Sunday Stroll: Growth

 Step through this natural arch, 

and we will walk in another, more beautiful, world.

At the woods edge, blue-eyed grass is waking.

The mallow, 

small and delicate at our feet,

is welcoming visitors.

 Fungi are blooming,

and field daisies are in bud.

 At the edge of the swamp, 

the sun shines a light 

on Arisaema triphyllum

(little Jack in the Pulpit.)

Leaves are everywhere:

Below our feet,

and overhead.

Apple

Cedar

Moss

Juniper

Choke Cherry

Maple Leaf and Lichen

and the green roof, alive and singing.

At the north edge of the Long Field,

we can rest 

on the old wooden swing.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.

Sunday Stroll Invitation

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, 

places to play in and pray in, 

where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike." 

~ John Muir 1912

If you have time to stroll today, and if your weather permits, please post about about it on your blog and then come back here with a comment and a link to your post. You may use the Sunday Stroll button at the top of this post on your post or side bar if you would like. I will add participant names to this post so other strollers can walk through your garden too.

Goldenrod Spider: A photo essay

May 5, 2007

July 17, 2007

April 11, 2010

May 2, 2010

May 15, 2016

May 26, 2016

Because I received several comments on the interesting spider in a recent blog post, I decided to post a few other pictures of this species from over the years.  If you are not "creeped out" by extreme close up photographs of spiders, there is a short article regarding this species here.   The article states that the spider can be as large as a wasp, though I've never seen one that large.  I found this species extremely fascinating, because it can change color like a chameleon.  

Come back soon.  I promise not to have spiders in my next post! ;)

Where ever you are, whatever the weather,

 I wish you time to look closely 

and to appreciate all of the wonders of nature.

Fresh

A soft rain overnight has refreshed our parched earth

Oregano

Lady's Mantle

Thyme

Wild Mustard

Goldenrod Spider, 

still golden from her time on the wild mustard, I believe.

She is so colorful against green leaves and blue bugle.

Apple Blooms, drenched in rain, still cling to the tree.

But, as June approaches, 

the wild apple trees celebrate

with pink confetti.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you fresh air and something to celebrate.

Sunday Stroll: Looking Closer

Walk with me, out past the garden, to the cedar wood.

Let's step through the wall of trees near 

the towering maple, 

so good for climbing in,

and resting under.

Let's remember that everywhere we look, 

there are small and beautiful details.

It is Middle-May,

and all the world is fragrant,

with apple blossom sweetness

and quiet hints of violet.

The cedar swamp has burst 

into verdant green splendor

 and even there, 

amid the water mint and horsetail,

dandelions bloom.

We can never rush past this handsome fellow,

and we must take a few moments to listen

to Dark Water Creek,

as it flows amid ferns,

and twists and turns

 amid the roots

of sheltering trees.

When we step back into the open field,

the sky is a miracle of blue,

and the cedars a celebration of green.

Beneath our feet,

wild strawberries bloom,

and we will remember that 

June is just around the corner.

Perhaps we will make a wish,

that spring and summer 

will linger this year.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you serenity.

If you have time, be sure to check in on Steve's stroll over at Out on the Prairie.