They were predicting a 30% chance of scattered thunderstorms by Sunday afternoon though. Hmm. I'll take that bet. We took our chances and struck north for a ride on the Norwottuck Rail Trail...
The weather stayed beautiful, and almost refreshing, with low humidity. We traveled up the entire 8.5 miles or so of trail with ease.
This girl was selling water and treats trail-side. She was earning money to help aid Southern Uganda. I bought a bottle of water for the cause.
Up at the Amherst end of the trail we took a break, before the return trek.
I saw that the DCR has begun a new ad campaign. It's targeted at getting families, and children in particular, involved in the great outdoors. The idea is to get stamps for your Park Passport at 76 Massachusetts State Parks.
We slowly pedalled back; stopping here and there, or walking the bikes, and scanning the wetlands for wildlife.
Egrets and Geese amicably shared the water.
A Downy Woodpecker tapped a tree nearby.
This tree was showing a disturbing eagerness to display it's turned red leaves. Hold up buddy, it's only August...
Nothing But Sunset
It was getting pretty close to sunset by this time. We were going to try to make it to the river in Hadley for a view, but the sunset wasn't going to wait. Luckily I found a new viewing spot along the trail, still in Amherst, where there is a broad field with bird nesting boxes. We were just in time for the show.
A lot of sunsets 'peak' for only a couple minutes; where the color and the formation of the clouds reach their most stunning point...then slowly fade and never regain brilliance. Or some sunsets, just when you think it's over, will surprise you and give out one more final burst of color...
But every once in a while, there's a sunset that just keeps giving. It constantly changes shape and color for a long, long time. This was one of those. This one just kept on dazzling and transforming, for a good 20 minutes...
The clouds slowly changing, and the sunlight holding it's brilliance...
It was quite a show, and for a grateful audience.
4 comments:
Considering the weather we've had recently, it was a very nice day. I had to stop and take this picture with my phone.
I know that spot on the bike trail - truly beautiful.
As for the young woman raising money to go to Uganda, I would think that it would make more sense to help people get out of the country - I'd rather be in Afghanistan than there; it's not the safest place in the world. But whatever floats her boat.
Great photos. Thanks for sharing.
Ditto to you guys over at Pine Cone Johnny, good pictures...
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