Flower spires
Leatherleaf
Unusual interest
The Mahonia features many unique structural components.
“This shrub has clusters of fragrant flowers that bloom in late winter and by summer will mature into small fruits that birds love to eat.” -Rebecca Clapp
Early morning
Close to home
Harbinger
Looking up from my driveway while waiting for a ride, the world offers an anticipatory sign of what is to come.
“Our wishes are presentiments of the abilities that lie in us, harbingers of what we will be able to accomplish.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Root structure
Earthen materials
Worn away
Where a river meets a bay, turbulent fluid dynamics are relatively intense.
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” – John C. Maxwell
River bed
Steep gradient
Velocity turbulence
Here the river becomes shallower and faster with the bed material resistant to erosive power.
“Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.” – Emma Smith
Soil erosion
Surface Roots
Nonlinear network
Damaging these roots can adversely affect the health of the associated tree.
“Heavy, poorly-drained or compacted soil encourages shallower root growth. Each year a tree’s roots get thicker, just like the trunk does, and eventually they can break the surface and be visible.” – Diana Alfuth
Short tail
Powerful bill
Strong feet
They will often wedge a found food item into a crevice and peck at it with their strong beak.
“The chickadee and nuthatch are more inspiring society than statesmen and philosophers, and we shall return to these last as to more vulgar companions. “ – Henry David Thoreau
Predator confusion
Dilution effect
Amazing spectacle
The sky is filled with black birds forming a massive flock winging its way somewhere.
“Oh Daddy, there were hundreds of them… Just now, not fifteen minutes ago… at the school… the birds didn’t attack until the children were outside the school.” – Melanie Daniels
Fresh creation
Actual occasion
Reality components
The swamp becomes colorful as fall leaves fall.
“Becoming is the deepest dimension of Being.” – Steven Shaviro
Relating to
Derived from
Living matter
Organized matter under-foot in the swamp.
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Resident
Intruder
Conflict
Causes and consequences of territorial behavior in odonates are observable at the pond’s edge.
“The main benefit of territoriality is increased access to females, and the costs may accumulate due to predation, injuries, and/or energy loss due to territorial contests.” – Jukka Suhonen