Selected for Removal

First of all, let me apologize for my absence and lack of diligence in maintaining this blog to anyone who may have actually followed it or noticed.  Work requirements and life in general through the summer have interfered with, well, life in general.  I should be moving into a new work routine that may or may not offer a more structured setting and let me get back to the things I love to do in life.

I did manage to get out to one of my favorite haunts today; more just to get out, than for anything else.  The cool spell we are having in late summer is a welcome relief and made for a very pleasurable and soul renewing experience.

I know I've said this before, but I still wonder about the purpose of some of God's creatures on this earth.  Take the Emerald Ash Borer.  A small insect.  A beautiful insect.  But what it has done to the beautiful ash trees in this part of the country is devastating.  The preserve I visited today has, or had many beautiful ash trees, before the Emerald Ash Borer moved into this area.  The effect has been unbelievable and irreparable.  Many trees are dead or dying.  40 trees have been selected for removal from the preserve because of the possible danger they impose on visitors.  Many more, that pose no danger, will be left because of the only positive effect the Borers have.  When the ash tree dies, it quickly dries and becomes brittle (hence the danger to visitors from possible falling branches or whole trees).  The affect of drying causes the bark to loosen and separate from the tree.  This creates cavities that offer roosting places for the endangered Indiana Bat.  So the dead trees that are being left will provide a good habitat and support to another of God's creatures.

Still it saddens me to see so many wonderful trees gone in an environment that is so fragile to begin with.  I wonder what the loss of these trees will do to this place.  I may never know what changes happen here because of this, in my lifetime.  But, I will continue to visit and support it, as best I can, for as long as I can.

Small Meadow Pond

Spring is a fascinating time.  It's a time of rebirth and growth; not only in the natural world.  Bright colors seem to catch everyone's eye in Springtime.  The fresh new under growth, the bright wildflower blossoms, or the flowering Dogwoods and Redbuds.  Colors don't always show themselves in all the normal places.  You have to look for them.  They might have to come from within.  The colors are ALWAYS there.  Just might have to look at the big picture to find them.

Woodland Brothel

Slowly but surely, the signs of Spring are appearing in the woods.  New green leaves are poking through the decaying leaves.  Buds on the under brush are beginning to swell.  Warblers and flocks of Robins flitter about the woods, proclaiming their right to this area or that tree.  And the Vernal Pools are forming.  Within these "singles bars" of the woodlands, many of the amphibians of our area are busy gettin busy.  The frogs and toads will become more vocal in the days ahead.  Salamanders will chase one and other looking for a willing breeding partner.  The eggs sacks will start to appear, and the circle of life will continue for some of our seldom seen woodland creatures.

A Lonely Path

The transition between late winter and early spring is a difficult time.  As humans, we want it now.  We want spring to be here.  We crave the warming sun, the spring wildflowers, the change to better times.  Nature does not care what we want.  She will do things in her own fashion as she has done them for eons.  She is waking the woods.  The signs are there.  But it awakens slowly, as it should, as the time is right.  No need to rush these things.

(Side Note - this image was made four days before the vernal equinox.  Even though it was almost spring, the woods had a very "fall like" feel to it.)

Recycled

Nature has a way of reminding us of how fragile life actually is.  The message is always there for those who care to notice.  Every time I venture into the woods, I see the cycles of nature.  The beginnings and the ends.  If there are, truly ends.  For it is an endless cycle.  Nature recycles everything.  When something dies, or a season changes, what remains behind is recycled into something else that causes life to begin again.  It is a cycle that has served the planet quite well for eons, until man came along and tried to change the cycle.

Come On Springtime!

Spring is coming!  Even as the ice, snow and cold haggles for more time in our lives, spring is coming.  Mid-winter can be a depressing time.  The days are cold and gray.  Time seems to pass slowly.  The sun holds too close to the horizon to provide much warmth.  But, if you are brave enough to venture forth, from the warm, comfortable and somewhat secure homes that we make for ourselves, we find that nature is ready to awaken.  She is ready for SPRING!  The sun is actually warming the landscape.  Birds are singing.  Spirits are rising.  And plants are growing and thriving, and pushing their way through the ice that remains where they live.  You can't stop progress in the natural world.  Come on, Springtime!

Winter Gray

With everything being so cold and gray outside, I've been longing for something green.  Since finding that in the outdoors at this moment is unlikely, I started going back through my image archives to see if I could find something to cheer me up and and maybe re-work, that would feel warm and sunny.  In the end, I decided to go with a little different feeling in this image, just because.  I think the leaves of this tree/bush (I can't remember what it's actually called) lend themselves to black and white.  I'm not sure what emotion I'm feeling when I look at this final version, but it's definitely different from what I felt in the original.  Here's to a little winter green....uh....gray.

