Thursday, August 27, 2009

In the midst (SWF)

East Fork Lake
November 2008

East Fork Lake looks different now.
No longer the slumbering giant, lurking beneath last fall’s fog, left one morning as a bitter night dropped its chill onto warmer water, and hurried off toward dawn.

We paddled back, as far as the creek would allow, onto a wide gravel bar, covered densely with water-willow, side to side. The blooms now gone, the leaves stained with mud from summer rains that flood this plain. And after searching for a path across it and finding none deep enough to ride upon, sat to rest in the shade of a sycamore—leaving Red Canoe caught on the rocky bottom, waiting within view.

Across the expanse of water-willow, clear, small pools—constantly refreshed by a layer of rushing water, inches deep, dotted the field of green.
Crayfish scurried ahead of my feet, disappearing backward beneath the flat rocks, until only the scarlet tips of their pincers could be seen.
Small fish snuggled in to my sandals.
And damselflies a brilliant red, darted and dashed, waiting and chasing.
And I with my camera, stood in their midst.

American Water-willow, Justicia americana

American Rubyspot damselfy, Hetaerina americana
male above, female below




Spotted Sandpiper (?)

Double-crested Cormorant


See more Skywatch here.

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16 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Truly beautiful shots! Glad to see you've visited Washington! We do have incredible beauty here that's hard to beat!

Enjoy your weekend!

Sylvia

Photo Cache said...

I keep forgetting how much I enjoy your posts, both the text and the images.

annalarssonphotography said...

Gorgeous shots!
Have a nice weekend :)

Deborah Godin said...

Wonderful shots of the pond dwellers. I wonder, do the orchids resemble water-striders, or vice versa!

Jane Hards Photography said...

For me it's the cormorant, such a beautiful shore bird.

Robin said...

Oh! I love the Cormorant!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I love seeing different damselflies. Happy SWF.

abb said...

What beautiful photos of a magical place. Love your first shot of the mist on the lake edge. It's magical!

Anonymous said...

The lyrical poetry of your writing and your photos go hand in hand.

Joe Todd said...

Thanks for sharing your special place

texasnascarcowgirl said...

wonderful, wonderful shots!

Heather said...

I can just imagine you standing there, among all these beautiful things, happily capturing them all with your camera.
Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks at MBS!

~Visions~ said...

These are really beautiful shots. I love the mist coming off the lake!

Appalachian Lady said...

I like the shot of the damselfly--so delicate. Great photos!

Wisata Ciamis said...

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Mary said...

Nina,

Exquisite.

Mary