Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Dancing

Dwarf Lake Iris


The morning fog lifts to reveal a roadside filled with small flowers, each thin green leaf glowing brightly and bearing a dewdrop that glistens beside its showy purple bloom.
Barely tall enough to cover the toe of my boot, this carpet of a hundred small faces turned to the sky rolls up and over the open space.




Scattered at their edge, where the rocky trail yields to a dense cedar and spruce forest, brilliant, winged, pink flowers snuggle close to the base of the aromatic trees.

Fringed Milkwort


I see a yellow slipper peeking from beneath the shaded grove.
This is northern Michigan,
and I believe this must be where I left my dancing shoes.


Yellow Lady's Slipper



I've just returned from a fabulous weekend workshop in Presque Isle County, Michigan.
Hosted by the NettieBay Lodge and led by Jim McCormac, we combed the countryside from the shore of Lake Huron to the Ocqueoc River and all that is between them. Fens and fields, wetlands and woods...and young forests of Jack Pine...there is a richness here that many have never seen.
And plenty of dancing shoes, if you've misplaced yours.

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5 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I have read Jim's post about this place. It is a must see for sure. The UP is one of my favorite places. It is other worldly. Just seeing your photos makes me want to go there. I am sure that is where my slippers are since I can't seem to find them.

bobbie said...

So very lovely.

Murr Brewster said...

I always get warmed up by the smile of your salamander buddy on the right, and it carries right through. Today's unexpected pleasure: the words "fringed milkwort." I could look at those two words together for hours.

Most of what is lovable is right beneath our feet.

KaHolly said...

I am always humbled by your posts. Your gift for words is matched only by your beautiful accompanying photos. This looks to be a wonderful place. But if YOU were posting about it, I'll bet the local dump would appear to be worth a visit. Well done~karen

vasanthalathika said...

beautiful words and beautiful snaps..with regards.,vasanthalathika[this is a sanskrit word.it means creeper in spring]