Another trip down Bark Camp creek

This trail has become one of our favorites in the area because of the lush growth along the creek.

This time, right at first we were taunted by an elusive buck that seemed more content with snorting and grunting than showing itself. Being that this is deer season here in Kentucky and I have decided to forgo any form of indulging in it's activities, the buck was safe from me...for now.

I have also been drawn more to the small things of the earth. For years I have found a certain quietness about simply squatting down next to the ground and observing the life that so often goes unnoticed underfoot. Closer to the earth time seems to go...slower.

Along with this increased attention comes a fascination with the fungi and their "other worldliness". Compared to the rest of the vegetation, these delightful creations stand out with their curves and smooth surfaces.

Perhaps it's their mysteriousness in how they just suddenly "appear". Or their purpose of transforming "death" into "life" to continue the cycle instilled into creation.

Along the trail, there were many such pleasureful signs of the ongoing call for life set in motion from the beginning. One such was a natural "planter" in which a tree had been cut long ago and the slow decay of weather and time had carved out a hole in the center in which a small fern had found a place to grow.

The creek was not as full as the last time I saw it, which regretfully I had not taken the camera along. However, there was enough volume this time to add a different beauty to the area, which was quickly showing signs of the approaching winter with near barren tree limbs reaching to the sky as if to beg the Creator to cover the Earth once again with the warm clothing of Spring.

Despite the coolness and the rapidly approaching nightfall, the soft pool of water below my position as I took the picture seemed very inviting to enter in.