“Teach me to go to the country beyond words and beyond names.” ~ Thomas Merton
After participating in the photography challenge in August, I was inspired to move beyond my comfort zone and branch out with my camera. Not so much with moving off the auto button….that will come in time and with practice….but to move to different spots, and explore them with camera in hand.
In my Seasonal Celebrations post, on my gardening blog, I talk about what I want to focus on each season. For autumn, I want to take in more of the world around me. With surgery side-lining me last year, and an injury this summer, I am anxious to break out and explore…take a few field trips.
So I am starting a new series, that I hope will be monthly, called Beyond Words. I want to showcase different spots I find in pictures, with as few words as possible….not easy for me as I love to talk and write.
For the first field trip I didn’t have to venture far from home. Just a 10 minute walk across the street to the lake…Oneida Lake. It is an amazing spot, that I will talk more about later. It was a perfect time to explore the lake. When we visited, the beach had just closed a few weeks earlier in late August. So let’s see what’s happening, at the lake…..
As you can see in the top picture and here, I made a beeline for the beach. As it is not getting a daily cleaning from all the bird poo, I chose to wear shoes. This lake is considered a top fishing spot.
It is shallow enough near the shore, that you can even walk right out and fish.
The beach was littered with gull feathers still glistening with mid-morning dew.
I loved this end-of-the-summer beach statement someone left. You never know what you will find at the beach. As a matter of fact, I did have one very big surprise….
Monarchs! They were all over the beach, which is starting to grow grass and other plant life, as it is not groomed now that the swimmers are gone. I wasn’t sure if they were getting moisture from the wet sand or the goose poo.
I am joining Anna@ The Transmutational Garden for her Butterfly Bucket List meme the 4th Sunday of the month.
The water’s edge was a bit mucky, in areas, with grass, plant material and algae washing ashore.
The picnic area was very quiet with no one around. A perfect spot to sit and relax even if there is a nip in the air. I think perhaps we will bring a picnic lunch here in the future.
One last look as we turned to go. I hope you enjoyed our little excursion, to the lake, at the end of summer.
I am linking in with the I Heart Macro meme hosted by Laura@Shine The Divine that happens every Saturday, with Judith@Lavender Cottage who hosts Mosaic Monday, and with Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) photo linkup party at image-in-ing.
If you enjoy reading this blog, I welcome you to share it with others. I enjoy spreading the blog love, and I appreciate all who come and read my blogs.
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Special Note: Oneida Lake is the largest lake entirely within New York State. It has a surface area of 79.8 square miles, and is located northeast of Syracuse and near the Great Lakes. There are several parks, marinas and beaches along this lake that spans several counties.
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I leave you with a few additional thoughts about lakes and life. I welcome you to download the photo and share it.
All other photos and original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Living From Happiness, 2014-2015. Any reprints or use of other photos or content is by permission only.
Beautiful – and inspirational.
Thank you.
I do so appreciate your kind words Soosie!
Very beautiful, soothing images. The butterflies look gorgeous.
Have a lovely October!
Thanks so much Sara! Enjoy your October.
How wonderful to have this lake so close by! You should find a spot and photograph it at various times of the year…seasons…weather…always the same spot. Would be interesting! Like the “Beyond Words!”
That was a thought I had Robin…still looking for the spot. Glad you enjoyed the lake views.
A perfect place to connect!…:)JP
Absolutely!!
So much to see there and yet so peaceful and serene, at least as experienced in the quiet of the photographed world. I’m delighted to see your discovery – I’m reading early reports on migrating numbers of monarch butterflies are encouraging and this seems to confirm they are on the move. Little intrepid travelers. I’m looking forward to more shared discoveries.
Many of the monarchs were in my garden too in September….now they are on their way to you!
Beautiful. It feels like you can taste peace here as long as you’re not too trouble by the poo on the beach! That might do me in.
Oh you know nature Sandra…once many of the birds have gone it won’t be too bad.
These are so wonderful and for me, the feather and butterfly are breath taking!! Thank you!
With the quiet surroundings, it is amazing what we can see in the moment…thank you Hannah!
Thanks Donna! I find that I just love experiencing different parts of the U.S. this way–well, the world actually. Even though I’ve traveled a whole lot, I love to see new places from the eyes of those who know it so well, who call it HOME. You have a really lovely lake near you-=-what a gift! My husband would be down there fishing every day. Just lovely.
It is a fisherman’s heaven…right now in the AM the local duck hunters are on it….the noise wakens me at sun up! But as you say it is a gift for me and the critters who call it home.
The lake looks like a wonderful place to spend time — and makes me realize I should take more advantage of the state park just a couple of miles down the road from my house. The unexpected sighting of monarchs was magical.
I am trying to reconnect with my local spots in retirement…those I missed with working such long hours….enjoy your local park Jean!
Hello, Donna.
There is so much to find at the beach.So refreshing and peaceful! What a beautiful feather with drops.Your mosaic are lovelyl.
The second mosaic photo reminds me of the great and artistic movie I watched many years ago” A River Runs Through It”.
Have a good weekend.
I just saw that movie again recently….thank you for your kind words!
oh, what a lovely place to escape to. and how lucky you are to live so close!
i look forward to checking in on more of your adventures! 🙂
Thanks so much Stacy…I do feel lucky!
It’s beautiful there, and frankly more beautiful with less visitors to me….I love going out of season to these places. I think that you end up getting to see more of them with less people dotting the landscape, LOL.
Gorgeous shots Donna, such a beautiful spot.
Jen
Thanks so much Jen and I appreciate the compliment and I hope to visit the lake often in the off season!
What a lovely post. It does you good to get out and look at the world doesn’t it? The lake sure looks beautiful and it seems like you took time to soak up the atmosphere and look at the details too. Thanks for sharing. Gillian
How exciting to see all the monarchs, likely gathering moisture from the sand.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.
I’m so glad you’re going to be exploring more with your camera, Donna! It’s purely selfish on my part–I just want to see more of that beautiful Finger Lakes area through your eyes. 🙂 The water is extra-beautiful under those clear, autumn skies. Enjoy your field trips!
I hope in the future I can give you some wonderful views of those amazing Finger Lakes…I’ll keep it in mind as we plan some trips in the coming year.