66 Comments
User's avatar
Antonia Malchik's avatar

Going in, I expected to see so much beauty, but the tribute to Darla stole my heart. That last photo 😢💞

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

I've totally ruined myself tonight.

Expand full comment
Antonia Malchik's avatar

I imagine I’m not the only one who’s sympathizing without dry eyes 💔

Expand full comment
Karen Davis's avatar

This is really beautiful - all of it. all of it. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your heart. I can feel your connection to this place and of course to Darla. Adding your one-sentence journals is so powerful. I really, really love the black and white photo of the foggy river.

(Also amazed all those photos came over in email! Substack is forever telling me after about 8 photos that they won't.)

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Substack is a liar! It tells me the same thing too! 😂

Expand full comment
Francia McCormack's avatar

Excellent body of work. What a stunning place. Love to Darla’s spirit. Peace, friend.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

💚🙏🏽💚

Expand full comment
Rick's avatar

While the writer meticulously sculpts words to illicit emotions from events, the poet and the artist, like the landscape, craft the space for both the manifest world and the spirit. Chris, this photo and lyrical piece touches on one of the most meaningful for me, that you have produced. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Thank you, Richard.

Expand full comment
Amanda Wald Rachie's avatar

Sunshine gets | all the fanfare | but I live for | foggy mornings | on the river | mist rising in clouds | from its surface | herons overhead | heard, unseen

You and Darla the Adventure Dog and all that beauty! Our animal friends are dear to us, as are our beloved places. Thank you for everything here.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Anastasia McRae's avatar

I was creeping through the photos, loved the collage of Darla, then I spied the little owl (?) in the tree trunk. OMG, that was my poem for the day. Thank you for the images.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

The moment with that owl – it's called a northern saw-whet owl – was one of my favorite ever encounters.

Expand full comment
CharleyCarp's avatar

And there's a northern pygmy owl at Council right now. Or at least yesterday afternoon when my wife took its picture.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

I'm not surprised by that at all. The only place I've ever seen one of those was up Rock Creek years ago.

Expand full comment
Karen Davis's avatar

That's SO COOL. Someday I will see one of the little owls, a saw-whet or even a screech owl. those are moments!

Expand full comment
Connie C's avatar

The winter stillness in some of those photos is almost palpable. I’m in a much different climate, but the cold peacefulness was all around just a few minutes ago when I welcomed the day on my front porch. Every morning, I say a small prayer of gratitude, and it includes my dogs, four of whom have passed on but will always be by my side. The fifth, a pit, is dozing next to me on the couch. We’re so lucky to share our lives with dogs. Thank you for these beautiful photos and poems.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Thank you. And thank you for telling me about your dogs. 💚

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Aquino's avatar

So stunning and peaceful, at once. Your photos, your words, the words of others -- all evocative and haunting and startling, too. Thank you for taking us along.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

🙏🏽

Expand full comment
Natasha Clarke's avatar

so sorry that you are without your Darla on the physical realm. blessings to you both during this transition. I miss my shadow, Bill, everyday.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Thank you, Natasha. It’s been a few years but, as you know, it’s still difficult. As it should be, really.

Expand full comment
Sheeby's avatar

Thank you for this. It was wonderful; I consider it my first Christmas present!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful writing and photos.

Expand full comment
Jenny's avatar

Omg Darla! So glad I got to see her with your personal eye. Really beautiful photos - including the nature photos - thank you!!

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Thank you, Jenny.

Expand full comment
Linda Foshee's avatar

I feel the same: Sunshine gets | all the fanfare | but I live for | foggy mornings | on the river | mist rising in clouds | from its surface | herons overhead | heard, unseen

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

💚

Expand full comment
pencilfox.'s avatar

You got me with the photos of Darla and your bit of poetry for her.

But, you got me with the winter photos, too…

Expand full comment
Jen Payne's avatar

Really beautiful.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Thank you, Jen.

Expand full comment
boriskat's avatar

This one brought me to tears, Chris. Just beautiful. I hope to visit there and take in the beauty as well.

Expand full comment
Chris La Tray's avatar

Thank you, Kama. It is snowing and beautiful here this morning, a perfect time to visit.

Expand full comment
Mariah's avatar

Thank you Chris. These photos transported me, the accompanying few lines just right to add depth and Poetry to augment them.

What a lovely refuge so near at hand.

Expand full comment