I went to lunch with the gang from the old workplace on Friday. Another gentleman had quit and it was his last day, so they had the big send-off lunch for him. We had a good time, and it was nice to see everyone again. I don't miss the reasons I quit, but I do miss the people.
After lunch, I decided to drop by my favourite cemetery (which is very close to my old workplace) and wander around a bit. Of course I brought my camera! 
It was a lovely afternoon - overcast and cool at the start, which suited me fine, and then the sun started coming out about half-way through my visit. I found a statue that I'd been looking for ever since my second visit there. I had read on the cemetery's website that there was an angel statue standing guard over the children's section, but in all my many visits I had not yet discovered it. I parked in a location that I normally don't go to - I usually start at the other end of the cemetery. I just happened to glance over in the new section and I spotted what appeared to be a small monument, so off I went to inspect. Lo and behold, it was the angel, with two urns on either side, both holding a small stuffed toy.
It had never occured to me to look in the new section. It consists of mostly those soulless flat headstones, and while there is one angle statue way on the other side in there, I did not think there was anything else of interest. I thought the children's guardian statue would be somewhere in the older section, as there are a few children's areas in there, and that is where the majority of the artistic headstones and monuments are. I have to admit this particular statue is not my favourite, but I'm still very glad that I happened to glance over and find it. I also decided to stroll through to the other side of the new section to get a picture of the other angel statue (which is gorgeous) that I knew to be there, and I was happy I did as I found a couple of other lovely tributes - a hand painted rock on one lady's grave, and a sweet small cherub figurine near some other graves.
Even in the older section I found some stones that I had not noticed before. The place is so large that it doesn't matter how often I visit, there is always something new to be found. That's one of the reasons I never tire of going there. Plus, the atmosphere is so wonderful - it's the most peaceful cemetery I've ever been in, so it's a joy to simply wander around in there.
Being so old, there is a plethora of very old, therefore very large, trees in the cemetery. This not only adds to the beauty and peace of the place, but it provides homes for a large number of birds and squirrels, and there is also a large jack rabbit population in residence. Some days I see a lot of critters, other days they seem to all be in hiding. On Friday I ran across more critters there than I ever have before - it was amazing.
It began with the squirrels. As I was walking away from my car, I spotted a squirrel bounding along in the grass. He would stop and start, keeping a wary eye on me, but not getting too nervous. I tried to get some pictures, but of course he would dart off to a new spot every time I'd start to snap the shot. I finally admitted defeat and toddled off to focus on the graves.
There wasn't much activity in the new section - but then again, the trees are very sparse there. Of course I was not going to leave without visiting at least part of the old section again, and as I began walking through, the birds were flying all over the place, the crows and magpies making their usual rather jarring music, with the more melodious birds providing soothing accompaniment. As the trees are in full leaf, I didn't manage to get any pictures - the little imps simply tease by landing on an outer branch, then they hop further into the leaves just as I'm about to shoot, laughing at me all the way!
I wandered further along, picking up a few stray pieces of garbage. Suddenly I came upon a rabbit, but unfortunately he was just as startled as I was, so I only managed to get one shot as he was hopping away. As I wandered even deeper in, looking for some different headstones, I was stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted a rabbit laying half in the shade of a headstone. I was amazed that I'd gotten so close without the poor thing running off, but he simply laid there, seeming quite unconcerned. I got several pictures of him - he was magnificent. He kept a sharp eye on me, but was loathe to interrupt his lazy afternoon nap for my sake. He began nibbling on some grass, then got up to nibble on another patch, then laid back down again, all the while watching me and daring me to make him move. Of course I was thoroughly delighted, and had a wonderful time moving around and snapping pictures from various angles!
After I felt I'd spent enough time with him, I headed off in another direction, watching quite a number of squirrels darting to and fro, never stopping in one spot long enough for me to take their portraits. Most of the squirrels are pretty nervous, but there is always the odd one who is braver and will hang around, just out of reach, watching visitors. I spotted one perched on one of my favourite stones - he was in the perfect position for an awesome picture. Of course he darted off as soon as I snapped! However, he was of the braver variety, and kept darting around the area, watching me and getting closer with each move. I suddenly noticed that he had a friend with him, who was also fairly brave, although not quite as much so - he kept a bit more of a distance.
I had a fabulous time playing with those two! They would dart from stone to stone, stopping and staring at me, letting me aim and focus - then they would dart off as soon as my finger hit the shutter release, chattering at me as they did so. Sounded suspiciously like squirrel giggles to me! However, since they were content to continue to play photographer hide-and-seek, I persevered and managed to get a couple of very cute shots of the little brats. I must have spent about twenty minutes playing with them - they were so adorable, and so brave.
As I went back to my car, there were a couple more squirrels playing around near it. They were not quite so brave though, and flitted around too quickly for my camera and I. One of them, however, took a liking to my car, and kept darting all around it. He startled me immensely when he ran out from underneath - right towards me! Unfortunately I was too startled to remember to snap a picture. He was about two feet or so from me at that point, and he was frozen to the spot as he was quite startled too, so it would have been an awesome picture! However, he came to his senses before I did and bounded around to the front again. I decided to leave the poor little guy in peace, so off I went, very pleased with my afternoon's efforts.
It's funny, because I have a few friends that get a bit creeped out about me wandering around cemeteries and taking pictures. I would love to take them with me, just once, to show them how peaceful it can be, and how much fun. I haven't yet come across any other spot where I can play with the rabbits and squirrels like that! Ah well, we all have different interests, and I doubt that these friends will ever consider paying a visit to any of the cemeteries with me. So I shall simply be happy that I am able to go there myself to enjoy the peace and quiet, and to play with my feathered and furry friends.
May you all have a peaceful evening, and a wonderful day tomorrow! I shall post a few of the pictures in my gallery for anyone who is interested. Take care, everyone!
