A Walk Through The Woods

I went on a walk through the woods this afternoon to take pictures of the ice and snow for my photoblog Views From A Small Town. I about waited too long, and the ice was crashing down all around me as it began melting off the trees. I looped my Nikon around my neck and took off. I made the erroneous decision not to take my wide-angle lens and just use my telephoto. I wish I would have stuck the wide angle in my coat pocket because I could have used it a few times.

Noel followed me throughout the entire walk.

My house is surrounded by acres of woods and fields. I can walk for quite awhile and always be on family land. I took off toward the woods and immediately began to see tracks in the snow, mostly deer, rabbit and birds. I didn’t think there would be much chance of coming up on, or observing, any wildlife because one of my cats decided to follow me everywhere I went. Toward the end of my walk however, I came up on a doe and didn’t even realize it until I startled her. It was my own fault because I said something to Noel. I all the sudden heard a noise, looked up and saw the white tail as she fled up the fence line. I managed to get a few shots, but nothing good. I wish I would have kept my mouth shut; I couldn’t have been more tan ten yards from her when she jumped up.

You can just see the doe as she ran away.

I came across a log with what appeared to be raccoon tracks all over it. I also took a picture of four separate tracks that just happened to be next to each other. Deer, rabbit, bird and cat (surprise, surprise). It was actually when I listed the animals aloud that I started the doe. Oh, well…

You can see all the deer tracks; these are very close to my house.

Next time I think I’ll be sure to also take a bottle of water with me when I go. I got so thirsty walking around in the cold air. Luckily, I had plenty of ice around me and just popped a few icicles off the surrounding trees and sucked on them for awhile.

I really enjoyed my trek through the woods; I just don’t do it often enough. It was good to get out of the house and see all the beauty of the Ozarks. I am very lucky to have been born and raised in one of the most beautiful places in the world.