in the woods // spring

The wood is decked in light green leaf.
The swallow twitters in delight.
The lonely vine sheds joyous tears
Of interwoven dew and light.


— from “Spring” by Ilia Chavchavadze

Today was the first time I’ve been out in the woods since I tried to make a go of it about a month ago (I had to turn back last time because it was just too muddy). Words, and even these pictures, cannot truly convey the way in which the woods is simply aglow with new green leaves. After I dropped Zane off at preschool, I decided to take a walk around the pond by myself. I am so glad that I did because it was exactly the right moment in time to see the wakerobins,Trillium, in bloom — they are the gorgeous three-petaled red flowers below. My goodness, they are beautiful! (But, don’t pick them because picking even parts of the plant can kill it, and in some places picking them is illegal.) I also saw a rose-breasted grosbeak, some trout lillies,Erythronium, and some wild oats,Uvularia sessilifolia. On top of all of that, the morning light was just amazing. The whole experience made me want to sing the Doxology at the top of my lungs, though the local wildlife might have found that a bit overwhelming so I just hummed it quietly to myself instead.

in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring
in the woods // spring

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in the woods // last day of summer

Happy we who can bask in this warm September sun, which illumines all creatures, as well when they rest as when they toil, not without a feeling of gratitude…

— Henry David Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers (1849)

The title of this post seems a little misleading, given the preponderance of colorful foliage herein. But, today it is still (technically) “summer.” Though I’m not entirely despairing, I do feel a little bit as if I’m not quite ready to let it go. The weather was so mild this year, it almost feels as if we were cheated out of a proper summer; I said almost, okay? So, despite his having a nasty cold virus, Zane and I took a little walk in the woods just to revel in summer’s last moments. (I think we might have made contact with some poison ivy, so that sours the whole thing a bit, but we’ll have to wait and see if either of us have a reaction.)

in the woods // last day of summer 1
in the woods collage
in the woods // last day of summer 2
in the woods // last day of summer 3
in the woods // last day of summer 4
in the woods // last day of summer 5
in the woods // last day of summer 6
in the woods // last day of summer 7
berry collage
in the woods // last day of summer 8
in the woods // last day of summer 9
in the woods // last day of summer 11
in the woods // last day of summer 10
corn collage
in the woods // last day of summer 12

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a walk in the woods

From “Dear March – Come in -” by Emily Dickinson:

Dear March – Come in –
How glad I am –
I hoped for you before –
Put down your Hat –
You must have walked –
How out of Breath you are –

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

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in the woods // winter

Dear March – Come in –
How glad I am –
I hoped for you before –
Put down your Hat –
You must have walked –
How out of Breath you are –

— from “Dear March – Come in -” by Emily Dickinson

Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH
Mill Pond Trail, Walpole, NH

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