PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE
Squirrel Race
Week ten of the photographic documentary of my daily life
I’m spending more and more time in the forest. The busy season is over and it’s getting quiet at work. That means more free time. Time for myself. Time for taking photographs. And time for being in nature.
This is the 10th week of the photography challenge started by Dennett. As you can see I really found pleasure in taking part in the challenge. But I don’t just enjoy taking these photographs and making a post out of them. I also love reading and seeing the pictures of other writers who joined the fun.
The week started out with a few misty mornings. The haze above the valley made every morning look special. It cleared up during the day but didn’t get really warm anymore. It’s obvious. October has begun.
The following days the mornings looked much darker. Clouds were joining the morning haze and never lifted. The sun doesn’t have the strength anymore to burn it all off. The beginning of a cold and wet season.
That doesn’t stop me from going for a walk every now and then. The forest has begun to change its dress. The first leaves are turning yellow and then brown. Soon, the entire forest will shine in the brightest colors.
Always looking for some wildlife in nature I don’t get them in front of the lens that often. Especially squirrels fascinate me. Yet, they are so incredibly shy here. If you see a squirrel it’s usually already up on the tree before you can even think of taking a picture.
Not today. We’re about to leave the forest when my partner points at a tree. A loud rustling sound appears from the same direction. Then I see them. Two squirrels are chasing each other across the forest soil, around the tree, and up another one.
I love watching them. They don’t seem to care about us. Yet they move so fast it’s nearly impossible taking a shot. Within split seconds they’ve run three times around the tree stem. It’s hilarious. I would love to know why they are chasing each other. If one of them is a thief? And maybe stole a nut from the other one.
Bad weather doesn’t stop us from making a fire. Once a week we have a barbecue. Disregarding of the surroundings. It started to rain just before I wanted to start. I just waited a bit and as it got less I made the fire.
I used lots of wood in order to get enough coals in case the rain gets stronger again. Enough coals to make food for the two of us. I enjoy making food on the fire. It’s rather basic yet so delicious.
Finally, I get to see the chicken which I can hear every morning. In the center of the village is a house with a big garden. And that’s where they are running around. A few happy free-range chickens.
It is definitely time for my winter shoes. The floor is almost every day wet due to mist or rain. For the walks in the forest that is what I need. Dry feet and a good grip on the slippery roots and rocks.
On my walks, through the empty streets of this small mountain village, I have realized that the colors vanished. Mostly. Now and then some bright flowers are blooming. Don’t you call them late-bloomers? I think so.
There’s nothing wrong about being a late bloomer. You’ve collected a lot of experience over the seasons and once the others have vanished you can show off your beauty with barely any competition.
This has been my week. Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed it have a look at the past weeks too.
