Sunday, March 26, 2017

March Photo A Day 25 - Flat

Nature teaches more than she preaches. 
There are no sermons in stones. 
It is easier to get a spark out of a stone than a moral. 

~ John Burroughs






Today's Photo a Day prompt was "Flat."  This, for me, was the most difficult prompt thus far.  First of all, it was difficult to think of something flat, that would be fun to photograph.  Now, when I was a girl, I had wildflowers pressed between the yellow pages of a very fat phone book.  These days, though, I leave the flowers growing in the field and take photos of them.  The region around me is not flat, but consists of gentle rolling hills.  Neither is the lake flat today, when the wind is cold and choppy. Instead, the lake is filled with churning blue waves, with white flags upon their crests.

Just the other day, when we walked the icy shoreline, I found a few small stones, one of which is very flat. So here is my subject, I thought.  However, I then encountered the other difficulty with this prompt. My inexpensive phone was not adequate for taking these photos, without the ability to focus carefully or to select a macro setting.

These are called Petoskey stones, and unless they are wet, they appear nearly monochromatic gray. They may be polished, but not tossed around in a rock tumbler, for they will disintegrate. I once believed that they were unique to our region, for they are named after a nearby town, as well as after a historic Ottawa chief who once lived in this region.  Alas, Wikipedia tells me that they are also found elsewhere in the United States, as well as in Canada, England, Germany and even somewhere in Asia.

Are you a rock hound?  I try to keep my sampling to a minimum on my nature walks, but sometimes a little talisman is hard to resist.  When I have admired them long enough, perhaps I will scatter some of them along the shoreline again for someone else to discover.  What rocks are unique or interesting in your area?  We have several others that I am learning to recognize.  I love to walk the beach in a light rain on a warm summer afternoon, because the colors and patterns of the rocks glisten brilliantly.



Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joy in your surroundings.



More about the photo a day challenge here.  Tomorrow's prompt is Team.
Quote from https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnburrou106927.html

8 comments:

Birgit said...

When my hubby and I go for a walk, he will collect rocks to put in the pots for his indoor garden at home. Whenever I go up there I think of the movie..Day of the Triffods:)

Lowcarb team member said...

It's always lovely to walk and look at stones, rocks ... shells on the beach, if you are fortunate to be able to do this.

I like your photo's

All the best Jan

Marcie said...

Birgit, You ARE a movie buff! I don't think I've ever seen Day of the Triffods. Now I will have to seek it out!

Jane, Thank you! We love our beach walks and consider ourselves very fortunate to live in this beautiful location. Thank you for your kind remarks!

Cat Lover said...

Hi Marcie, what an interesting post! Wonderful photos too. I love rocks and pick them up here and there. I have a beautiful one on my bedside table right now that I picked up on a beautiful day Chuck and I spent at a local beach.
Have a good week!

Out on the prairie said...

I laugh at the collection that builds on my desk from going out.I always share with a few young visitors

Marcie said...

Robin and Steve

Well, I am in good company! :)

Have a wonderful week!

Magic Love Crow said...

I'm a rock hounder! I have tones! Some I collect on walks, but many are purchased, from Rock Hound Gemborees! I have many precious and semi-precious tumbled stones!

Marcie said...

Stacy, Wonderful! I will have to check out Rock Hound Gemborees! I wish I had a tumbler of my own!