Beneath the blossom
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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36 comments:
It always thrills me to see the tip of the iceberg -- a leg, an antenna, something just a tad different. Your photos are beautiful.
OOOOH. That clematis makes me wish winter were over. Beautiful photos and wonderful prose.
Love the photos and especially the unseen underneath...
Lovely photos, Nina, and your very poetic words gave me (nice) chillbumps.
There is so much we miss when we do not slow down to see the SMALL stuff.
Love your hummingbird day by day. I have one of a Red Eyed Vireo, from before I started blogging. Need to look in the archives.
That pale little spider is quite pretty (and actually didn't make me shiver!) and the Daddy Longlegs under the petals is a wonderful shot too. It takes a patient eye to find and record such treasures.
Lovely photos! I, too, like wandering and catching glimpses of the normally unseen.
It's relaxing and rewarding to take a leisurely walk, see the smallest detail and think, "wow".
What beautiful photos! I love the little white spider who seems to be trying to hide, but you spotted and captured him! Great photos!
Wonderful and thought-provoking post. All of us need reminding to look closer at our hidden world. We do indeed observe only the tip of the iceberg upon which we tread.
Oh what lovely photos!
A beautiful little lady hiding under there. Never know what you'll find.
You have a good eye for seeing the unseen
An Arkie's Musings
The title 'Unseen Underneath' is almost a poem in itself! And I love the little albino spider!
It is a beautiful u post.
I believe the second spider is White Crab Spider, or Flower Spider. They are able to change color to match their surroundings--white or yellow, commonly found.
This is a beautiful, delicate, sublime post. Totally enjoyed it.
I remembered yesterday that I had written the six random things post already. I hope you won't be offended if I bypass this one, but thank you for thinking of me.
Beautiful photos, I did underneath too but very different.
Beautiful photographs and a very nice reminder of how we need to slow down, look around, and see the world that surrounds us. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Nina,
I have been enjoying you blog and want to give pass on an award. I know you probably have received them all...I just want to show my appreciation for you beautiful blog.
so do with it what you will...
thanks
http://dawnandjeffsblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/another-awardthanks.html
Nina, fantastic photos and thought provocing prose. It really is amazing how much beauty you can see if you slow down to search for it.
Unless we look underneath we never see the whole story!
Thank you for a refreshing look at "U"!
Sherry
Unique and unusual and the perfect photo and post for the letter U on ABC Wednesday.
Bear((( )))
So poetic and beautiful. You were inspired. I was quite dull this week.
A beautiful blue flower and an equally beautiful white spider.
Me again - I hope you don't mind, but I've tagged you for a meme. The background is in my blog post at http://wrenaissance.com/2008/12/my-top-5-birding-locations/ but instead of 5 places, I'm asking you to share the five greatest joys you find in nature.
Thanks, and I hope you'll play.
Lovely photos, beautiful clematis, and well-caught spiders!
I love your post today. Beautiful photoes and worlds:)
I didn't know that the White Crab Spider could change colour, Nina. How interesting. Your writing is very poetical and the photos are excellent.
OK, Nina, I finally got my Random Things post done. Whew! This was as much pressure as a high school term paper (and about as interesting.)
http://katdocsworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/six-random-things.html
Love the first photo of the (clematis?) flower.
I'm probably going to the CNC bird walk on Sat, Dec. 13. Will I see you there?
~Kathi
Kathi--
You never know what "random" fact someone may find very interesting! And, as much as we know much about fellow-bloggers by their usual content, these trivial details fill in the blanks, so to speak. Thanks for playing along!
I wish I could do the walk 12/13--pesky work schedule on an every-other-Saturday rotation is a conflict this time. And it looks like the cycle doesn't fix itself until February 14th!! Life!
I'll keep an eye on the Cinci Bird club doings, too--maybe something will turn up!
Have come your way via Politits... I grew up in Cincy, in Philly burbs now, so I feel a natural affinity...plus your beautiful snaps and poetry of nature are very hopeful and affirming....Thanks for sharing.... I'll be back
Great photos--you have a great eye to be able see all these hidden treasures. It brightened my day.
Beautiful words and photos! I love the color of that first flower!
That first image is outstanding. The flower alone is beautiful, but that harvestman clinging to the underside shows up beautifully too.
I love taking a photo and upon looking a second time, discover something new! Lovely photos!
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