This past year, the fall, like the prior two seasons, achieved near perfection in weather and sensory excitement. At the height of color season, I enjoyed the visit of long-time friends through a weekend and, more than once, we enjoyed walking several laps around the pond as we caught up on the status of each others’ lives and thoughts. As we walked, one friend’s eyes worked in a way different than mine. While I tend to look toward the pond and sky, she kept her eyes just ahead of her feet. I suspect she did this for just the purpose she achieved – to avoid stepping on a creature. Thanks to her watchfulness, I have these two photos to share, and neither reptile was crushed by our step. Walking with her has inspired me to cast my eyes to the ground more often.

The seasons shed new light and cause different framing to almost any view of the pond. Here, the variations of color, visual texture, and depth caught my eye, at a place along the walk that, through other seasons, I might pass without notice.


Often I have wondered, as I look at reflections on the pond, if the term ‘water color’, used as a description of an art form, was inspired by the image reflected in the lower half of the photo below – after the method of painting was established. Or, did an artist see what this picture shows, and, using water mixed with color, try to recreate water color.

As the days shortened, the colors dulled, and the leaves fell to the ground. Then, on came the winter.