Seasons Dance

Dancing duck has taken to living in our ponds

There is a spirit of change in the air, the time when two seasons begin their dance. How long this dance will twirl around before summer bows out and autumn is in full manifest, we shall have to wait and see. Will it be a slow deep dance or a dramatic tango is unknown. But I can tell you the colors and temperatures have begun to change. I feel anticipation in the form of delight in my heart and blood. Daily the details of life are alive with change.

I've taken to riding my bike in the back country:

Picked a basket of dandelions to steep in vinegar:

Butter-and-Eggs:

Life is good.

What have I been up to?

Gosh, usually I am so available to share here on my blog. Summer has been a busy time for me. Which feels truly like the spirit of summer! Especially if you live in the north with full on seasons. Summer is the time to do outdoor projects, camping trips, water activities, picnics and potlucks under the shade of trees and under the stars. I have been doing all that and more. For example, with my dear friends A&C, I have been making fire wood:

We are hoping there is three years worth in these piles!
Annie taught me how to use the chainsaw!

Now to share some shrooms, fungi images from my recent Canada trip:

I do believe we have a russula here:

I find this little guy with it's big old trunk to be so charming (that is a tiny pine cone, not one of the big old ones we are use to):

A blogger friend told me about the little white critter with an X on top next to the mushroom in this image. It is a spore capsule for the moss. They are a type of moss called liverworts which are typified by the long delicate spore capsules. The capsules are round in the beginning, but assume an 'X' after they open up and release their spores:

I love the little critters!
Thank you ~ Brian

Glacier National Park - British Columbia

Earlier this month I loaded up my van, ready for car camping and headed north. As I crossed the border into Canada I looked in my rear view mirror to see blue skies and white puffy clouds, ahead was a dark and stormy day. The storm rang out it's clouds as though they were soaking wet sponges and then the clouds departed, I found myself with a lovely blue skied day.
I drove to Glacier National Park, nestled between the Columbia and Purcell Mountain range of British Columbia, Canada. The mountains are huge and majestic, the kind of beauty that stills one to their core just to breath the air and take in the spirit of the land.

Summer's wildflowers showing their glory,
Columbine:

High up the Avalanche Crest Trail
Up up up this trail went:

then down down down:

Tiny mushrooms, galore:

Fireweed:

The top of the trail:

The tiny critters win my heart,

Victoria Magazine Features My Photography

My phone rang and the unexpected exciting call comes in:

Hi, I am calling from Victoria Magazine we have a story on our website featuring entrepreneurs and we would like to do one on you and your photography business, the story is to go live on Tuesday (08/05/08).

I love this, out of the blue, a sweet offering.

So if you would like to see this little story go to: Victoria Magazine: Through the Eyes of Art

Solace with Trees

There is a greatness in the
stance of a tree.
The way it is rooted in the earth
it's branches, fingers
mingling with the sky.
The way it sways
with the wind.
A tree is home
shelter from the sun
rain and snow
for so many.

I find solace
in it's stance
for I am reminded
of a path
to find peace
grace
grounded strength
lightness
and life
within myself.

To read others' writings on Solace: sundayscribblings

Beach Beauty

At this time I do not live near the ocean or a sea, but lakes have beaches too! Still the photos I share here are from beaches in New Zealand, where I once wandered for six months. The cave photo above was taken on a very popular beach on the South Island. When I arrived early that morning I was the first person there. The waves had washed the sand smooth, not a footstep in sight, I was in heaven!

I discovered that beaches in New Zealand were covered with different treasures. One might have white sand, another more green, some on the dark side. Shells of varied shapes, colors and sizes. Stones that were smooth and polished, others rough. It was a delight to wander from one beach to another finding the unique treasures each has to offer.

This round sphere was a very heavy rock that I found just where you see it, on the shore of the ocean. I would have liked to take it home with me, but instead I took it's photo.

This post inspired by: Inspire Me Thursday

Endless Beauty!

Weather reports sounded optimum, sunny, warm days with gentle breezes. Time to go camping. Packed the van for a three day trip, awoke to the sound of fat drops of rain pounding on the metal roof. Golden morning sunlight sliding between dark clouds. Hum, what will this trip bring? As the morning unfolded, the sky was a mix of blue and gray dabbled with fluffy, puffy artsy clouds, the kind that make my heart spin with joy. The unexpected weather somehow ignited excitement in my heart for my journey into the majestic Glacier National Park.


The clouds darken and rain falls on warm cement, fog rises from the Going to the Sun road creating a feeling of mystery and intrigue. The air is absolutely divine, a mix of sweet flowers, rain and air that makes me feel alive.

Glacier Lily:

I'm starting to think it is the light that has inspired/created the photographer in me. The way clouds cover the sun making the earth dark and then a ray of light finds its way through and lights up a dash of snow on a mountain and my heart ignites as though it has extra life in it than the moment before.


Arriving at the height of Logan Pass the dark clouds disappear as though the peaks of the mountains required the blue skies and white of puffy clouds. The majesty of views is breath taking, with an abundance of waterfalls, flowers and wildlife, inspiring a feeling that all is right in the world.


Summer is green and lush in Montana, and Logan pass still has plenty of snow. I feel as though I stepped back into the beginning of spring. I could have brought my xc skis. The hike up was fun in the slush. The views were a gift to behold.

The above shot was with the rising sun at Many Glacier, talk about a picture perfect morning! The air was crisp and invigorating, simply glorious.

I personally am not one to rent horses for a trail ride, but I could not resist this shot. Horses and Montana just go together.

The trails and roadsides were covered with flowers! I was amazed at the splash of color every where. I will post more over the next few days, but here is a sample:

Saint John's-wort:

The lovely Penstemon:

Natural Heart

Walking on the beach in New Zealand, I came upon this HUGE driftwood heart.
This next image shows you how I found it:

For more heart art, visit: Theme Thursday