Tag Archives: nature

tree huggers.

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 the kinder were very worried about a tree that had lost some of its bark

they spent a long time finding little chunks of bark lying on the ground

trying to piece it back together and fill it in like a puzzle.

some had questions about how it might have fallen off.

‘was it a big, big storm?’

‘did something hurt it?’

‘did it get sick?’

some had thoughts about the tree.

 ‘i remember this tree from when we played here.’

‘that’s kind of sad.’

‘don’t worry, i saw in a book that it will be okay.’

try as they might, they couldn’t get the bark 

to stick back on the bare part of the trunk

they left the pieces nearby on the ground around it

 used a stick to mark where it was

 gave it a hug before we walked back to our classroom.

“there’s nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.”

-bob ross

snowflake.

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2500 hours across 5 years – “The Snowflake,”

featuring more than 400 snowflakes, all in relative size to one another.

photography by *don komarechka

*Don Komarechka is a nature & landscape photographer located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Don is no stranger to cold winters. From auroras to pollen, insects to infrared, much of Don’s photographic adventures reveal a deeper understanding of how the universe works. Snowflakes are no exception.

Don began studying the science of snowflakes the same day he first photographed them, nearly four years prior to the publication of this book. Since then, snowflakes have been a non-stop passion.

Each one of Don’s snowflake images is photographed on an old black mitten at his home. Barrie, Ontario is known for higher levels of winter precipitation, making it a great location to capture hundreds of beautiful specimens.

Always science-minded but never formally trained, Don uses photography as a way to explore and understand the world around him. Photographing something unusual or unknown is the perfect excuse to learn something new.

“nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.”
-henry david thoreau

from the garden to the heart.

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using locally foraged plants, artist kayla powers
taught us to make our own botanical watercolor paints
not a quick process
with many steps along the way
what an incredible experience
from the garden and the forest, to the art, to the heart.
  —
“use your own paint; colour your world”
― israelmore ayivor, author

oh, deer!

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notice posted by the sebastian county sheriff’s office as a reminder to drivers (and deer):

We have received a few reports that some deer, for whatever reason, are not using the designated deer crossing areas along our county roads and state highways.  If any deer follow our page, please know that we put these signs up at some expense to the taxpayers.  We’d appreciate you crossing at the designated areas.  To our motoring community, please watch for these deer that are blatantly disobeying the law.

“a small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. is there a way i can get reimbursed? please call.”

-dave barry

reclaiming.

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Life finds a way : when nature reclaims space.

We humans transform landscapes and leave our unmistakable marks on the world.

But these marks are not always indelible,

because when we move out, nature quickly moves in to stake its claim once more.

-BBC Science

taking flight.

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when playing outside

the kinder found a dead bird

they called out to everyone to come over to see it

 they said goodbye to the bird and told her that they were sad that she had died

  we put a circle of pretty leaves around her to keep her safe on her journey.

“teach them to be kind to animals and they will grow up to be kind to people too.”

-rumi

gentle.

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the kinder very gently touch the lamb’s ear and feel a soft surprise.

 

“there is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness.”

-han suyin

 

ghost forest.

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another try at hiking on the sleeping bear dunes point trail
this time not the long forced dune march like in the spring
instead
some dune, beautiful views,  waving grass, soft forest paths
and a real trail.
and then
the ghost forest.
“the ultimate luxury in life remains nature. “
-robert rabensteiner
a “Ghost Forest” in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
These forests were covered and uncovered by the shifting sands of Lake Michigan’s dunes,
leaving behind these ghostly trees.
glen arbor, michigan, usa, summer 2023

the sleepy life of bees.

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 walking through the trail

we start to notice

 bees tucked into the flowers all around us

everywhere we look

some are alone

legs tucked under

some with other bees

all quietly sleeping

what a sweet and soft landing spot

bedtime seems to be 7:30pm .

bees sleep between 5-8 hours a day

they like to sleep in flowers with other bees

and often hold each others feet.

“my banks they are furnish’d with bees,

whose murmur invites one to sleep.”

-william shakespeare

 

photo credits: f. porter, one of my creative and talented grandies

furstenberg nature area, ann arbor, michigan, usa

 

 

dove.

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why does the dove sit and visit

day after day

her answer is

this rustic nest

built atop the rail

tucked way beneath the tomato plant

a safe and shaded home

for the baby doves

soon to be welcomed into the world.

 

“and there my little doves did sit

with feathers softly brown

and glittering eyes that showed their right

to general nature’s deep delight.”

-elizabeth barrett browning