The weather on Tuesday was sublime with air temperatures in the mid-tens; about 15ºC. Much of the snow in the backyard had melted, but the grass and ground sill felt soggy underfoot. Still, I wanted to satisfy my urge to be outdoors. I had been inside for far too long during the cold, grey and snow damp weeks of January and February. I am still looking for new contract opportunities, and without work to distract me, being at home was affecting my mental health. I was tired of the fluorescent glow from the iMac's display. I wanted to feel some natural light on my face. I decide to hike the Aunt Molly Trail on St. Michael's Preserve.
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄400 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄280 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
The first part of the trail was a mixture of ice, water, mud and snow slushy. But once I got up the steep incline near the brook, things changed as the hiking trail opened. The sun fell and soaked my face in cosmic rays of warmth.
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1400 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄350 sec at f/10 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄750 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
The trail changed to a crunch layer of packed snow. I could see that many other hikers had trampled the snow and packed it onto the trail.
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄350 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Despite the warmer weather and exposure to full sun, there were large patches of snow. In some places, there was still so much snow that I could not see the trail.
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄250 sec at f/7.1 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄500 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/2500 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
In other areas, the leaf biomass's warmth and the lichen had melted the snow to reveal green patches, not just from the Holly.
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1250 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄40 sec at f/13 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄180 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 200
I could hear bird song even as the trail changed from ice and snow to mud and ice and ice and water.
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄500 sec at f/2.8 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄90 sec at f/11 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1700 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/1800 sec at f/4.5 | ISO 400
Then the trail changed again, mostly mud and ice. The trail was less open and more claustrophobic, lined with leafless trees and shrubs. I could see pockets of green lichen on dead branches and the base of trees.
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄4700 sec at f/4.5 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄550 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄750 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 200
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄250 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 500
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄850 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1⁄450 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 400
Tuesday 9 March, 2021 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF27mmF2.8 | 1/2900 sec at f/9.0 | ISO 400
I was mildly concerned that I could no longer tell if I was still on the trail, that I might be wandering off. It was then clear again, and soon, I was back where I started and ready to head home.
6 Comments
rabirius
13th March 2021 at 5:53 AMBeautiful pieces of a wooden landscape.
Khürt Williams
14th March 2021 at 1:07 PMIt’s going to look very different in a few weeks when the native spring flowers arrive.
Tina Schell
12th March 2021 at 4:55 PMSo glad you were able to get out Khurt - spring is definitely in the air. Here in the south we're enjoying the sun and warmth knowing the oppressive heat of summer won't be far behind! Thanks for joining us this week.
Khürt Williams
12th March 2021 at 5:28 PMThere is more light ahead for sure.
khurtwilliams
12th March 2021 at 3:36 PM@Miraz it was refreshing to my soul.
Miraz
12th March 2021 at 3:35 PM@khurtwilliams An excellent photo essay. It looks and sounds like a fabulous hike!