Sunday on Big Fish Lake

Sunday afternoon out on the lake was beautiful. The sun was warm and golden in a way you only see in autumn. Fall is coming down fast here in Michigan and it will probably be our last trip out. Unless we manage to have another gorgeous Indian Summer day--on a weekend.

When we reached the cove, a solitary great blue heron was standing in the tall grass.

The swans that have nested on our lake all summer are still here; graciously sharing the water way with us.

And of course, there's the geese. Yes, I had to spook them. Troublemaker. I just wanted to see them do that running on water thing.

The fall foliage was beautiful. Gold and red mixed with the fading greens; they have not yet given way to the many shades of brown November is known for.

We rested a moment in the protection of a great willow that twists and bends and stoops all the way down to the water creating a green room with dapples of sunlight reflecting on the leaves. In companionable silence we breathed in the Indian Summer, touching it, not wanting to release it to the passing of time. But draping a hand into the clear very cold water belied the fact: Summer is already gone.