It was one of those beautiful autumn mornings where the air was fresh , but not too cold. It was a more pleasing morning today as the wind from yesterday had disappeared. Moisture filtered in the air and clung to foliage. I decided to go to MacLellan’s Brook today as I love this area and it is always so peaceful. As I drove into the old farm area, a deer bounced out in front of my car. We both stopped and watched each other for a few minutes. I took a digital, but by the time I was taking the picture she was darting away. The scene I decided to paint today was breathtaking with its strong back lighting. It is amazing how quickly the summer greens are disappearing. The greens now hold traces of red, orange and deep yellows. Lots of greyed colors are present now as one season passes into the next. Wildlife was out in abundance today. While I was setting up to paint, a deer bounded up into the hills.
While I was in the middle of painting, an amusing thing occurred. I was very quietly painting and begun hearing a scuffling in the bushes nearby. At first I didn’t pay attention as there are always small noises and activity around me. It persisted at a steady rate and seemed to be coming closer. As I turned around I could see the grass moving and suddenly a porcupine stuck his head out into the pathway where I was standing. He was about 2 yards away from me! I was just as surprised as he was at our discovery of each other! We both just stopped and stared at each other. Then I thought it would make a perfect digital. As I reached for my camera, he stood up. We were at a standstill again. Then he flipped around and proceeded back in the direction he came from. I had a little chuckle and continued on with my painting.
Once my study was complete I began to write my reflection while I sipped tea and had a snack. I just soaked in the intense fall sun today! I was very pleased I had, because the beautiful day gave way to a dull cloudy one later in the afternoon.
