A Hot Date. A Long Hot Date

This is a picture story for your viewing pleasure.

Dad and I went on a date to The Ney Nature Center.

(And by date I mean walk.)

We saw lots of awesome spring flowers. I didn't even take pictures of them all. There were too many. These three different white ones were all in one clump
Spring is so lovely!

We also saw an eagle hanging out by its' nest. So majestic and beautiful! I almost didn't get him in the picture frame because it was so windy high up in the tree.

Here's the nest. I zoomed
 a ton to get this.

Some funky looking plant. We were just loving the green.

It is super flooded at the nature center this year.

The water was so high! We couldn't even 

make it out to the walkway in the pond.

We would have needed some good puddle jumpers.

Believe it or not, this is looking down the path.

The view from the bridge.

The Dad

The Dad and The Mom taking a selfie.

I thought this rock looked much like I imagine Ollock to look, from Fablehaven. Only smaller. Can you see it? 

Also, I probably spelled that wrong. Sorry.

We followed a different path than normal. It said easiest, and that seemed smart with my hurt back.

So we kept walking.

Deer tracks!

There were tons!

We went along the river and walked through woodsy meadows.

And we kept walking for a long time.

And then we came out of the woods to this.

Surprise!

And then we saw these.

They were very friendly. I think? 

(They were in electric fence.)

They came ambling over to greet us

 and even posed for photos.

Aren't they gorgeous?

I think that lighter brown, spotted one above has a sassy attitude.

It would probably get along with a llama.

Fabulous!

   

   

I think this guy is my favorite.

Look at those horns!

  After meeting and greeting, we went on with our walk. 

And came out to this.

  

We had been misled. 

Definitely not the easiest path.. 

Widest, maybe?

It was looooong. And this is the road.

Far from the nature center.

And we felt like 

this.  

And all we could do was keep walking.

At least the scenery was pretty.

We met this guy.

And his wife.

I don't think they were too pleased to meet us.

He squawked at us and she ducked and hurried away.

So we kept walking.

(Our feet were tired.)

And suddenly (after what seemed like hours) we were 

back at the eagle's nest.

 

He was not happy to see us either and scolded us loudly.

And finally we were back at the nature center. Hurrah!!!

And the moral of this story is: 

Get out in nature. 

Move your bodies. 

Spend time with people you love.

 Feel peace.

And always check the map for your path

The End

When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” ~Wendell Berry

Love you