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| Tod Inlet, taken just before dusk |
After dinner is eaten and the dishes done, one of us suggests a walk. Sometimes it happens right away; other times we wait until 9 pm or so.
I put on a loose hat, mostly so that my hair won't frizz too badly. We check the thermometer and decide if we need gloves, or not. The hour is of little concern, for no matter the time, we'll step out into darkness.
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| Island View Beach, early morning |
Down the hill, turn left and then veer onto one of three route possibilities. We rarely meet anyone, occasionally someone is walking his dog and we exchange greetings with puffs of visible air.
Through the woods we go, talking quietly or not at all. The trees loom dark and high against the path. Oddly, visibility is best on cloudy nights when the city lights reflect back down to earth. On clear nights we look up at the stars and are careful with our feet to prevent stumbling over roots and rocks.
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| November full moon |
Now on quiet streets where houses nestle into Christmas Hill. From the woods on the hill pours a soft and liquid, "Whoo-hoo. Who-whoo." We stop, entranced. Again, "Whoo-hoo. Who-whoo." We walk on, lingering, aching to hear more.
A few seconds later, "Whoo-hoo. Who-whooo." A quick swoop of wings in the dark and then another call from a different tree. "Whoo-hoo. Who-whoo." The last time.
Hands and ears begin to feel the cold. We walk home, open the door and are greeted by a rush of warmth and the flicker of the fire.
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I really love these photos Lorrie. Walking in the evenings sounds pleasant - not much traffic to be bothered by, quiet and peaceful as most people are indoors at this time of year at night.
ReplyDeleteToo cold here to walk - I just popped down to collect the mail - he came so late today - and although no wind it was freezing! Perhaps a little snow tomorrow early evening - but hopefully not! We are due to meet our daughter and SIL for dinner at the mall - but won't go if there's a storm, better off staying home by the fire!
Hugs - Mary
What a beautiful walk that must have been. I could follow it, going along with you in the crisp evening.
ReplyDeleteThere is an owl that sits in the very tall fir behind our house. It is always a thrill to see him/her. I hear both owls and eagles near our new-old house. The calls come at different times of day, but they are equally thrilling.
What a wonderful walk - I can feel the aching to hear more of the owl's song. We often hear one in the night, and whoever hears it will wake the other so we can lie there - barely breathing - waiting for the next call. Sometimes there are two who will do a duet for us. Your photos are lovely and make the description of the walk even better.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and delightful narrative has me longing for a moonlight stroll. Alas, this single lady does not venture out alone. One can dream.
ReplyDeleteI love owls and have only seen a few near our home. Would love to hear the whoo whoo like you hear on your walks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures you have shared with us today.
I love my walk with you
ReplyDeleteI wish I can hear mr.owl every night :)
Lovely description! The grasses, branches, bracken forming artworks against the glimmering twilight...irresistible. You put me to shame,Lorrie ~ I haven't ventured out after dinner AT ALL this January...perhaps we have dinner later than you!!(my excuse ; ))
ReplyDeleteI love dawn and dusk, special times of romance and spiritual illumination.
Hearing an owl adds a touch of magic, too.
What a great walk, with the added bonus of hearing the owl.
ReplyDeleteEvening walks in France used to be part of our life, down the lanes and into the edge of the village, with sometimes a stop for coffee at the local bar. The owl must have been wonderful to glimpse.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab walk, the first picture is fab with all the frost. Enjoy your dayx
ReplyDeletethank you for bringing us on such a beautiful walk,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful evening walk, Lorrie! Your words and photos are really beautiful, as always.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
What a delightfully worded description of your evening stroll. It almost felt like I was walking along with you :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine habit to get into. Certainly stimulating in so many ways, and I bet you sleep pretty well, too.
ReplyDeleteA lovely habit for nurturing simple romance in a marriage! I love that top photo of the clematis seedheads..
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delightful and how exciting to hear and 'feel' the owl fly overhead. A real one. :)
ReplyDeleteWe do the same. If it rains, we take an umbrella and huddle close under it. It always feels good to get back and I'm always glad we ventured out, even in the dark.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice description of beauty found in the dark with the night sounds.
What a lovely night song! I haven't heard one in a while. In the fall, I would hear two different ones hooting at each other back and forth. Such fun!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have beautiful places to walk. Such a beautiful moon shot!
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying doing more walking lately, but I usually walk during the day, yesterday though I was walking home from a meeting in the early evening and it was very nice and made a real change. So I can appreciate why you like your evenings walks so much! Glad that you have been enjoying them! xx
ReplyDeleteI love the moon!
ReplyDeleteYour description of your walk is wonderful.
Deanna
Loved that description. You must live in a safe community. I am glad! (I would no more dare take a walk after dark than I'd like to take one down a dark alley in NYC.)
ReplyDeleteI'm envious of your walks Lorrie, we don't venture out much in the winter for ours but I'm looking forward to spring to begin again.
ReplyDeleteThe sound of the owls and then back home to a cheery fire is romantic.
Now that is a lovely walk. Your evening walks bring back such lovely memories of our trip to Victoria and watching the sun set over the water.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, that sounds like a grand thing to do in the evening! I'd have to put something on my head to keep my ears warm and keep my hair from frizzing (or "getting big," as I call it).
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