Monday 9 November 2009

First Frost

The trees, mostly bare branched now, reach up to perfect blue skies. Melting frost falls like rain with a flurry of last leaves. Coal tits chatter.

A dog walker stops me. 'You've not got a dog!' he says surprised. I nod and smile. 'But everyone who walks here has a dog!'. He walks on shaking his head, his dog trotting along after him.

Frost white grass -
a thin mist rises
from the river.

A dipper calls loudly and flies quickly upstream.

along the Water of Leith

23 comments:

d. moll, l.ac. said...

Beautiful pics.....I guess explaining you had a sponsored rabbit named Driftwood, wouldn't really help the dog walker....

Deb G said...

I love the crispness of frost. We have the first forecast for snow. I'll believe it when I see it. :)

Deb Cushman said...

Frost layers the land with beauty. You've captured it well.

Forthvalley scribe said...

love the way you have the light falling onto the paths!

Regina said...

Lovely banner, Juliet- we had our first frost here this week as well... simply magical...
:)

Nicole said...

*You don't have a dog*
???
Weird.

The shots are lovely (and so is your new header).
Must have been a lovely walk. Crisp and clean!

poefusion said...

I always enjoy these walks around Water of Leith with you. The surrounding area is gorgeous. As for the dog... phiff. It would have only served as a distraction from all this beauty you've shared. Have a great day.

Also, love the idea of your recycling old gift wrap papers. If I may suggest something. You could take several different colored papers and make flowers with them.

walk2write said...

Enjoyed the walk with you, especially without the dog. Not that I have anything against dogs, mind you. It's the carelessness of some dog owners who don't clean up after the pooches that bothers me a bit. Not a pleasant stroll when you collect something smelly on the bottom of the shoes. Anyway, lovely place you have to walk, and thanks for the visit to my site.

PurestGreen said...

Love the light shining through on the first shot.

Jinksy said...

Brrrrr!! Chilly picture!

Anonymous said...

I don't know what is more beautiful, the poem or the photos. Wish I was there to see the birds and feel the mist.

Captain Shagrat said...

Your banners are always top banana crafty. Likewise we has a light frost here in Blackburn

Christina said...

That is truly beautiful.

Kat Mortensen said...

You have to appreciate, CGP, that as a North American, the name "coal tit" does give one pause.

Stunning capture on film and in prose.

Unknown said...

Ha! Have to love a dog walker who can't imagine anyone walking without a canine friend.

First frost? I had no idea you are so much warmer than my part of Ontario.

Paul said...

That is a very beautiful piece of art masquerading as a blog post, Juliet. An illustrated poem story poem, so delicate and controlled and strangely simply beautiful, tone and content and manufacture.

angela recada said...

It's always such a pleasure to take a walk with you, even if you don't have a dog.
:0)
The photos are stunning!

Alison Wiley said...

Beautiful, Juliet. I've not got a dog, either, though I like dogs. Same with children.

RG said...

Brrrrrr ....

A great walk ....

BlueJayEye said...

what a peaceful setting for a walk...

Marvin said...

Beautiful frost photos -- and those on the following post too. I especially like the beam of sunlight penetrating into the dark woods.

We've had only a couple of very light frosts so far and are past due for a heavy, killing frost.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Edward and I would fit right in.

Jacquie said...

beautiful, evocative words and images! (You are inspiring me to want to visit Edinburgh, btw)