Wednesday, March 25, 2009

To the Fen, again! (SWF)

Where do I go when I miss that squish?
To the Fen!
Again!

Common Cattail, Typha latifolia

Where, even in this dry spring, coolness seeps through the slats of a plastic boardwalk trail, winding its way across this wetland, fed from below by a shallow aquifer.

Beyond its boundaries, what must be vernal pools—for I hear wood frogs calling strongly in the distance, even in the daylight of this warm afternoon.
These woods of the fen, though, are mostly quiet, and I walk past the large pools of dark water, so still and reflective, hugging the tall, wide trunks of the Cottonwood trees.


Until, at the edge, I step out into a stand of Cattails, and the sleepy, slow pace of the woods is left behind. From all around, wild excitement, as Red-winged Blackbirds noisily call in the sunshine. And masses of slender, brightly colored stems, explode with flowers both dainty and bold.

Their feet in cool, clean water--Pussy willows.
The exuberance of one who will never know thirst.










all photos enlarge with a click


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21 comments:

Barb said...

Pussy Willow - my favorite. Lovely post - thank you.

cestoady said...

Do you suppose that PUSSY Willows are distantly related to CAT Tails ? And then there are PUSSY Toes, another plant,closer to the ground and brave enough to escape the wetland where it does know and survive thirst. Lovely post with a definite feline cast.

bobbie said...

Beautiful post and pictures. I haven't heard the word "fen" in years.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Cestoady--I completely overlooked the feline theme of this post--thank you fro being so observant!

Aren't the colors on their flowers remarkably bright?

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the perfect place to soothe the soul and wet the feet - a great combination!

Louise said...

What beautiful signs of spring!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, refreshing post!

Guy D said...

Visiting your blog never disappoints, these shots are fantastic.

Have a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Carletta said...

Spring is certainly budding out all over!
The last two are my favorites.

My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.

Anonymous said...

Your words- a blessing this morning..every shot captivating!

bowledover said...

Willows at this time of the year bring so much pleasure to us all.
Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

so beautiful each and every photo...and i do so like the pussy willows and cat tails ^..^

Photo Cache said...

I am a big fan of your photography and your blog.

A Scattering said...

ah yes......spring! Beautiful photos.

Lona said...

The cat tails are so pretty giving way to spring and the growth of the pussy willows. Very nice shots.

Arménia Baptista said...

Very nice photos.... Here in Portugal, we have the same plants...we use to call them "rocket" (Cattail) and "lamb" (Pussy willows).

:))

Arija said...

I love pussy willows! They are one of the earliest signs of spring.

Spices of Life said...

Love the photos and you showed us how wonderful it will be on spring...


Check out mine too:

HISTORY of SUPERNOVA and SWEETPAIN
ANGELS IN MY LIFE
SPICES OF LIFE

Anonymous said...

this is hilarious.. love all the photos you shared... happy friday

Anonymous said...

Very nice photos! I wish the pussy willow grew here.

My Skywatch:
Full Moon Sunset

Tink *~*~* said...

I've been sitting here for ten minutes watching your hummingbird nest slide show :) I think I'm addicted!

TGIF!
Tink *~*~*
Fort Myers Beach Moon