Do you ever feel the need to get away, to hide from the world, or to avoid the people you care most about?   It happens to me periodically for no apparent reason and at odd times.  I normally just disappear from the house proper and take refuge in my man-cave but that doesn’t work as well as it once did. It seems that other people, including a rather inquisitive grandson have figured out my secret hide-away. When  that happens my last resort is to take my camera and head for the woods.

Yesterday was one of those days when the better-half was working and I was tired of gardens, gardening, household fix-it jobs, and the occasional unexpected telephone call.  I told no one where I was going, packed up my gear, turned off my cell and hit the road.   It was hot and humid and I didn’t care at all if anyone knew where I was going.  After arriving at my destination I parked my car, sprayed myself from head to foot with bug repellent, grabbed my camera and disappeared into the woods.  It’s one of the reasons I love living in Maine.  There are more woods here than I could ever visit in my lifetime.

I’ll give you a short walk-along as I made my way through a number of trails, two swamps, and my favorite blackberry patch. The bugs were out in large numbers but the repellent kept most of them at bay.  Since this Spring has been a wet one the woods are lush and green.  I didn’t walk twenty feet before I discovered these wild daisies.

I found a patch of these smaller yellow flowers as well and I have no idea what they are or where they came from. I do know they’re very delicate and love being photographed.

The trails are over grown in places and it was dead quiet. I visit this spot every so often because there are so few people who even know it exists.  It’s just me, the bugs, and the occasional wildlife visitor. 

I was especially interested in visiting the swamps.  It’s a little early for the dragonfly population to be booming but I thought I’d check it out anyway. I’m fascinated by them and have hundreds of photos in my files.   Unfortunately the swamps today had almost no dragonflies at all. I found that a little unusual but I’ll try again later in July when it gets a little warmer.  As I neared the first swamp I saw this wild Iris just sticking up out the water all by lonesome.

A  few steps further on and I almost stepped on this bull frog who was hiding in the weeds near my feet.  He refused to move so I took immediate advantage.

I made my way a short distance to the edge of the Scarborough River and Marsh.  It’s a thousand acres of a fresh water marsh with a water connection to the open ocean.  Beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see.

I followed anther trail that took me along the river and then inland to a second swampy area.  Again no dragonflies just another big fat bull frog who refused to look my way.  He sat quietly and gave me the cold shoulder until I left the area.

I decided to make my way back to my vehicle and along the way check out my favorite blackberry patch.  Over the years this patch has supplied my better-half and I with dozens of jars of delicious jam that is to die for.  It’s a huge patch as you can see and it is loaded with berries that should  begin ripening in big numbers in a month or so.

That was a photo of the patch but here’s one of the berries I intend to pick and eat in a few weeks.  I can’t wait to make more jam and freeze a few quarts of those big fat berries for use on my morning cereal.  There’s nothing better.

I headed home with a few dozen photo’s and a better outlook on life. Being in the woods has always supplied me with that clarity of thinking that’s so important.