I’m standing out here in the bitter cold wind on the shore of Lake of the Woods, and the lake is freezing over as I watch. The ice has spread out another 10 feet or so since I got here; it won’t be long now till all 1,700 square miles of the lake will disappear under ice.

and now, before my very eyes,

the lake begins to crystallize;

it spreads so fast, i must surmise

the fish are in for a surprise

–photo by me

for nature shots,

the chances are

that i won’t have to

go too far,

for nature’s riches

are bestowed

upon the ditches

of my road

–photo by me

idioms work well

when i’m posting a photo,

but which one to use,

sometimes i don’t know–

are these bumps on a log

or ducks in a row?

–photo by me

As I stand here gazing at the sunrise, I’m reminded of all the years I was only able to catch a glimpse of it on my way to work. Now I’m retired, and I couldn’t be more thankful that I’ll never have to miss another. Nature truly is poetry without words.

retirement is wonderful,

and here’s my favorite perk:

i get to watch the day unfold

instead of going to work

–photo by me

to hungry bees,

flowers like these

are as big as trees–

more nectar, please,

it’s the bees knees

–photo by me

in the crosshairs of my camera,

the fawn seemed to pose for the shot,

but then, like a silly young girl,

she stuck out her tongue and ran off

–photo by me