High Water

We took a quick trip to St. Louis this week, just an overnighter, and one of my friends there mentioned that she was hoping to see pictures of the high water here.  She was referring to the dramatic rise in Bull Shoals Lake in the past few weeks.  Normal pool for Bull Shoals is 654 feet above sea level, and the top of the dam at Bull Shoals, Arkansas is 695 feet above sea level.  The lake reached that level in 2008, and we thought that was the highest it could go.  We were wrong.  Last month it reached 696.5 feet, a result of the manipulation of flood gates at the dam and the high volume of water pouring into the lake.  

Technicalities aside, this lake is really beautiful when it's high like this.  Water comes up into the trees, and only land that belongs to the government is flooded.   

This is Game Warden Cove, near our place.

Here's the lake from the other side in 2009, at a more normal level.  This information might not be that thrilling for everybody, so, Janet from St. Louis, I hope you get to read it.  As for me, Mission Accomplished.  

Morning Encounter

Barley and I walked early this morning, before full light.  As we walked up the hill on the country road near ours, we heard the snorts of startled deer in the woods, then saw some movement, and in a flash, 2 does had crossed the road very close to us.  Following them was the tiniest fawn, who ran by, a little slower, not more than one yard from where Barley and I stood.  It ran to the edge of the road, and paused in the high weeds, where it turned and looked back at us.  Barley started to walk toward the fawn, but I called to him softly and he stopped where he was.  The 2 of them just stood and looked at each other for a few minutes, then the fawn ran off to join its mama.  I imagine both Barley and the fawn are having interesting dreams tonight.  I know I will. 

  

Misty Morning Magic

The morning is foggy, and I'm up early. Don is busy with chores, and I load my camera and tripod in the car, leave Barley with Don, and set out. I follow the fog through town, where no one stirs, and only a few monotone buildings and trees are visible.  

West of town, I turn north and drive up a hill, where I park and wait for the light. The hills are still shadowed and an ocean of fog fills the valley. Birds and cicadas are awake, and together, their song seems to wake up the landscape. First light reveals the road I traveled to get here, winding through the valley, a freshly mowed field, and treetops rising from the mist. Time passes quickly as I click away on my Nikon, and soon the sun rises over my left shoulder and illuminates the valley.  

It's such a beautiful spot to spend alone with God; I can imagine staying to watch the play of light as the sun rises in the sky, but breakfast with Don is waiting, and a walk with Barley, and there's a boat to clean and berries to water, for starters. I'd better get on with the day. 

 I'm pretty sure it will be better for having been here.

Honeysuckle

This morning I cut a wild honeysuckle vine and put it in a vase on the table.
Such a capture didn't tame it a bit; instead, it brings it's wild beauty into the dining room.

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