The day dawned with a post-deluge glow. The freshly scrubbed breeze was fragrant with rosemary and wild coastal sage. So deliciously crisp. I welcomed the cold on my morning walk, deliberately eschewing my sensible coat, wanting to feel the full effects of that bracing breeze. Unmuffled. Unbuffered.

When rosemary is wet with dew, you need only brush your fingers lightly along the leaves to completely inundate them with scent. To wrest the scent from some herbs, they must be crushed or bruised. Rosemary needs but a caress to surrender its essence.

In all my years walking this trail, I've only seen deer on one other occasion, a solitary young buck. This morning, there was a herd of five, contentedly munching on the rain soaked chapparal.

(You know the drill. Enlarge them!)

It's like little fairies came and kissed each petal good morning...gorgeous... ????? · 2007-02-23: 23:49

you know, rosemary is a great seasoning for venison roast. my hands feel sticky just from looking at the first two shots. they're beautiful. chipotle · 2007-02-24: 00:21

Those first shots macro? ????? · 2007-02-24: 00:47

Gourmet treat! Venkat · 2007-02-24: 04:10

Brilliant, that must really have been a special occasion. ????? · 2007-02-24: 06:51

love the set! openbelarus · 2007-02-24: 09:40

Are you going to Scarborough Fair? :-) Great set with great title! :-) ????? · 2007-02-24: 15:36

Scarborough ! OldboyJack does it look like a Yorkshire day ? Such a reward to meet these gracious creatures. Closing my eyes I can smell the rosemary and feel the breeze. Romantic set carmitage · 2007-02-24: 18:19

Beautiful shots! I really love the rosemary pics. We use it to skewer prawns to throw on the Bar-B. It adds a wonderful flavor. Jannie · 2007-02-25: 20:28

oh so beautiful... the first one really caught my eye. I like this set.! naebegirl · 2007-02-25: 20:54

how wonderful! I really love the first shot magpy · 2007-02-26: 01:14

Beautiful! I have no words :) I just love #1 and 2!! Sandman · 2007-02-26: 03:17