a walk along the walking dunes

each year we do manage to come to montauk for greg's birthday. i love these february visits. today was especially nice as we all were together for a dune walk. i think the last time we did this walk was about four years ago.

first greg had to take a birthday call from aunt kathy and uncle warren.

these dunes were created from a strong wind blowing from the northwest and moving the dunes in a southeasterly direction. as the dunes "walk" they bury forests in their path. some of the trees sticking up out of the sand may still be alive because their roots reach water buried below the surface. the average dune walks about three and a half feet per year.

 fungi and lichen.

 common reed.

cranberry bog in the distance . . 

 

walking to the cranberry bog . .

 

 

napeague harbor looking south.

 

napeague harbor looking north towards napeague bay.

 

setting up a photograph . .
 

 the picture . . 

 the photographer . .

i'm not sure why the barnacles and the sand look so red . . i'll have to consult the brochure which has disappeared! (i'm posting this months after the event).
 

let's go! there's a birthday celebration to be had at home.

friday nature walk: signs of spring

it was so beautiful out today, we decided we had to go on a nature walk. there were lots of tiny flowers and bulbs, nothing big. one had to look carefully. this little crocus was found by the pine trees we sketched along the river walk.

there were many robin redbreasts hopping around!

i believe this is a whitebarked himalayan birch tree! betula utilis jacquemontii! i didn't realize it when i took the picture; i was just enchanted with the pale bark against the evergreens. but looking at it now, and googling birch trees (one of the 20th centuries greatest inventions . . where would i be without google?) i found several images and websites. i'll link to this. the only problem is that the bark doesn't appear very paper-like to me. maybe because it's so young? it's another tree to observe as spring and summer approaches.

bare grey birch branches against the sky on the high line. .

no, i can never have enough pictures of my beloved grey birch . .

and they're very patient with my picture taking . . most of the time.

running around on the high line . .

our find of the day! lovely lavender crocuses on the high line!

they were so tiny amidst the enormous billboards and buildings of chelsea . .

the sun felt wonderfully warm as we sketched.

morgana's journal page . .

and mine . .

and chanda's. after our last sketch we did in 10 degree weather, chanda has been very weary of nature walks and sketching . . it was good today's sketch was short and sweet. and warm!

ah! and when we looked up, la luna was smiling down . . or maybe she's frowning today . . feeling a bit sullen? i have days like that . .