The view -

"Hiking Above the Great Lake"
digital collage by Mick Mather

One thing we have in this part of Central New York State is an abundance of water. Be it a puddle, slough, pond, stream, creek, river, canal or lake, there's always something wet within hailing distance. Todays post is reminiscent of some of the walks I've taken over the years mixed with visual memory of some armchair excursions to the Lakes District in the UK. So, get your canteens and walking sticks ... I'll meet you at the trail head.

Thursday Challenge: Signs -

"No Dumping"
digital photograph by Mick Mather
- click on image to view full size -

Signs is this weeks Thursday Challenge theme. While recently engaged in this years first walking art project, The Milton Slough Walk, I came across this bit of flotsam caught in a little waterfall. While the slough itself is a sort of holding pond for storm water runoff, it also seems to collect more than it's fair share of windblown detritus. The title of the piece references the spirit of the wind as well as any unintended consequence by man in this regard. Sometimes simple measures can be very complicated when they reach the working phase, for how can one regulate or legislate the individual to "pay attention".

The BIG back yard and then some -

"Kings Court Walk I"
digital collage by Mick Mather

One of the things that struck me while running a set of topographic maps and satellite views of "the BIG back yard" through the super secret array here at the Secret Visual Laboratory is the way it all began to resemble walking trails. It also prompted me to take further notice of a walk to plan, in early spring, around that bright, green shape at the top. In reality, this is a small pond nestled into an area bounded by a commercial development site, I-695 and railroad tracks operated by the Finger Lakes Railway. I'd do it today if I had a pair of snowshoes but, no matter, you may be able to see documentation of the Milton Slough Walk in 3 or 4 months.