E-Videogram: Happy Spring Peepin

Lately I have been sending picture text messages via cellphone from my evening walks. During the last couple weeks, you may have received the "Happy Sunset" text from the banks of Muddy Creek, the banks of the French Broad, or Max Patch. Tonight I figured I would do something a little bit different - record footage from my walk out on Henderson Island and post the evening's "Happy Sunset" here.
Henderson Island is a gem. It is less than 1.5 miles from my house, it is >100 acres of native warm season grasslands and hardwoods, full of wildlife (deer, quail, turkey, songbirds, snakes), and I have never seen another person out there (except during hunting season). Since I have lived in Dandridge, the island has never actually been an island because the water level has not come up high enough. I have always been able to drive the VW or Kia right to the access site, beyond which motorized vehicles are prohibited. The lakeside of the island and the cove are excellent swimming spots. It is isolated and private enough to walk in a bathing suit, sing songs out loud while I walk, and scream at the top of my lungs when startled by a snake (and not be embarrassed). It is where Buksi Bear learned to swim, and Ember and I tire eachother out swimming for sticks all afternoon. The dormant season is a very colorful time on the island. I enjoy all the purples, pinks, golds, and greys of willow, rush, broom sedge, and cattails. Tonight I took Beep out to the island for the second time. She disappeared chasing deer for about 20 minutes. She may have covered all 100 acres, two times over. She was soooo exhausted on her return that I had to alternate between dragging her and carrying her back to the car.
As always, these beautiful places and these beautiful experiences make me miss those I love. I want to share these moments with you like we used to, but for now I do so with all this technology. Enjoy tonight's "Happy Sunset" show!