More pictures from the good camera. It’s a Panasonic DMZ-TZ3 with a 10x optical zoom and a Leica lens, for any camera geeks out there. Socks got one and raved about it, we got one and loved it, and I think we’ve talked at least three others into getting this camera. Great little thing.

Back in August I was feeling pretty shitty all of the time with the stupid back. I woke up feeling good one day, and wanted to get out of the house. It was such a rarity to feel good, I didn’t want to waste it. I was also still pretty damn grumpy and didn’t want to be around people, or even my dog. My best option was to go for a walk along the disused railroad tracks that run behind and through my town.

I walked up to where the tracks crossed a road and entered there, instead of further out into the bog as I usually do when walking the dogeen. I was immediately glad I didn’t take her along, and even more glad that I wore high boots, as the blackberries were crazy-mad over the tracks at first. Breaking trail was painful for me in heavy cowboy boots and jeans. Her poor feet would have been very sore and her legs sliced into lace. I struggled on, looking for things to photograph.

I don’t even know what kind of plant this is. It’s like a huge Queen Anne’s Lace. This one wasnt open fully yet, and had a perfect cup that I could have fit my fist into.

The blackberries weren’t close to being ripe, but their leaves were changing colour already.

I loved the rocks, ivy, bushes and weeds that overgrew the tracks.

Looking away from the town and out into the cow pastures and bog, I found this twisted pine. The tenacity of life in harsh situations appeals to me.

A beautiful tree wound in ancient ivy. But behind it…

Seems I’ve attracted the attention of the locals.

Closer and closer he came…

…and brought his friends along. Soon I had an audience of curious bullocks.

He was the bravest of all, and got as close as he could. So much for taking more shots of the tree…