As Hurricane Joaquín inches north along our Southeast Seaboard, the storm spins rain bands into the Carolinas and our neck of the woods. Flash flood warnings are up. The rain dampens splashes of autumn color yet encourages romps into the autumn woods. Wonder if my canine pal Cooper is up for a jaunt in the rain? Why not whispers the kid residing within my heart.
By mid-afternoon Cooper and I cannot resist the siren call of wet woodlands. With camera stuffed under rain gear I traipse down muddy paths while Cooper enjoys a flurry of squirrel chases. A headlong charge into his favorite open field breaks up a horde of crows. Not to be outdone the latter gather in nearby tree canopies and noisily denounce his intrusion into their afternoon smorgasbord of earthworms.
Wind-driven rain makes photography impossible. The cover of forest is a blessing until a squall unloads water from its foliage umbrella. Tree branches and a kaleidoscope of autumn leaves litter the forest floor. In the hush of woodlands the deluge resembles echoes of a distant waterfall.
Exuberant albeit wet we head home in time for Cooper's afternoon meal and a snack of pickled herring in wine sauce for me.
© Ilija Lukić 2015
