Monday, November 15, 2010

New Fields


People who've read my blog for a long time might remember the many posts I wrote about Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge on the border of Concord and Bedford in Massachusetts.  Mr. Magpie and I used to go for long walks there every week in search of birds and frogs and turtles and other beautiful beasties.


We had come to measure the change of seasons in the height of the cattails and wildflowers, and in the comings and goings of migratory birds.  In spring there were thousands of babies on the marshes, cygnets, ducklings, goslings, and countless others. Come autumn the whole basin was a rustling shudder of reeds and water edged by evergreens and vines whose berries ripened to bursting before the first snowfall.  And when it came, it was as if the frosted path before us were laced with tiny drops of blood pricked from the fingers of fairy tale queens. 


Now we are finding new fields to wander.  This one, Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, Maine, is fast becoming a favorite.  I took these photos there over the weekend as we walked through meadows overlooking the Presumpscot River estuary.  Run by Maine Audubon, it is just the place to watch for hawks on a cold November day.



And this is how we often walk, he just ahead with binoculars in hand, on the lookout for a bird in the reeds or a Cooper's hawk circling above, and then there's me lagging behind, stopping to examine the hips of wild roses or a stand of particularly lovely evergreens. Afterwards, there's talk and tea and amazement at all each of us saw and each of us missed, and the promise in a day or two to take another walk just like this.

18 comments:

  1. I'm mesmerized by just the idea of this, let alone actually being able to walk the walk.

    What fortune shines upon you.....

    xxx
    z

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  2. Great pics! I especially love that last one... I love sneaking pics like that too. :)

    xo,nicolette

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  3. now,that is a perfect day...I do love the images.
    and the idea of doing it again.....

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  4. that sounds like how i live, right down to the tea at the end.....absolutely beautiful !

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  5. Gorgeous walk in nature. The berries in your picture especially delighted me. Yes, often when we go walking we see different things and he has the binoculars too. Sharing and tea afterward are both wonderful!

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  6. Thank you for taking us with you. lovely shots (as always) and I especially enjoyed the last one, with the explanation of how you often walk and the joys of sharing after!

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  7. so beautifully written, such beautiful images in both words and photos. terribly terribly beautiful, with perfect phrases & sentences & bits & bobs taking me by the heart. this phrase: We had come to measure the change of seasons in the height of the cattails and wildflowers . . . took my breath away, made me want to be there. made me promise to myself to try to embrace this new season more fully. loved this very much.

    xo
    Debi

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  8. for a while i lived in massachusetts and i well remember the beauty that you talk of. i remember new england in the fall, how could anyhow forget. your words make me feel a touch of nostalgia as i sit here on this cool and rainy tanzania morning...also beautiful, but in such a different way

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  9. You've found such a lovely place to live, Gigi, with nature like this near you. My mental image of Maine gets better almost with your every post.

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  10. Oh, I love such days with walks, talk and tea and amazement! So happy your are find new walks to explore... and that you take us along with you. :o) We travel to the US on Friday to be with family for Thanksgiving and celebrate birthdays--very excited! I hope to post/visit more before we leave. Happy Days, my friend ((BIG HUGS))

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  11. I remember your walks in Great Meadows well...it was what drew me into your blog before I fell in love with your words...Your photos linked me to you as you captured the same things I noticed and loved on walks. I am sure to love going on walks with you in Maine as much as in Mass...

    Mr O and I have similar habits...and I have many, many pictures of his back...but we will often end our walks with a nice glass of wine:)

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  12. These timeless images have set me to remembering. And planning. Planning hikes for our family. Just as soon as Sloane is better. She has strep and an ear infection. YUCK!

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  13. You've captured the light of these hike so beautifully - a joy to visit!

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  14. Thanks for letting me tag along
    on this nourishing tramp.
    -Jennifer

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  15. So beautiful and just the other day my husband mentioned that we haven't walked at the Maine Audubon in such a long time (many years now!)
    Quite a few years ago we saw a very beautiful little saw whet owl there and it was so magical!
    It was the year we saw 5 different owls in Maine and we haven't seen any since!

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  16. These images and the words make me want to pull on my hiking boots and head right out the door - how wonderful!

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  17. There is a place close to my home called Rithet's Bog...your lovely photos and thoughtful words remind me of this place I love to wander. I haven't been there in a while. It's funny how sometimes, the places so close to us often get overlooked. You have inspired me to take a walk through there again...it is so beautiful there this time of year...earthy tones and scents, and a rich quietness that I so crave.

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  18. Lovely, rich beyond dreams...to have that time with one you love, over tea and talk...

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