Occupy space
Twisted limbs
Spreading expansion
On a stroll through the Currituck Banks Reserve, an excellent encounter with an iconic live oak specimen transpires.
“Without any companion it grew there, glistening out with joyous leaves of dark green.” – Walt Whitman
Rejected bycatch
Untargeted species
Commercial fishing
Suddenly one morning, many dead or dying rays are found washed up on the beach. Such cartilaginous fishes cannot recover rapidly if their populations are depleted.
“If we truly want to save the ocean’s most fascinating creatures, we must stop supporting the industries that are destroying them.” – Julie Cappiello
Elongated eyestalks
Unequally sized claws
Semiterrestrial generalist
Ghost crabs are nimble runners, scooting away at the slightest indication of danger. In fact, the genius name Ocypode means “swift-footed” in Latin. This particular representative, however, was uncharacteristically lethargic.
“I once had a patient who was convinced that his head was full of sea water and a crab lived inside.” – Michael Robotham
Resurgence
Regenerative
Recovery
The fresh spring sensibility always tends to enlighten faith in natural processes.
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space.” – Albert Einstein
Keeled dorsal scales
Behind the dunes
In gray branches
Spotted on the trail to the beach, an unusual organic object is draped in the adjoining brush thicket.
“The map is not the territory.” – Alfred Korzybski
Walk down pond
Catch some sun
Turn her loose
A patient and tolerant ‘branta canadensis’ incubates eggs in a nest, but I don’t believe she knows I am an artist. Many concurrent things can happen in nature.
“I’m very much an observer and a conduit of thoughts and ideas.” – Ian Anderson
Briskly venturing
Tendency to wander
Wildness necessity
It is always interesting how much can be extracted from new venues as experience matures.
“To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.” – Tenzing Norgay
Sinewy stems
Mottled appearance
Bark that sheds
Many small ponds feature crepe myrtles waiting for warmer weather.
“Crepe myrtle’s bare limbs…peeled bark reveals red-brown tone…sparse seed pods remain.” – Sara Kendrick
Might glimpse
Natural interest
Attraction compelling
The past becomes the present while the anticipated future contains no necessary flaws.
“Reality has a tendency to be so uncomfortably real.” – Neil Peart
Hiking trails
Interpretive center
Forested retreat
With lots of soft pine needles under foot, a very pleasant location for an afternoon walk beckons.
“The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot.” – Werner Herzog