Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Tripping over Jellyfish


It’s a dangerous combination, intrigue in the natural world and the pursuit of something beautiful.
For, the more I explore, the more I find I must capture.

The simplest walk around the block, the most ordinary drive to the store can become an adventure, often taking me hours to complete and sometimes, leading me so far from my originally intended destination, that I trade in my plans for the day and slip into the world of the naturalist/photographer, once again.

Often, I’m alone in my adventuring—around the trails on our property and out to the local preserves.
It’s no one’s time but my own.
And I return, pleased to have found what I’m after.



But in journeying further, we adventure together.
And much is given in order that I may spend time.
A day’s drive consists of many stops.
Patient waiting.
Wondering.
Will we ever get where we’re going?



Last week, we took the Edmonds Kingston ferry from Seattle, across to the Olympic Peninsula. In the 62-mile drive from there to the Park’s entrance, we stopped for 60 photos.

Bright orange flowers scattered through the brown roadside grasses.
Trees with smooth red bark, that peeled to reveal silky green beneath.
And a very large pink Jellyfish--washed onto the pebble beach, and caught in lapping waves.


Intriguing.
And beautiful.
And found along the way.


California Poppies

pebble beach, Sequim

Pacific Madrone, Arbutus menziesii

Lion's Mane Jellyfish



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28 comments:

bobbie said...

Nina, your photos are so beautiful. I know what you mean. It is so easy to become lost and time is simply irrelevant when you are intent on your quest.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

It's good to have a patient companion! I too understand being lost in time.
Beautiful jelly- I've never seen one although I learned from scienceguy288 that there are fresh water jellies here in Minnesota!

NCmountainwoman said...

Great photographs and narrative. Brings to mind the old saying, "The journey is the destination."

Cicero Sings said...

My husband is very patient with me and my pictures! Sometimes he points things out himself. He is intrigued by "the finds" when they are blown up on the screen ... to reveal things that the eye would not have seen otherwise. A short walk can take me hours too.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You are my kind of traveler. I love to stop and absorb these beautiful snapshots of nature. One might not get by there again. It would be a shame to miss them. After all that is what vacation is all about...slowing down, enjoying onesself and new surroundings.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

I tend to take on the kid-in-the-candystore appearance when we travel.
Wide-eyed and awestruck for long periods.
After all, as you say, there is so much to see that may never been seen (by me) again.
I'm up for it!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

I'm tentative on the Lion's Mane ID--it was about 2 feet across, sloshing in tide waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Puget Sound.
Could it be?

kjpweb said...

What a beautiful walk! Thanks for taking us along!
Cheers, Klaus

Tom said...

Hi Nina
Excellent 'J' post.. great pictures and a very good read as well.
Tom
Mine's Here

Rune Eide said...

Thank your for the walk, but I am not sure that I would call a jellyfish beautiful!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Love the picture of the California Poppies,we have some in our garden.They are so bright and cheery.I can also relate to a short trip can take a long time,as we stop to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.

Ivar Østtun said...

Great post.Thank you for sharing :-)

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for showing us around on the beach! The jellyfish are so beautiful that you almost forget that they are dangerous to step on.

Anonymous said...

great post and some interesting photos.

Anonymous said...

Very good photographs. I try but they don't always work out. Good theme though for J.

Ray

Anonymous said...

Very good photographs. I try but they don't always work out. Good theme though for J.

Ray

Leslie: said...

A lovely little jaunt! I especially love the photo of that jellyfish! Such brilliance of colour. Amazing.

Kim from Hiraeth said...

Each week I can't wait to click on your link and see what you are sharing. Today's was delightful, as always!

Unknown said...

What gorgeous pictures! Gorgeous words to go along with the pictures as well! Loved it!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful jelly fish! Such nice surprises a walk can uncover!

Bear Naked said...

Your photos are beautiful.
The jellyfish photos are remarkable.

Bear((( )))

Maria Verivaki said...

thankfully i've never been bitten by a jellyfish,,,
what amazing trees that peel their bark - never seen one of these before

me ann my camera said...

Yours was an enticing title and I kept wondering how you would find a jellyfish among the trails and flowers. Very nice and a surprising colour.

Thank you for your comments on my post of Nature's Jewels. That photo was taken with my first digital camera , a Sony Mavica and is a most favourite of mine. I wrote the words just previous to its posting. Glad you enjoyed it.
ann

Anonymous said...

I hat the be the bearer of bad news, but I am not sure that the (cnarian) jelly you found is a lion's mane. The tentalces do not seem to be the correct type. I could be wrong though.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Scienceguy, I had a hard time with this. I was reluctant to handle it, although it was obviously dead or dying.
And the wave action made it almost impossible for me to see the underside well at all.
What do you think it is?
A Pink Jellyfish?

DeniseinVA said...

I think your photos are incredible. I do enjoy visiting :)

Powell River Books said...

Your journey to discover jellyfish was a beautiful one. I love your ocean photos, especially the ones of rocks. I invite you to come see my post about the Canadian Snowbirds Team jets. - Margy

Anonymous said...

all the color in that one jellyfish... cool.