Consider the other kingdoms. The
trees, for example, with their mellow-sounding
titles: oak, aspen, willow.
Or the snow, for which the peoples of the north
have dozens of words to describe its
different arrivals. Or the creatures, with their
thick fur, their shy and wordless gaze. Their
infallible sense of what their lives
are meant to be. Thus the world
grows rich, grows wild, and you too,
grow rich, grow sweetly wild, as you too
were born to be. MARY OLIVER
I was walking a trail yesterday when I discovered a whole new interest ...a treasure hunt so to speak. I have never thought to take a close look at leaves beneath my feet - individual leaves and their designs whether made by the level of pH balance, or disease, drought, ,or simply a natural pattern of the leaf as it changes colors in the different seasons.
Along my way I picked up about 10 or so leaves, some from different trees and took them home. I photographed each leaf and put them between the pages of a big book to flatten the leaf out.
Have you ever really looked close at the leaves in fall that are beneath your feet? If not - take a close look and be amazed. I still need to learn what kind of leaf I'm looking at. I've been studying leaves closely and able to know what tree I'm seeing...somewhat. For example I keep noticing star shaped leaves and at least from what I've learned so far they are Sugar Gum trees. I'm learning the differences between an aspen and a birch, cottonwood and poplar trees ..on and on ..Dogwoods, maples, balsam, oaks, hickories then the evergreens or pines. .....there is so much ahead to learn but it satisfies me to know that I can at some point walk through a forest and know the names of the trees I encounter.
Do you have any leaf stories? Have you ever pressed leaves in a book for no good reason other than to know that there is a surprise waiting for the next person who might find that book. What a fun thing to do with a library book - place a leaf inside. There's something so Victorian about that idea.
Anyway, I decided this blog is where I will post photos showing the beauty of leaves.
Have a great Sunday and if you find any special ones hope you tell me in a comment so I can see it. Since I"m not sure what the leaves are that I'm posting I wont' try and name them until I know.
Another beauty.
trees, for example, with their mellow-sounding
titles: oak, aspen, willow.
Or the snow, for which the peoples of the north
have dozens of words to describe its
different arrivals. Or the creatures, with their
thick fur, their shy and wordless gaze. Their
infallible sense of what their lives
are meant to be. Thus the world
grows rich, grows wild, and you too,
grow rich, grow sweetly wild, as you too
were born to be. MARY OLIVER
I was walking a trail yesterday when I discovered a whole new interest ...a treasure hunt so to speak. I have never thought to take a close look at leaves beneath my feet - individual leaves and their designs whether made by the level of pH balance, or disease, drought, ,or simply a natural pattern of the leaf as it changes colors in the different seasons.
Along my way I picked up about 10 or so leaves, some from different trees and took them home. I photographed each leaf and put them between the pages of a big book to flatten the leaf out.
Have you ever really looked close at the leaves in fall that are beneath your feet? If not - take a close look and be amazed. I still need to learn what kind of leaf I'm looking at. I've been studying leaves closely and able to know what tree I'm seeing...somewhat. For example I keep noticing star shaped leaves and at least from what I've learned so far they are Sugar Gum trees. I'm learning the differences between an aspen and a birch, cottonwood and poplar trees ..on and on ..Dogwoods, maples, balsam, oaks, hickories then the evergreens or pines. .....there is so much ahead to learn but it satisfies me to know that I can at some point walk through a forest and know the names of the trees I encounter.
Do you have any leaf stories? Have you ever pressed leaves in a book for no good reason other than to know that there is a surprise waiting for the next person who might find that book. What a fun thing to do with a library book - place a leaf inside. There's something so Victorian about that idea.
Anyway, I decided this blog is where I will post photos showing the beauty of leaves.
Have a great Sunday and if you find any special ones hope you tell me in a comment so I can see it. Since I"m not sure what the leaves are that I'm posting I wont' try and name them until I know.
Another beauty.
11 comments:
You amaze me with your interests that I would have never thought of to research, study, identify. So here's my leaf story, having just gotten through trimming bushes and sweeping up leaves. I notice a lot of dead brown leaves, tons of them, mounds of them to dispose of! I do notice fall leaves and new, young green leaves in spring, and I notice backlit leaves when walking because I am always looking for a photograph waiting to be captured. The only time I either saved a leaf or worked with a leaf was when Erin was young and had a project that included leaves, when Hannah was also involved in crafts and art and when I have seen a most unusual shaped leaf or a huge leaf that I had to pick up and save (though only very few times and didn't save them for long).
fun to read your story ..thanks for sharing it. I am out in a bit to search for more ...Laura...I have so many different interests i research it would make you head spin, lolol..literally. Every thing interests me ...i just never had time to know this about myself when I was working and raising kids. Nature in all its' seasons ..there are so many treasures there to see.. I'm just starting down that path ...
I always loved Mary Oliver! "Thus the world grows rich, grows wild, and you too,grow rich..."
I don't have a leaf story/stories. Sandy, I even stopped looking down and forgot how many interesting things I can see when I do that. You are amazing! I should look more around and see things I stopped to noticed.
Your leaves are beautiful. In many, many ways!
Buen trabajo este que nos presentas, amiga
Un saludo
Sandy, my head does spin when I think of all you research and how much time that must take to do because of your numerous interests (even when you may not have known you were interested and suddenly you are off researching, making notes, searching, etc.). I don't seem to be able to sit still long enough to spend a lot of time on line. I race through the few things I get online for and then I'm off doing things usually concerned with food: Chopping, shopping, prepping, slicing, dicing, then exercising, playing Rummikub with Ken, walks for not only exercise but also photographs. Also, don't forget all the driving I do for Ken and some for Hannah. When Hannah is going to be here for a ride somewhere after school, I then shop for food she would like to eat before leaving for her appointments.
I think your long walks and taking photos frees up your mind somewhat to just enjoy where you are in the moment and appreciate the beauty that you find all around.
yes those long walks and photos definitely free up the mind ...to be in the moment. Anyway - whereas you have a lot of chopping and cooking and driving to do - ....I have someone who cooks for me,, drives me where I want to go (not that I can't drive myself) and so I'm left with a lot of free time for the stuff I enjoy doing. I figure it's payback time from the Universe for all those years I was raising four sons and working as a medical transcriptionist and doing so much of the yard work (along with Mike) on an acre which kept us busy all the time. It's such a contrast now.
Hi Kaya - ...but then..you are looking out for gorgeous shore birds, etc... I don't seem to have that many here at our own little lake anymore ...and photographing them use to be a lot of fun for me.
The pressed leaves have a special charm.
You found some beauties! You will enjoy discovering the names of the ones you bring home.
Mary Oliver is a favorite of mine. I can relate to her, and see that you do. too.
I love your idea of pressing a leaf in a library book.
This is a beautiful post for leaves 🍂🍁
hI Jan - I pressed some now about five days ago... and I opened the book today and they are perfect.
Thanks Sandy ...it's a new interest for sure so it will keep me busy.
thanks Catalin.
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