyed it! So happy you had a great Thanksgiving! Big Hugs!
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bailiNovember 29, 2018 at 11:34 PM
I am glad that you had peaceful walk in you beautiful serene surroundings with your hubby dear Louise!

thank you for sharing the glimpse of your wonderful area which seems completely wintered these days !

either i enjoy listening the birds chatting so much :)
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SandiNovember 30, 2018 at 5:41 AM
It looks so chilly and withered... but spring is coming!
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Sparq SpaceFebruary 3, 2019 at 9:57 PM
nice blog. thanks for sharing
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