Friday, November 04, 2011

Float With Me


If you have never been in a canoe or are not a type to head outdoors in an early morning fog, come let me share my recent morning with you as you sit safely in your easy chair at home under the warm glow of the computer screen.  If, alternately, you love something like this, I am thrilled to share with you my most recent outdoor adventure in photos.

There is nothing quite like that effortless feel as a canoe floats away from its tether at the dock and your first paddle stroke breaks the smooth glassy surface of the silver water picking up speed.  (A description on the intricacies of getting in and out  of a floating canoe with an injury is for my other blog.)   The fog had settled on the river over the night and a very gentle breeze was just beginning to push it away in soft misty drifts.  The sun was hidden behind heavy moisture, but soon would burn its way warmly over head.


I felt as if we had been surrounded by a soft white comforter and we were trying to find our way across toward the open light.  It was not quiet as bird song did begin to pierce the cover of moisture letting us know they were awake and also thinking about the start of the day.  The air was cool but layered clothing kept us comfortable.  The fog re-painted the river and we saw everything with new eyes as we carefully set direction.  Large shadows melted into trees along the shoreline and sharp items became boats at dock.


By the time we reached the open area into the river, the fog was beginning to pull away and formed a wall against the bank on the far side.  It looked so gray against the blue sky.  Fog was drifting without wind as you can see from the mirror of the water's surface; there was just a slight breeze.  It is mid-fall and few boats were visibly moving at this finger of the river.  



Our tourist geese were beginning their shopping trip to the nearby corn fields and were magnificent in flight if not quiet as they flew off the water just ahead of us.


These few stragglers were certainly surprised at our quiet appearance as we passed the corner of this marshy island.  It did not take them long to paddle quickly until they got speed and also took flight.


The fog cleared just as we entered the wider part of the river where motor boats could have been a challenge.  We saw some lovely fall colors, sea gulls diving for fish, bald eagles, marsh wrens and sun.  But that will have to wait for another post.

17 comments:

  1. What an ethereal voyage, I am so smitten with envy and gratitude for your pictures and story.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fog usually brings to my mind something eerie or ominous. This post however now has me thinking of being wrapped in a soft white cloud. Beautiful drifting journey from your thoughts to mine.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How beautiful.
    Your gift of words and images
    this early morning - make me
    feel as though I have been with you.
    Thank you...

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a stunning journey, and I am in awe of your adventurous spirit - I am guessing you rose at the break of dawn to embark on this wonderful trip. The beautiful photographs say it all, we should all take a leaf from your book, and go that extra effort - the rewards are obvious.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tabor, thank you for this beautiful early morning excursion. Your photos and words absorbed me. I love a canoe and miss not being able to have one on the ocean. Thank you for sharing.
    Smiles

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your photos are stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice photos Tabor. Fog is great for enhancing early morning scenes huh? - Dave

    ReplyDelete
  8. My goodness this is wonderful, and what beautiful photos. I have been canoeing a couple of times, once on the backwaters of the Thames on a perfect day and once in an Ontario lake in the fall, and both of them were radiant in their own way. I hope to do some more.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You recreate the sensations with uncanny accuracy. I can feel the silky water now.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the splendid early morning ride - your words and the journey were one and the same.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gorgeous! I'm glad you shared these visions.

    ReplyDelete
  12. These photos are absolutely beautiful...worthy of framing, I think. I enjoyed following along with your narrative, too...a very pleasant journey!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just beautiful photos!!!! So peaceful and lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Poetry in pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Perfection, absolute perfection, Tabor....

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous7:13 AM

    Wow - these shots are just amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. nice...this is a lovely ride in the morning...i love the fog...great pics to capture it...

    ReplyDelete

Glad to hear from you once again. I really like these visits. Come sit on this log and tell me what you are thinking.