The New Year

My first venture back to the woods, of this new year, did not reveal anything surprising.  It was a beautiful day with sunshine and temperatures in the mid 40s.  Deer were moving about, but kept their distance.  One small buck made a mad dash away when he felt I had gotten a little too close.  Squirrels scurried about the leaf covered forest floor as they always do.  Redtails watched from the tops of trees and glided effortlessly in the wind when they flew.  Their raspy call fills me with a sense of being in the wild and that I am not alone.  I like the woods in winter, as well as every season, really.  The winter woods is open, exposing all of it's secret places that cannot be easily found when it is awake and alive with thick green leaves.  I find it interesting being able to see further back into previously unseen areas and knowing now, what is there.  As near as I can tell, the woods is resting peacefully and will begin to awaken soon.  I'll be ready, whenever it is.

Crossings

Bridges are wonderful things.  They help us to go places.  They also help us to leave places and cross over things.  Sometimes, they are the only path available.  Crossing bridges; maybe there IS, something better on the other side.

A Brighter Path

We all follow paths through our lives.  Some offer a clear direction; others, not so much.  Sometimes, a path presents itself that is quite unexpected.  The path looks brighter, warmer and, just kinda seems right.  Starting down this new path is exhilarating.  Every footstep, more intriguing than the last.  Let's see where this path goes.

The Restful Woods

The cool, heavy air makes things quieter in the woods.  With the pungent smell of decaying leaves, the sound of squirrels scurrying through the leaves gathering nuts for winter, the north wind and an impending rain, I can tell that Autumn has us firmly in it's grasp. You can hear a single leaf fall from the tree all the way to ground if you listen hard enough.  Yes, the woods is going to sleep.  Sleep well my friend.  I'll check on you from time to time, until you awaken again.

Family

Friends come from many different places.  Family comes from just as many places.  New family can come into your life unexpectedly.

I remember the night this little "Rat" adopted my family.  He showed up at our door step, barking and jumping high enough that I could see him through the door window.  Being dog lovers and having two little girls at the time, there was no way he was getting "shooed" away or left out in the cold.  We tried to find his owner, but no one answered the adds and no one from the neighborhood recognized him.  So, he moved in, just like he had lived here all his life.  He couldn't have weighed more than 8 pounds but had the personality and attitude of a 80 pound Rottweiler.  I think he had been abused because he was very skiddish at times and was very sensitive about being touched on his side.  But he was so loving and friendly, I can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt him.

I loved the way he would tunnel under a blanket to stay warm.  He did not like the snow, especially when it was deeper than he was tall.  But he still patrolled the yard to make sure no one had interfered with his domain.  Any time I was in the recliner, watching TV or napping, he had to be right beside me.  When he wanted his neck rubbed, he would sit up with his  front legs on my chest.  Then he would bow his head, as if he was praying while he thoroughly enjoyed his neck massage.  And he always found a sunbeam to lay in to keep warm.  Feeding time was always an exciting time too.  I've never seen a dog get so excited.  He would jump constantly, a couple of feet or more off the ground, until I had his bowl set on the floor for him.  Then the food would be gone before he even tasted it.

Such great love in a small little being.

Yes, family can come into your life unexpectedly.  It can also leave it, just as unexpectedly.

Rest in peace, my little rat buddy.  I'll have a treat for you next time I see you.

Enjoying the View

I know I've said it before, but Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me.  Here we are in one of the worst droughts in many years and she throws me a curve ball.

I went out to the Fen the other night.  As I walked back and came up over the hill overlooking the lower fen, I was greeted with so much amazing color.  I almost couldn't believe it.  I continued around the edge and down into the fen, stopping to examine all the different varieties of late summer bloomers.  Once I finally reached the spot I was going to, I just stood there and took it all in.  So many colors, everywhere.  I don't think I've seen an explosion of color here, like this, at any other time of the year.  As I stood there in amazement, thinking it couldn't get any better, it did.

This little six point wandered out on the far side, about 130 yards away from me.  Luckily, I had one of my longer zooms already mounted.  I snapped away furiously while he let me.  The distance and the diminishing light gave me all the challenge I could handle, especially while handholding.  When he turned and moved up the hill out of site, without even flagging, all I could think was, Wow!

