Year: 2012 While I was living in Westbrook

Nov 24 On The River

November 24 Two days after Thanksgiving ~  thankful to have another go at the river. Wind fairly heavy in bursts, rippling the water's surface.  Didn't see any other people, birds, fowl or critters. Just  the bare-naked trees.

The water is frosty cold.  So much so that when you first stick your finger in you don't really feel it, then a second or two later the chill is gripping.

The calves of your legs get coldest from being in contact with the bottom of the water-cold kayak, so it shortens the length of your excursions; as does the waning days, since the sun sets so much sooner now.  I try to go at the warmest point of the day, which also tends to be the windiest (early afternoon)

Can't post any more photos on BLOGS, as I've reached my free quota and to post more I'd have to pay.  Maybe I'll go back and delete some.  Or bite the bullet and pay for it.

And THANKS for perusing this blog!!

~C

Still On The River on Veteran's Day!

November 12 2012.  Temps in the 60's.  Back on the Presumpscot.  Encountered 2 men in a canoe, but that was the only human life sharing a paddle on the river. 

Trees are bare. Floating clumps of leaves disappeared.  The water has taken on the color of the leafless trees; a tree-trunk gray hue.  

A Zen story.  

Tao passages. 

Sun setting in the afternoon now, instead of evening.

Oct 27 Deck Dragonflies and Presumpscot

Oct 27 and this ruby-red dragonfly whizzed past my head then landed on the deck edge when I came outside today. Beautiful. 

Presumpscot. Put in at Mallison Falls. River high. Current strong. 

The foliage continues to age daily. 

The reflection is ever-awesome. 

Crow tree. 

Detached, falling leaves. 

Felled leaves. 

Ribbed clouds. 

Oct 25 2012 Presumpscot Again

Definite sparseness to the landscape, drained of color.  Still, there is beauty to autumn.

Leaf shades.   Bronze, tin and copper the color of half-tarnished pennies.

No more crickets cricking.  It's real quiet, excepting the occasional crunching of dry leaves as the occasional squirrel runs between trees; and the caw of crow now and then.  

Muted beauty. 

Daily Tao Passage

Cloudless sky.  Still water. 

The ripening fuller moon. 

Another Tao passage. 

October 24 2012 Part 2 Departure from Saco R

As the sun set 5:45pm'ish the play of light on clouds, water, trees, sky and land was sacred.

View from Pleasant Point Point, where practicing Tai Chi is perfect. 

October 24 2012 Part 1 Arrival -Saco R

The River never loses its fascinating appeal. It is never the same twice.

Pleasant Point. Buxton Maine. Saco River portage site.

The days have shortened appreciably.  I put in at 4:17pm and already the sun is low on the horizon. The clouds this fall have been gorgeous.  Their reflection on the river is mesmerizing. 

 Trees. Trunks. Triffic.

Saw this flip flop floating and snapped the pic.  I love the way it came out, the contrast of the watery cloud/sky reflection mirroring the same color/pattern as the sandal.   

Frog Water-Taxi

Love this shot too. Slanted sunlight as it approaches setting; the calm mirror-surfaced water; the mid-fall copper coloring; the serene balance of sky and earth. 

and of course, what river trek is complete without a Tao passage.