Sunbathers ~

I rarely find white shooting stars

seeing them is like finding this treasure

I think the above photo shows so well 

their name

Stars flying in different directions

even from behind they look like a celebration of life

truly petite little beings

when the sun comes out

sunbathers rise from the water 

to soak up warmth

the little fairyslipper from my last post

has opened all the way

I visit it once in a while

(with bear spray on my belt, as we have evidence of a grizzly)

this lovely winged creature

landed on my finger 3 times

I felt honored

~

Spring is picking up momentum!

~

*

Calypso bulbosa

an early arrival

they usually don't bloom for a couple or few more weeks

in my little snow belt area

but there it was

a little Fairyslipper

Calypso Bulbosa

wild orchid

nearly open

bathing in forest light

~

*

In Search of the First Wildflowers

we found our first wildflowers of the year 

(by driving over an hour north)

as well as

an emerald colored native bee! 

 the earth had but tiny blades of grass appearing amongst 

the pine needle strewn forest floor

yet the lovely pasqueflowers hold their heads high

celebrating life

here and there a 

scattering of lovely yellow bells

after a long winter

these first flowers

fill ones heart with joy

 

a new season is ours to embrace

~

*

More from the Tiny World

standing above

it nearly looks like a cream colored rock with dark specks

kneeling to look closely

macro lens helps

an intricate world of detail

I wonder if this is what is meant (in the title of the book) Mycelium Running

it appears to be going from the stick to the leaf

(thank goodness for the decomposers of our world)

 

 don't you want to touch it ;-)

soft little moss sculpture

like something from manicured garden

a magical threshold 

to a underworld home

snow is melting 

meadows that will later be grasslands

are now shallow lakes

I saw my first butterfly 

of the year

it really is heartwarming to note the small details

of a new season

indeed, nature is a spirit helper

~

lovely days and nights to you

~

*

Magical realm of Lichen

these colors!

striking designs

and colors

like an island

of wonder

many kinds

look like

living art

I still have a foot of snow at my place

yet daily the rings of earth around trees grow larger

winter is thawing into spring

 the creek sings 

day and night

wandering around boulders

a delightful miniature world

of lichen thriving

macro lens and the details spring to sight

lichen will hold me over until the world turns green

and 

mushrooms and flowers abound

~

*

Thaw and Freeze

another trip to the park,

Glacier National Park

winter ice is starting to melt

offering views of the rocks below

(above photo)

water so clear..... 

presenting all the beautiful colors

each visit

each hour

offers unique sights

treasures 

that change with the wind and sun

thaw and freeze of winter snow and ice is

an early Spring theme

offering amazement to those that wander 

and 

gander at the details

~

*

When the Sun shines on Us

ah-mazing!

when the sun comes out

I haven't seen an icy shore like this for a while

which creates wonderfully artful details

reflections 

offer a double dose of beauty

ice, sunlight and colorful rocks under water

are eye candy that touches the soul

~

*

Ice Crystal Realm

a few nights ago

it was clear and cold (5F)

mist rose from meadows

meandered through the branches of trees

inspiring ice crystals to grow

the trees fingers touched the earth buried in crystalline mounds of snow

sunlight arrived

showing off the night fairies work

every little branch was kissed with magic and delight 

until the sun arrived 

and kissed them with the warmth of light

yesterday

daytime temperatures are 40F+

gentle rainfall begins the winter thaw 

that will eventually welcome spring 

my roof of winter's snow has come crashing down

it will be a while 

before i see the first flower bloom

~

*