The Storm – Before and After

Posted By on January 17, 2016

Early this morning the birds twittered, the squirrels chattered, and the water rocked the fallen leaves gently, gently.

The little birds were active and noisy. The waders were missing: no egrets or herons, no ibises. Then the wind came. The bright blue sky amid the high light clouds swiftly overtaken by thick clouds, dark clouds.

Hydrangea in the front yard, taking on its true blue color.
Hydrangea in the front yard, growing into its true blue color, rather than this slightly purple hue.
The starting storm blowing in.
The starting storm.
Blue sky slowly giving way to storm clouds.
Blue sky slowly giving way to storm clouds.
Storm clouds blowing in from the west
Storm clouds blowing in from the west

Then the birds were silent for a bit, the squirrels were motionless and all that could be heard was the rush of wind. The temperature fell and the sun darkened.

I think this guy was guarding his nest or moving babies to one of the backup nests, which I understand they build
This alert squirrel, captured against a morning sky completely covered by storm clouds. Before the storm he moved busily among the branches. I think he was safeguarding the nest.

Dark skies, clear skies, dark skies, clear skies. The storm would come with violent gusts of winds and a hidden sky, followed by bright sunlight glinting off the water, amid luscious fall-colored leaves taken down by the wind.

Maple leaf on the water, in the afternoon sun.
Maple leaf on the water, in the afternoon sun

By afternoon, the storm had passed, the temperature had fallen, but the backyard was renewed. Fresh, sharp air and bright blue skies again.

Reflection after the storm passed.
Beautiful reflection after the storm passed.

Blue suggested we take a canoe ride.

Traveling on the waterway by canoe
Traveling on the waterway by canoe.

Apart from the discomfort of sitting in a crouch, it was a great excursion. We tracked and hunted a Belted Kingfisher. He cleverly kept his eye on us, going just out of range, and posing among the naked trees.

Kingfisher keeping an eye out after repeatedly outrunning us.
Kingfisher keeping an eye out after repeatedly outrunning us.
Flock of white Ibis with a brown colored juvenile.
Flock of white Ibis with a brown colored juvenile.

Then, surprisingly, a bright orange globe, high in the trees, near the bank. Wait, no not one, two. And here, lower down, still more. Oranges! Well, it turns out these were tangerines. Delicious, fragrant, wild fruit. We docked the canoe, and Blue went over and picked two.

Tangerine picked from a tree with about half a dozen. Surprisingly tall tree.
Picked from a tree with about a half a dozen. Surprisingly tall tree.
Delicious
Hmmmmm. Delicious
  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
  • Taken: 17 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 4.3mm
  • ISO: 80
  • Shutter speed: 1/50s