Drip, Drip, Drip

"Water, water, everywhere... and not a drop to drink!"

We have been surrounded by water in one form or another for months now.  Fog, rain, snow, sleet, slush, and ice have enveloped the farm since autumn.  

 All of this water, in one form or another... and yet there are some who live in a constant state of drought. 

 If I could, I would share this abundance.

I don't know about you, but I am a creature of water.  I live upon the land, and yet am most comfortable in a body of water.  It's been this way all of my life.  Was it swimming that made me fall in love with water, or the opposite?  Who knows...

When I am near the ocean, I feel my soul being tugged by the tide.  And yet, I am content where I am... landlocked.  Still, water - in all of its forms - calls to me. 

 Perhaps that is partly why I love winter.  I am fascinated by the tiniest of snowflakes...

 and awestruck by ice sculptures created from the drip, drip, drip, of water over rock. 

Right now, though we are surrounded by snow and ice, the water is flowing. 

 The water from melting ice runs across the land seeking low spots.  The pond is full enough to supply a continuous spout of run-off from its overflow pipe.  A stream of water shoots out through a cavern of ice... 

down, down, down to a partially frozen puddle below. 

 From here, it trickles through the woods, eventually finding the stream to the north of our land.

Here it travels swiftly over rocks and logs, converging with other streams and eventually flowing into our beautiful Juniata river.

Yesterday, as I stood enjoying the peace of our pond and all of its visitors, I took a moment to count the ducks.  I counted 87 (at least!). What a lovely scene...

happy little quackers swimming contentedly, 

while others stood meditating on the icy shore.

I am pretty sure we now have all of the ducks in our entire county!

**********

I so enjoyed our conversation yesterday.  Everyone's lovely responses were inspiring.  How wonderful it is to be surrounded by so many like-minded souls.  We are a community... I am grateful for this!

PS... As I sit, writing this... dusk has arrived - the sun is setting on my Wednesday.  Through the closed windows I can hear the "Who-Who" of a great horned owl.  It's mating/nesting season for these beautiful, enormous, nocturnal birds - and we are lucky to have a few in our woods to serenade us.  They mate in late January or early February, with two or three hatchlings arriving four weeks later.  Owls have their babies at this time of year so that the babies are old enough to start learning to hunt when the smaller mammals have their babies.  There is such intelligence in the way nature takes care of itself!  The more I learn, the deeper my love for this earth grows!

Comments

Sharon from Cassville said…
It is a wonderful life we live here in central Pa. Thank you for sharing yours with all of us!
Always loved all of the things you pointed out about your part of the country. We see much of it when go back home to visit my hubby's family in PA. What a wonder creation is and is there for us to learn of and enjoy!
Love your posts!
Jeannie said…
I love your beautiful pictures today!
Marcia LaRue said…
Another beautiful pictorial of what you see, feel, and drink in every day!
I lived by the ocean in N. and C. California for many years but when I retired, I heeded the call of the Colorado mountains! Now I am surrounded by them!
Love the water pics. I was a swimmer also and I am so drawn to the water. I was watching a tv show and they were vacationing along the water and I felt tears come to my eyes and there was a pull from my midsection to the tv water! How odd is that? Could it be because we are March babies? I don't know. Strange though isn't it?
Lynne said…
Another beautiful post!
You are GIFT . . .
This N That said…
All our water is frozen. Barely melting. I’m so tired of ice. The snow is frozen. Even the bear doesn’t leave tracks anymore. I also love water. Would love to go to the shore and just sit and watch the ocean. Must be the Pisces in me.
Another beautiful thought-provoking post! Enjoy your day. Wind chills -0 tomorrow. Can’t wait
woody said…
Your fascination with winter’s water in all its forms excites me as it does you. It’s beauty is glorious! Thank you Beverly for these wonderful Blogs full of pictures that we look forward to each and everyday. You are an amazing women!
THE BEARDED ONE said…
LADY.....YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOO AMAZING...YOU KNOW JUST THE PICTURES TO TAKE AND THE WORDS TO GO W/THEM...TRULY I WISH MY WIFE AND I COULD MEET AND VISIT W/YO AND HUBBS...SHE IS A BOB ROSS CERTIFIED TEACHER AND SHE'D LOVE SEEING YOUR GREAT WORK..THESE ICE PICTURES ARE AWESOME AND YOUR COMMENTARY IS PERFECT...LOV'EM..KEEP SMILING !!!! AND THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN !!!!!
Malinda Eddinger said…
What beautiful photos.
What a beautiful, thoughtful post, Bev. Your words sing in my heart. Thank you!
Dee J. Hartman said…
Lovely, lovely photos, Bev!
They're quite a site to see
of water seen in many forms-
Such beauty! Yes, indeed!