Last summer’s silver remnant,
this weathered stem of goldenrod, long passed,
tolerant of the youngster’s questioning.
Patiently waiting,
as arms reach, fingers probe.
Between the two,
a spider.
Who, thinking I envy his catch,
tucks himself quickly behind.
Then, remembers
some things are worth fighting for.
Like the ant,
who carelessly climbed
the silver summer stem
beneath the vine.
Come along in Red Canoe as she explores the quiet backwater of Ohio's State Parks and the scenic streams and rivers of the Midwest. Discover the beauty hidden beyond the water's edge, quietly waiting, past access points, often only inches deep!
Come browse my photography site, Nature Remains: nothing but a photograph, for full-page slide shows of my favorite images and opportunities to purchase them.
In Spring of 2008, I began the study of 2 vernal pools on my property as part of the Ohio Vernal Pool Partnership monitoring program.
My 2008 journal includes the first photos and findings, as I studied this fascinating wetland area just a few steps beyond my backdoor...
2009 photos and findings,
2010,... again!
Now, 4 years later, another season is just days away!
Travel beyond the Midwest has taken me to some beautiful places. Usually off the beaten track, these places are WILD!
Acadia National Park
New River Nature Festival
Olympic National Park
Pictured Rocks and the UP
Voyageurs National Park
(click on the text above each photo for a quick get-away)
A regularly appearing feature, "Have you seen..." takes a closer, more patient look at things usually not seen in a flattering light.
Take a look!
Each spring, as winter lessens its grip and days warm with the first fragrant breezes of a new season, we collect sap from our Sugar Maples and produce just enough syrup for ourselves for the coming year.
The progress of this year's backyard endeavor is illustrated here.
Summer 2008, the tiny jewel of the avian world, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, nested just feet from my front door. Pictures of her nest and the changing lives within are collected in this journal.
From life the size of a pea....
Cats that come to stay
(click on the text above each photo for stories in these collections)
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18 comments:
I wonder how high the vine would climb if it had a strong enough support to wind around?
Stimulating. Your words are always well selected and perched upon nature's pillow so beautifully. Hope all is well. Have a great day.
This is beautiful...lovely interplay of words and photos...
Words and music - the music being the photos: Excellent!
A small drama of stem and vine, spider and prey wonderfully rendered into photos and words. Great macro shot!
This poem is so musical and fits perfectly with the photos. I love how the tendrils of the vine just embrace the stalk.
Words wrapping round the vine is sublime.
Your words always complement your images so beautifully Nina ! What a gift you have.
Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing...
Beautiful shots. But the last one, how interesting that you caught it in action.
The pictures of the vine climbing the old stem would have been enough, but the little story was enchanting!
What a creative soul you have!
A wonderful poem, made even more vivid by the photos illustrating it. You are so creative, Nina! And patient, too, to get these excellent shots.
Dear Nina,
I look forward to ABC Wednesday and your posts.
The relationships in Nature are always interesting. Your view always inspiring.
Thank you.
Sherry
Nina, your story - perfect! You are working your macro so well. I wonder how close you were to that jumping spider. I'm not that brave.
Mary
As always, a lovely blog to visit. Excellent photos and narrative.
I wonder if soldiers in battle ever think about their surroundings. Do they ever see the vines growing up trees or flowers blooming? Or do they, most probably, concentrate on the battle before them.
This is too cool. How strange is that little guy?
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