An Island in the Lake

Posted on by Hanna

Oh! Look Daddy. There’s an island out there and the father replied: Then we have to have a boat to get there don’t we …and the little boy agreed with a sigh sending a long gaze towards the little intriguing island.
But I could have told the English family a story that would make the boy insist to stay put to darkness fell.
Some years ago I was on my way home from work in the late afternoon. The day had been very warm and all living beings craved for coolness.
I drove in through the big red gate when I saw two large stags going into the water that encircles the small island. They walked at first and then began to swim. I was all alone not a soul was in sight.  Somehow that increased the experience
I forgot everything around me while the stags went ashore on the island and broke the silence in trying to close down the few trees growing there.
The high bang when the antlers struck the trunks made me think of teenagers partying on Saturday night except that it was Friday and no music was heard.
I was completely absorbed by the scenario when twilight suddenly surprised me.
Now I wanted to get out of the forest before it was completely dark, and I began my ride towards the hunting lodge. There were still no people, and the late summer evening was quiet.
But suddenly I could hear small ‘mib’ ‘mib’ ‘mib’ ‘mib’ sounds. This was very exotic, and I felt myself transported to the African savannah. The heat of summer, fragrances and smells that flowed towards me from warm grasses and animals, and now I saw in silhouette against the evening sky and the hunting lodge a giant herd of animals passing in front of me. I stood there and enjoyed it to the full. The herd grazed nudge and struggled. Lambs and calves called with ‘mib’ ‘mib’ sounds after their mother. The experience was unique and is easy to recall in my mind and heart.
I changed my bike ride home  to residential streets 🙂

Jægersborg Dyrehave

Nøj! Se far, der er en ø ude i søen, og faderen svarer: Så er vi nødt til at bruge en båd for at komme derud, ikke … den lille dreng sukker dybt og sender et langt blik mod den lille fascinerende ø. Men jeg kunne have fortalt den engelske familie en historie, der havde fået drengen til at insistere på at blive til mørket faldt på.

For nogle år siden var jeg på vej hjem fra arbejde en sen eftermiddag. Dagen havde været meget varm og alle levende væsener tørstede efter kølighed.

Da jeg kørte ind gennem den store røde port, så jeg to store hjorte gå ud i vandet, der omkranser den lille ø. Først tøvende og derefter begyndte de at svømme. Jeg var helt alene og ikke en sjæl var i syne, det gjorde kun oplevelsen mere intens.

Jeg glemte alt omkring mig, mens hjortene gik i land på øen og brød stilheden i et forsøg på at fælde de få træer, der vokser der.

De høje brag der kom, når geviret slog mod stammerne fik mig til at tænke på teenagere, som fester lørdag aften kun med den undtagelse, at det var fredag og ingen musik.

Jeg var helt opslugt af scenariet, da tusmørket overraskede mig.

Nu ville jeg ud af skoven, før det blev helt mørkt, og jeg kørte op mod Erimitageslottet. Der var stadigvæk ingen mennesker, og sensommer aftenen var helt stille.

Men pludselig kunne jeg høre små ‘mib’ ‘mib’ ‘mib’ ‘mib’ lyde. Det lød meget eksotisk, og jeg følte mig hensat til den afrikanske savanne. Dufte og lugte strømmede imod mig fra varme græsser og dyr, og nu så jeg i silhuet mod aftenhimlen og Eremitageslottet en kæmpe flok dyr passere foran mig.
Jeg stod der, og nød det i fulde drag. Flokken græssede puffede skubbede og sloges på skrømt.
Lam og kalve kaldte med ‘mib’ ‘mib’ lyde efter deres mor. Oplevelsen var helt enestående og er god at huske ❤

Min cykeltur hjem blev ændret til de oplyste villaveje 🙂

27 thoughts on “An Island in the Lake”

  2. Hanna, you have a way with words and pictures. I was captivated by your story, and the images are superb.
    All the best, Alen

    • Lovely to hear from you, Alen. That was a very nice thing to say thank you. Some experiences are always easy to recall and that late afternoon is one of them. Hopefully everything is okay with you down in the sun.
      All the best,
      Hanna

  4. You always delight me with your gorgeous photographs and stories, Hanna! Your posts always make me smile. Such beautiful shots and lovely words. Thank you! 🙂

  5. Dear Hanna, reading your story I felt transported back to our safari in Africa. I guess, it doesn’t matter, how exotic the location, it’s being so near to wildlife that makes those moments magic. Love, Peggy

    • I’m very happy to hear from you, Peggy ❤ The wildlife is so extremely intriguing if you 'melt' in to the surroundings. Yesterday we had high wind and from time to time one could get soaking wet. I stood still in front of a herd lying close to the path just watching their behaviour. I actually came to think of the autobiographical book Out of Africa written by Karen Blixen and of course the beautiful film with Meryl Streep acting as Karen Blixen. That's the closest I've been to Africa. It must have been amazing being there.
      Keep in touch,
      Hanna

      • Yes, both of them have a very evocative atmosphere and a kind of ‘voice over’. I think Karen Blixen’s soul is somehow captivated in both 🙂
        I had a highly intense afternoon once visiting her home in Rungsted. Her home now stands as a museum and the park surrounding it is an adventure. Huge trees and birds nesting. Flowers everywhere. Thanks for reminding me about it, Peggy 🙂

    • Leo, su comentario me hace feliz. El día era excepcional y siempre voy a mantenerlo en mi corazón.
      All the best,
      Hanna

  10. It is interesting to watch them but not safe enough. Apparently, animals are no longer afraid of human because no one hunts them. Here in Canada raccoons, squirrels, rabbits are surprised when you want to startle and let them go from your backyard. 🙂

    • Hi Alexander. In Jaegersborg Deer Park, the animals are accustomed to people, but they are not tame. If they become tame they are shot immediacy. One of the worst thing you can do is if you come between a mother and her lame and there has been accidents in the park.
      You are right about what happens when animals are hunted.
      All the best,
      Hanna

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