Oratia Stream

I sometimes wonder if the sun is brighter here.  I mean than in northern Michigan, U.S.A.  It would make sense that it is. We're closer to the equator here so the line from the sun to the back of our necks is more direct. 

I bring this up because I sometimes imagine that there must be some giant kid kneeling nearby with a magnifying glass in his hand, focusing a ray of light on the ground and watching all of us little people scurrying beneath it, heading for the shade again.   

Case in point, look at this bridge. This crosses the Oratia  (Or-a-tea-a) Stream. Half way across you can see the intense sunlight coming down through the canopy. That wasn't there a moment ago. Let's go investigate. Put your sunglasses on.  Got sunscreen? 

Do you see what I mean?  The trees in the sun are washed-out looking, due to the intensity of the light.  I wondered as I stood here and pondered the bright vs. dark if I'd see the trees start to smoke soon, as that pesky kid focused the beam even tighter.  Fortunately for me, that didn't happen.   

This is the view from one side of the bridge. 

And this is the other side.  

I decided to avoid the sun and zoomed in on the cool darkness of the stream instead.  

Hey, there are ducks down here.

And look at this, a pukeko showed up.

I've often showed photos in this blog of beaches, parts of the city, and great adventures that I've been on. Every bit as important though are the glimpses into the small places and quiet moments that make up a large part of my life.  The day-to-day stuff.  This was one of them. 

I happened to be passing this bridge at the moment that the sun broke through the clouds and put a spotlight on the largely unseen activity taking place on the stream. 

Jeanne and I have been given a wonderful gift in our retirement. We are living near our daughter and grandsons in an exotic part of the world.  I like to think that the spotlight of sun on the bridge that caught my attention happened in part to remind me of how good we have it. 

And it's made even better yet, because I can share it with all of you. I am grateful.         -djf