Ultimate Breakfast

This snapshot may look like a simple breakfast of fried tators with onions, biscuits and gravy, and it is.  But good sausage gravy doesn't just happen.  It takes time, practice and patience to make it right.  And a good teacher is a big help too.  Yea, it's a simple, hardy breakfast, and much more.  It's a memory.  Many memories as a matter of fact, that come back every time I make this.  Memories of times spent with good friends in wonderful places doing things that we loved to do and lived for.  Also the memory of a Man who was our camp cook at many a deer camp.  He is more than just a camp cook.  He is a teacher, a guide, a mentor and a good friend.  He is the one who taught me how to make good sausage gravy.  Always a smiling face.  Always a good story or tale to tell, about life, past experiences and laughter.  Always, living life to it's fullest.  I haven't seen this man for a couple of years, and that's a shame.  He was a big influence on many aspects of my life, and I need to rectify the absence.

Here's to you Pedro, the ultimate breakfast!  Thanks for the memories.

Summertime Beauty

 

I think I like the summertime wildflowers best.  There is always something in bloom, somewhere, and usually several varieties at once that compliment each other with their colors.  Spring is definitely my favorite time of the year.  The wildflowers are beautiful and fairly predictable.  Summer tends to bring a little more unpredictability, to me.  Take this beauty for instance.  It is a Blackberry Lily.  I've never seen it before this season, even though there were dozens of them blooming in a place I frequent quite often.  I suppose it was meant to be on an evening like this one.  With Barred Owls calling from the tree line across the field, and deer jumping and blowing at almost every turn in the trail, how could I not expect to find something new and unusual to finish off this beautiful summer day.

Summer Sunset

 

I love the view from my backyard.  Especially on a cooler summer evening when Mother Nature brings all of her elements together.  The nice soft breeze from the north-west; slow moving, interesting clouds in the sky; the colors of the setting sun highlighting everything that it touches.  If it weren't for the sounds of cars and shopping carts at my friendly neighborhood Wally World, it might be perfect.  As the sunset gives way to the moon and stars and planets, and the noise gives way to the sounds of Katydids and Crickets singing through the night, I have to wonder, who else is enjoying Mother Nature's symphony tonight.

Rushing Waters

 

I love moving water.  Sitting by a small rushing stream or creek is one of the most relaxing things I can think of.  So many sensations to experience and refresh.  The sounds of the water as it moves past, over the rocks, the birds singing, the leaves rustling in the breeze, the coolness of the air, and the never ending patterns of the water itself.  Even as the water rushes by, as life also does, time seems to freeze for a while in moments like these.

Early Summer

As true summer gains it's foothold on the area, walks in the woods and fens become more adventurous.  Not only can the heat and humidity zap your strength, but the mosquitoes and deer flies will zap your blood.  These nuisances are but slight obstacles to be overcome so that the peace, tranquility and coolness of the inner woods can be found.  Color is scarce except for the infinite shades of green.  But it is there if you look for it.  If you live in the moment, the moments that matter will find you.

Grass Pink Orchid

In my last post, I mentioned that I was going out to a special place for the afternoon.  It's the time of year when the orchids bloom and a tour was being done to show them off.  This place is a State Nature Preserve and is highly protected because of it's fragile nature and many threatened and endangered species.  It is open to the public, as it should be.  There is an extensive boardwalk network covering just over a mile that leads visitors through all the different micro-environments of the "Bog".  Visitors are REQUIRED to stay on the boardwalk to protect the various species, some of which date back to the ice ages.  The trouble is, that some people just cannot help themselves and will venture off the boardwalk to get a closer look at some of the more interesting species, ie: rare orchids in bloom.

The paths are very noticeable, which I'm sure encourages more people to venture where they shouldn't.  The damage is not as noticeable, but it is done.  Plants are trampled.  Some rare.  Some possibly endangered.  When I went back out on a week night to make this image, the paths were even more extensive.  The worst part was that it was clear that some of the orchids had been taken.  They won't last but a day or two and the plants will not grow without their perfect environment.  So they are lost forever.  What these people are doing is not only illegal but also immoral.

As a nature photographer, I feel a responsibility to the land, plants and animals I photograph.  I photograph them to preserve them in my images.  Most people who take photographs do the same thing and SHOULD feel that same responsibility.  These wonderful plants, animals and places help give us the joy of practicing our craft.  Of expressing ourselves in this art form.  We owe it to them to help preserve their homes and environments.

It has been said to "take only pictures and leave only footprints."  Well, even footprints are unacceptable in some places.  Please don't be one of, THOSE, people.

Understated Beauty

I'm heading out to one of my favorite places this afternoon.  It is a wondrous place of delicate, understated beauty.  I would imagine, a lot of people who go there miss so many things the first few times they walk the boardwalks.  After the senses become attuned to the surroundings, it will suck you in and bring you back many times through the years and different seasons.  It is an ever changing place.  A true gem to be preserved for ALL, future generations.