The river had been frozen for weeks. This was unusual as the last time this river froze at all, according to our neighbors, was about 8 years ago. It would thaw a little in the day and then refreeze with each cold night.
It was beautiful and tragic.
Why tragic you may ask?
The geese (those noisy and large numbered invaders) have to shelter in the wider parts of the river and the more open spaces in the marsh further out. They have to shelter near the duck blinds that man has so carefully created. They cannot make it to the safety of our little finger of the river and freely make their noises and still be safely tucked away from the damage of guns.
This is a nice time for photographers who like the sparse gray of the land and this is also a good time for hunters.
As usual these are stunning photos Tabor.
ReplyDeleteI feel for these birds not being able to have a fair chance at getting away from the guns, but I guess that is why I am a vegetarian, I just cant stand the thought of anything being hurt <3
Where you live is just gorgeous.
xxsm
Beautiful photos - but made me chilly looking at them.
ReplyDeleteI am always afraid the ducks on the pond will not be able to move.
They they will freeze as the ice forms.
I love that second photo, Tabor.
ReplyDeleteClimate change is a funny thing. It seems we're getting more extreme periods on both ends of the scale (with an overall trend toward warming). It's hard to see the big picture for all the short-term variations!
Climate change is a strange thing for sure, Tabor. Some areas of the country out west are experiencing a milder winter --and we are having a colder one. I'm sure there are patterns to follow --and I'm sure that these climate changes will continue to puzzle all of us. BUT--in my heart of hearts, I do NOT believe at all in Global Warming. I think that Al Gore is just out to make more money for HIMSELF... ha
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
That is tragic. I guess you're hearing that hunting occur. Sure is a lovely area though. That first photo is stunning.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful, but lately I can't look at them without shivering.
ReplyDeleteI personally would prefer global warming occur more in January and February and less in June, July & August.
ditto what bob said...
ReplyDeletethe photos are beautiful, and the thoughts are so sadly true...
beautiful pics. i am ready for a little warm myself...freezing rain and sleet right now...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe first photo especially.
I have very mixed feeling on hunting - though I would never do it myself.
Those poor geese! If the hawks don't get them, the hunters will.
ReplyDeleteAs one who grew up on game (my dad could not find work for a time and had to hunt to feed us), I know both sides of the story. He was part Native American and had a reverence for living things that gave their lives so we could have ours.
As for weather, I can see how humans affect it every day with our smoke and aerosols, our car emissions and factory slag, our insistence on cutting millions of trees so we can raise more cattle. We can't live without affecting our surroundings, sometimes in good ways, sometimes in very negative ones. It's time we took full responsibility for what we do.
It is difficult to know what is and what is not down to climate change. The whole matter is so entangled with variables of all sorts, but this is a beautiful post that I would have thought cannot fail to deepen interest in it.
ReplyDeleteThe post and the pictures are chillingly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can add a new reason to my list for being glad I've recently become a vegetarian.
That us a poignant perspective. It's remarkable how a single landscape can look so different to the various beings that inhabit it.
ReplyDeleteIt does look beautiful in your photos, Tabor - wonder if it used to freeze there 20 or 30 or 40 years ago? Were these geese even around then? It may be a personal tragedy for a given goose, but if they really are invasive and numerous, couldn't a few less geese be beneficial for other creatures?
ReplyDeleteAnnie at the Transplantable Rose