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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Take a Walk in My Backyard

All was silent as before -
All silent save the dripping rain.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


***

Today it rained for much of the early morning. Hard rain. Even thunder and lightning.

The rain and strong wind made the kind of sound so that you were glad it woke you up, and then made you even more grateful that it was still dark outside and you were cozy in your bed, listening.

And then when the clouds cleared, I went out for a walk. In my backyard.

Want to come along?

Actually, I'm teasing a little. This isn't really my backyard. It's Golden Gate Park. But it's close enough to my house to practically be my backyard, so that's what I call it.


My hands and nose were red from the crisp cold air. Everything smelled like eucalyptus, wonderful and fresh.


Leafy puddles everywhere.


Little branches had flown off the trees.


Pools where sidewalks should be.


Today all of the park's squirrels were out en masse. If you stood very still, they would run up to you, almost gaily, as if you were their long lost Uncle Phil, bearing gifts.


And then when they realized you had nothing to give them, they pouted.


But they still let you take their photographs.


Fuzzy pussy-willow like buds floated atop empty branches.
I wondered what they were. If they were coming or going.

But then a few shared their secret with me. I am looking forward to spring.

Bye for now. My boots are muddy and it's time for dinner.

xoxo

24 comments:

will December 25, 2008 at 7:15 PM  

Nice photos, the portfolio grows some more ... GGP is such a grand place for a strolling photographer!

Red Shoes December 25, 2008 at 7:34 PM  

TB, my sweet, you get better all the time. I needed this today. Thank you!

(Especially for the squirrels.)

Cynthia Pittmann December 25, 2008 at 7:43 PM  

Tangobaby, so glad you have recovered from your spam bummer. And what a recovery! I am absolutely enthralled with your morning spring-is-coming-walk -description and photos. I was inspired by your George and Jose posting. I wrote about my own memory with George's "My Sweet Lord" and The Chiffons' "He's So Fine." [I provided a link to your blog.] I've been listening to the Bangladesh concert in NYC (1971)all evening. May you continue to feel spring-is-coming in your heart!

Char December 25, 2008 at 7:50 PM  

a wonderful walk - hope you enjoyed the day, even with the bad weather.

Brook December 26, 2008 at 6:12 AM  

We had blue skies and sunshine the whole day yesterday. A wonderful change from the rain, drizzle, and grey days we've had for the past month. Glad to see Mr. Sun shining down on you too. Puddles are awesome in the sunshine, the reflections they capture and send back to the sky showing you what the world looks like from their perspctive. Lovely!

julochka December 26, 2008 at 6:49 AM  

those are magnolia blossoms, aren't they? beautiful. my walk today looked a little bit different than that.

thank you for sharing yours! :-)

Anonymous December 26, 2008 at 7:42 AM  

The expectant squirrel is too much. We're sharing your weather down here. Stay warm. Have some chicken soup.

Dutchbaby December 26, 2008 at 8:26 AM  

I love that first shot from the De Young - very creative!

Sandra December 26, 2008 at 9:53 AM  

I live in a frozen world, so I thank you for the brief glimpse of your backyard.

Mari December 26, 2008 at 11:19 AM  

Ooh, beautiful beautiful magnolias! I love Golden Gate Park. Do you ever go to the Japanese Tea Garden?

paris parfait December 26, 2008 at 11:27 AM  

Love these photos, especially the one with the pool. Glad you captured these moments with your lens. xoxox

tangobaby December 26, 2008 at 11:47 AM  

@Bill: thanks, and yes, rain or shine, I have to say I'm so fortunate to live near the park for many reasons. It is a grand place. That is the perfect phrase to describe it!

@Red Shoes: I seriously thought that squirrel was going to climb up my leg. Or at least tug on the hem of my pants and say "Hey lady, where's my snack?" I am glad my photos gave you what you needed today. I miss you. xoxo

@Cynthia: This is the third lovely comment you've left for me and I have to tell you that I'm so glad you found me. I'm enjoying your comments and I'm coming to read your George Harrison post asap!

@Char: I actually really love to walk in rain, even storms. But it does make it hard to take photos then, so I was grateful for the respite.

@Brook: Ins't that puddle photo awesome? I just loved seeing the sun, clouds and trees reflected like that. I'm glad you got some sunshine, too.

@julochka: well, by now you know that I'm totally blown away by your photos from your walk. You made Denmark look like a winter wonderland, to be sure. ;-)

@Johanna: Next time, I am bringing some nuts to share. Poor little beggars! Stay warm, too.

@dutchbaby: You are a clever little detective! Even The Boy didn't know what that was!

@Sandra: I'm sure your frozen world is lovely, too, in it's way. I do have to say that SF does spoil a person, though. Today there is not a cloud in the sky,

@Mari: Yes, I do go to the Tea Garden. I have some wonderful photos from there (and more of GG Park) in my flickr page, if you want to take a peek:

http://flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/sets/72157604319966106/

@paris parfait: whenever you're ready to come back for a photowalk, it's you and me, sweetie. xoxo

Brenda Susan December 26, 2008 at 12:15 PM  

Thanks for sharing your beautiful "yard" with us. You captured some wonderful shots, I enjoyed them so much. It's nice & sunny but cold today, so glad I don't live in snow country!

Laura @ My Thoughts-Uninterrupted December 26, 2008 at 12:51 PM  

Those photos are absolutely beautiful!

The Rambler December 26, 2008 at 1:02 PM  

Wow SG, your photos were so beautiful. And the squirrels, what cooperative models :)

christina December 26, 2008 at 1:39 PM  

I am blown away by all this beauty. I just can't help but gawk. I act like this at the art museum too. I won't lie, maybe it's the squirrels. They are so adorable. Nope, I am sure it's the incredible photography.


xxoo

~DokterKenny December 26, 2008 at 2:27 PM  

it was like I was there with you! Thank you for sharing. I love Golden Gate park and it has been too long since I have come back. I need to see the newly remolded museum. maybe just a solo trip..me, myself , and I to explore and contemplate.

sonorossa December 26, 2008 at 8:09 PM  

Lovely photographs! It's fun to see Golden Gate park through your eyes.

Ivy Shaffer December 27, 2008 at 7:42 AM  

Hello,
I popped over from my friend Yoli's blog. Love the photos and poetry. Truly beautiful.

Happy Hannukah from the Jersey Shore,

Ivy

Anonymous December 28, 2008 at 6:55 AM  

your backyard is lovely!

i really liked the pools where sidewalks should be photo. and of course that little squirrel. i cant believe he posed like that, how sweet!

P December 28, 2008 at 2:39 PM  

Gorgeous shots, my dear. I especially love the pool of water with the beautiful reflections...

vsm/whirling dirvish photography December 28, 2008 at 4:07 PM  

Oooh do they make nail polish the color of blue in your last photo? Delicious photography.

Sarah December 30, 2008 at 10:50 AM  

first off, i really enjoy your blog! second, the pictures are beautiful. what a relief from the three feet of snow we have here! lastly, may i ask what kind of camera you're using here?

take care! and thanks for your enjoyable blog!

-sarah

Relyn Lawson December 31, 2008 at 8:37 PM  

What a backyard! Did I tell you that my brother and sister-in-law brought their rescued squirrel with them for Christmas. Norbet had a blast climbing all over us as though we were really odd trees. I thought we might end up with some tears when Norbet launched herself from my shoulder across four feet of garage floor and right onto Sloane's face. I should have known she is made of sterner stuff than that.