Darby, a Free Spirit among the Wildflowers

Darby romping among the Partridge Pea and other Wildflowers on the Rails to Trails

Encountering a Runner with my Furry Companion, Darby

While Darby and I were out for an afternoon run this past weekend on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park, on the return leg of an out-and-back, we approached a fellow runner. 

As she got closer, I observed what appeared to be an expression of recognition on her face. So I immediately went into "Do I know her?! I don't know her?! Maybe I should know her!" mode. 

As we got within a few yards of one another, she pulled to a stop and asked, "Is that Darby?" I must have appeared bemused when I affirmed that it was. She proceeded to tell me that she had recently moved here from Hoover and had come across this blog while in search of places to run. She had read the blogs featuring Darby at Black Creek Park and on the Rails to Trails.

So recent transferee from Hoover, if you're still visiting here, we hope you enjoy our little stretch of woods, and Darby and I are glad to have met you!

Violets on the Rails to Trails, Black Creek Park

Although there a now hundreds of violets, and assorted other flowers, that litters the side of Black Creek Park's Rails to Trails, these were the first that I observed, as late Winter evolved into early Spring several weeks ago.

Darby at Full Speed, Ears Flailing at the Rails to Trails

Even when running at full speed, ears flapping furiously, the apparent smile on Darby's face gives evidence to the notion that this creature knows how to soak in life's simple pleasures. On this day that included swimming in Black Creek, hiking in the woods, hopping through piles of leaves, and running the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park, all of which gave rise to the need for a bath (in which Darby found no pleasure).

Darby, Surveying the Landscape for Adventure

Having frolicked through the frigid waters that eventually flow into Black Creek, alongside the Rails to Trails in Fultondale, Darby ascends the banks and surveys the landscape to determine the next adventure that's on her horizon.

Withstanding the Dreary Winter Weather with Darby

Despite the beatdown that I and many other reasonable people like me feel winter to be, there are those among us who inexplicably thrive for the cold temperatures and blustery winds. During no other time of year does Darby seem to have more life and vivacity than when the mercury in the thermometer plummets and she gets to put that fur coat to good use.

Withstanding the Winter with Darby on the Rails to Trails

at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, Alabama

Other photos and videos of Darby, from puppyhood to present, can be found here.

Low Winter Sun on the Rails to Trails, Fultondale

As the winter sun daily rises lower in the southern sky, the splashes of color that the are landmark of autumn's arrival begin to peter out and become scarce. The shadows deepen and the light takes on a colder hue.

A low winter Sun illuminates that last Autumn Colors

on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park, Fultondale, Alabama

Spring Has Sprung and Fall Has Fell, Part 3

In order to make sure credit is given where it is due, I must recognize that this photograph would not have been taken had not Darby gotten a wild hair about her and taken off down a side trail on Black Creek Park's Rails to Trails. There is seemingly no accounting for her urges, but once in a while, I find myself grateful for them.

White Oak Leaves Lying Nestled on the Forest Floor in Fultondale, Alabama

Also found in the "Flora" Gallery, here

Spring Has Spring and Fall Has Fell, Part 2

The last vestiges of Color cling to a Sweetgum Leaf amidst a dreary Winter Pallet

on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, Alabama

Spring Has Spring and Fall Has Fell, Part 1

A Sweetgum Leaf stands out against the seasonal carnage in late Autumn

on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, Alabama

This photo can be found in the "Flora" gallery, here.

Honey Bee Wrapping up the Summer Harvest

Honey Bee Wrapping up the Summer Harvest on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park

Family Outing on a Hazy Morning, Rails-to-Trails

Family Outing in the Cool, Hazy Light of an Early, Autumn Morning

at the Rails-to-Trails at Black Creek Park, Fultondale, Alabama

Early Morning Run with Rosco on the Rails-to-Trails

As a disclaimer, I have no actual knowledge whether the pup featured here running with its owner on the Rail-to-Trails at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, is actually named Rosco. In fact the odds are likely against, but it did bring some appreciable consonance  to the title. And as may have become readily apparent to regular readers of the blog, I'm a sucker for some consonance.

Runner and Canine Companion Running on the Rails-to-Trails, Fultondale, Alabama

Father and Son Traversing the Rails-to-Trails

Father and Son Walking and Bicycling on the 

Rails-to-Trails in Fultondale, Alabama

Common Mullein at Black Creek Park, Fultondale

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) on the Rails to Trails

at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, Alabama

Spurred Butterfly Pea on the Rails to Trails, Fultondale

Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum) on the Rails to Trails

at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, Alabama

Running Wild and Free at Black Creek

Every now and then, Darby and I find a patch of creek where nobody else is within eye-shot or ear-shot, and we get to run around to our hearts' delight. This outing found us at Black Creek just downriver from Black Creek Park near the Rails to Trails in Fultondale, Alabama.

Photographing Darby with the Agfa Billy Record

Photographing Darby with my 80-year-old Agfa Billy Record, while she's running wide open, was an enjoyable experiment in contrasting existences. This photograph was taken on Black Creek Park's Rails to Trails in Fultondale, Alabama.

Black Creek Park's Rails to Trails Now Complete

If you're familiar with this blog, then over the last couple of weeks, you've likely become familiar a new trail system in the North Jefferson County area. The City of Fultondale has undertaken a Rails-to-Trails project, whereby a former railroad line was been converted into a trail for walkers, runners, and bicyclers (motorized vehicles are prohibited).

The trail begins at Black Creek Park in Fultondale and runs about 3.5 miles to Shady Grove Road. There are markers every half mile and will be benches placed at those markers as well. Over the last several weeks, I've been on the trail either walking, running, or hiking, about a half-dozen times, and I couldn't be more excited about this development, so close to home. Darby's pretty excited too.

Rails to Trails, Darby in her Element, Fultondale

Darby seems to really be in her element cruising the newly completed 

Rails to Trails walking trail, near Black Creek Park, in Fultondale, Alabama.

This and other photos of Darby and her escapades can be found on her Gallery, here.