FUN WITH LEAVES

THE OTHER KINGDOMS by Mary Oliver

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.

BEAUTY AT BIG BEAR LAKE YESTERDAY

One of my favorite seasons to visit Big Bear - autumn, second bloom season as I have read stated before.  It was gorgeous, serene, uncrowded, and awe-filled.  Felt so much just being there.

Heron Stands Watching
In the shallow - in water
Reflection from Light

IN LESS THAN A MONTH

I'll be at the central coast, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Cayucos and beyond ... for Thanksgiving - and seeing family.  My sister always "hosts" us for the days we are there.  She's a gem, a great cook, fun to be around and my brother in law's dry sense of humor is still funny after all these years.

I will definitely be hanging out in this area on the beach where the cliffs are in the mornings before heading out every day to find places of interest for photography and walking.  I love the Central Coast of California.  In the fall the morning sun lights up the beach so beautifully.

I love the mountains where I live but being at the coast is a totally different experience.  However, in the fall, when the sun sets over the ocean if we are on the Rim Hwy traveling around out mountain area, the ocean is lit up in the distance as the sun sets over the water. Using the zoom on my camera  over 75 miles away is the Southern California Coast so it's amazing to me that we can see the ocean.

Feathers of soft white
Crabs and crustaceans abound
birds delight in feast

Here is what we can see at sunset from the mountains so far away.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY GROVE NEAR PISMO BEACH

In November these Monarch butterflies are in abundance in this grove near Pismo Beach, Ca.  I'm hoping for a quick walk through the grove when we go in November.  I always think of "stained glass" when i see their patterns. 

A FLOWER, A HAIKU AND OTHER THINGS

I tried a reverse image search and cannot identify this beauty.  It lives over in Lake Arrowhead right by the shoreline behind some shops.  It's so delicate and pretty.  I plan to  be over there again today because we go to that area for the local Stater Brothers for groceries.

 I can't wait to pay homage -had to make sure of definition (special honor or respect shown publicly )to it once again - I hang out and admire it and I do believe it recognizes me.  Or maybe it's just the breeze that makes it dance.

They have very long thin stems and are graceful dancers when the breezes flow by.


A single white bloom
Upon a long stem it sits
Between us magic

Right near the bush is this scene below - and in the background the building is some condos on the shoreline.

Oh and "Judy" is playing at the local cinema.  I'm hoping to see it this week.  I saw a trailer with  Renee Zellweger and it looks like she does a great job.

I have several photos of this house set off the road and some come out clear and others blurred.  I'm always taking the photos from a moving car.  The other day this one came out okay.

ALONG THE SHORE

Green frames their beauty
Water separates their roots
All who pass feel love

(there are just a few of these beauties along the shoreline and i know that myself as well as others look forward to fall when they start showing off their colors.)  

SEAGULLS OVER THE LAKE - a FOGGY DAY

Beauty at the lake
Trees enshrouded with (light) fog
A dance of two gulls

(edit had to add "light" to make 7th syllable)..



Just practicing haiku.

Five syllables first line
seven syllables second line
five syllables third line

Will practice when I post a photo.

SOME OF WHAT COLORS MY WORLD (and there will be more - so much more)

THE SEAGULLS ARE RETURNING TO THE LAKE -

Just a few so far but November is when they really start showing up.  I always look forward to seeing them.