A few days ago, a friend and I took a long walk up steep Hillsdale Road to the gradual climb of Toad Lake Road and down to Toad Lake and then part way up Squalicum Mountain Road and back (check Google Maps if you would like to see just where this is in Bellingham, Washington). As we were walking north along Toad Lake Road, my friend looked up and noticed a golden rain that appeared to be falling out of the deep blue sky. I looked up and then down and saw a few tiny flat seed pods sticking to my fleece jacket. We looked up and to the west side of the narrow road and to where there was a small stand of trees with a few leaves left on them. The seeds were illuminated by the sun as they fell from the trees. The afternoon light and the timing were just right. In all the years I have lived in Bellingham, I've never consciously seen this before.
When I got home I went to Google, certain that I could find out what kind of tree had released the shower of gold. I entered words like "golden rain" and "trees" and "seed fall" but came up with nothing that seemed to refer to anything like what we had seen. Then I went to Google Images and entered "tree seeds" and quickly discovered that the golden rain was most likely from alder trees.
I didn't have my camera with me, but I doubt a camera could have captured that experience.
As the days get shorter and darker, my spirits lift inexplicably, and playing the dulcimer is giving me unexpected added joy. I'd like to be able to play like Robert Force but am happy just to be learning what I can:
Listen.
Whenever I take a picture of myself taking a picture of myself, I think of
Imogen Cunningham.
More about Imogen Cunningham.
