Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
That’s Ochre!
The first time I heard the word ‘ochre’ I was playing scrabble with my mother. When she placed the tiles on the board I laughed and she said, ‘it’s a real word – a color – look it up.’ I was doubtful but gave her the points.
According to Wikipedia, “Ochre or ocher is a natural clay earth pigment which is a mixture of ferric oxide and varying amounts of clay and sand. It ranges in color from yellow to deep orange or brown. It is also the name of the colors produced by this pigment, especially a light brownish-yellow. A variant of ochre containing a large amount of hematite, or dehydrated iron oxide, has a reddish tint known as “red ochre”.
Well that certainly narrows it down! 🙂
So for Sunday Still’s Challenge, Ochre I’ll give you my best shot at ochre, from photos taken last week.
On our recent drive over Washington Pass we were surrounded by colors of ochre in the mountains and golden larches.
At Coulon Park I found leaves turning colors of ochre everywhere.
Finally, on yesterday’s visit to Nolte State Park,
Deep Lake absorbed the surrounding colors of ochre and reflected them back while my husband practiced casting.
And that’s all for today’s dose of Ochre.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Isn’t ochre an amazing color, especially since its range is so broad? You captured it perfectly, Susanne! They are all gorgeous but that last reflection is breathtaking! We will be in Spokane this Tuesday as we haul up another load of furniture and boxes. I can’t wait to see the fall colors and enjoy some cold temps! California is too warm (try packing it into a truck in 90-degree temps)!
Thank you so much for your comment! I wasn’t quite sure if I really understood what ochre was but it seemed to me to be everywhere this fall! And welcome to Washington State! You’re going to love it! 🙂
On a top ten list of “most overlooked words”, this is fighting for a top spot!
Right? I don’t think I’ve ever used it in a sentence before today! 😉
I remember my aunt teaching me that word when I was about eight and she was making up a song with many colors in it. I loved having a chance to remember back to that evening.
I love how a word can trigger a wonderful memory.
Red ochre was often used in prehistoric burials – many graves including the “Mound Builders” had the bodies or bones sprinkled with red ochre, so in many societies it had some symbolic importance.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 I didn’t know that.
Clever post, Susanne! You combined memories of playing Scrabble and the education received when hearing a new word. I don’t think I’ve ever thought about the word ochre, other than when my husband uses it in one of his drawings or paintings. You have taken it and added another layer to my thoughts about fall color.
Thanks so much for your comment! I can’t hear the word without thinking of that scrabble game long ago! And after trying to understand it and find pictures to portray it, it’s now permanently etched in my mind. 😊
Fashion in the 1970s made great use of that colour range, everything from dresses and suits, to crockery and kitchen accessories. Looking back now, it seemed drab, but nature displays it far better.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks Pete! I hadn’t thought of that! I agree nature displays color the best. 😊
Never let it be said that your blog isn’t educational! Beautiful pictures, and looks like we have lots of ochre over here on the dry side.
Yes, let’s of ochre on the east side! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
Love the photos! And you’re right, the word “ochre” does come in handy for Scrabble, and also for those iPad games where you have to spell as many words as you can with the letters you are given.
Thanks! It’s always good to have an obscure word up your sleeve! I😊