I’m still reeling a bit from the highs and lows of this day. It started out with a calm, pleasant hike in the Rocky River Reservation. We caught a glimpse of a young fawn in the woods and met some lovely fellow hikers.
Back at the car, I packed up my camera, like I always do, in a special padded backpack. We got home and I was hurrying to get Chuck in the house and get ready for work. I slung the backpack over my shoulder and reached for Chuck’s leash. A second later, I heard a sickening crunch. In my haste, I failed to secure all the snaps on the backpack closure and my camera slipped out and crashed onto the driveway.
I knelt over it and my stomach sank when I saw that the viewfinder was shattered. The little closures that conceal the sd card slots and charging ports had popped open and the top left corner was chipped off. I had to get to work so there was no time for tears. I ran a quick internet search and it looks like the damage can be repaired as along as the mechanicals are still in order.
So, after dinner, I went out to Sandy Ridge with my mama to see how the camera would perform. You know the anticipation you feel when you’re clicking up a massive first hill on a roller coaster? I always feel that at Sandy ridge when I emerge from the woods into the marsh. But it was magnified tonight one hundred fold.
The light was golden and warm. There was a lovely breeze. A few whispy clouds were high up in the sky, and the muddy water was a-flutter with so much activity!
We saw black ducks and mallards and wood ducks galore. Snowy egrets and great blue herons stood fishing or perched on logs – occasionally rising into the air to show off their wingspans. Turtles and a muskrat enjoyed the last light of the day. But best if all, a gorgeous sandhill crane strode through the wetland. I stood in the tall grasses at the edge of the water and watched his calm, stately stride. He came close and closer until he was just a few meters away!
As I tried to capture all this wonder, I prayed that my camera was working. It seemed ok, but I couldn’t be sure util I got home and examined the pictures. Oh the relief when I saw that the shots were good and clear!
Here are a few of the best. I hope they bring you a fraction of the joy they brought me today!
Click on any image below to launch the gallery and view all images full size.
