Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Hungry Lake

Twelve-mile Beach,
Lake Superior

Waves tugging at the sand beside the broad blue of Superior, with great effort she lifted herself-- each labored step, dragging her clumsy body a bit further, beyond their reach onto the otherwise empty, windblown edge of Michigan’s Twelve-mile Beach.
Knocked off the breeze carrying her in carefree flight above its lapping waters by a long, curling tongue of this hungry lake, she’d escaped a watery death.
But, wings now heavy with droplets, she could not rise from the smooth, wet sand.

Green Darner dragonfly, female

As the grains dissolved from beneath each tiny, clawed foot, I stooped and lifted her onto my finger and walked with her, while the wind dried her transparent wings.
I left her to rest on a strand of beach grass beside the great lake, which boasts of many victories--having devoured so many, so great.
While her insatiable hunger goes on, I stole this dragonfly from her plate.



windswept sand


(click to enlarge)


Twelve-mile Beach


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22 comments:

Digital Flower Pictures said...

i am always fascinated with the
great lakes.

Sylvia K said...

Your shots are fabulous! I, too, am fascinated by Lake Superior in particular. My daughter and her husband took me there when I was visiting them in Michigan and there is just a feeling there that mesmerized me and your shots really recaptured that feeling!

Have a lovely weekend!

Sylvia

Maria said...

What a beautiful story~ Gorgeous photos... and WHAT A LAKE!
~Maria

Susan Ellis said...

Nice writing...I love how you took her from Nature's plate..small victories add up.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I could almost hear the waves lapping the sand in the first photo. The intricacies of the dragonfly's wing are marvelous in the enlarged photo. Happy SWF.

Arija said...

Nina, you must feel like a heroine of legend t have stolen so precious a morsel from the all devouring monster.
Glorious shots of the lake, the soft sand, light, sky and the exhausted dragonfly'

Usually it is the damsel being plucked fron the jaws of the dragon, not the the dragon being saved by the damsel.

Light and Voices said...

Your photos of Lake Superior mesmerized me.
Joyce-Illinois

Anonymous said...

As a natural scientist, I am always wary about being involved in the lives of the organisms I am studying. But, your efforts are noble!

Rinkly Rimes said...

Not the place where one would expect to find a dragon-fly, but the two aspects of nature blend beautifully.

Gaelyn said...

Lake Superior has devoured many. How good of you to save this colorful dragonfly and in return it gives you great macros showing much detail. DaVince would have loved digital. The sky looks so blue over the lake and wind blown sand. Excellent post and captures.

Larry D said...

Great photos!

Debra said...

Lake Superior is gorgeous! I love the the wind blown sand and the first and last pictures are lovely!

RuthieJ said...

oh, I would love to hold a dragonfly on my finger like that some day.

Unknown said...

She is a powerful and mesmerizing lake. My favorite one. You captured her beautifully. Thank you.

Nova said...

looks like your in a paradise... love your shot...

Arija said...

Nina, if you care to op over, there is a little something for you on my blog.

Arija said...

Nina, if you care to pop over, there is a little something for you on my blog.

Grizz………… said...

Oh, my…a beach I've walked so many times, beside the greatest of the lakes. Your recent posts have been like going home for a visit.

I'm glad you rescued the dragonfly. Actively caring beats dispassionate observation any day.

Wendy said...

That beach is amazing! And I love the dragonflies.

Mel said...

Beautiful as usual!
Lovely dragonfly :)
Hugs from Peru!
Mel

Rambling Woods said...

I came via Arija's blog looking at (my) 'Green Thinker' award.. I guess it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that I saw a green darner about 2 weeks ago as we had some warmer weather. I couldn't catch it with the camera, but I think that is what it was... Michelle

Caitlin said...

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. Your photographs are lovely as well.
Caitlin