Oaks in Winter White © 2007
Oak trees hold tight to their leaves
refuse to acknowledge
the passing of autumn
and stand stalwart in the snow,
awaiting spring.
Owen Conservation Park
Madison WI
Oaks in Winter
December 28, 2007 by 10 Comments
Exploding Seeds
November 14, 2007 by 6 Comments
Milkweed Exploding Seeds © 2007
Exploding seed pods
Glimmering silk parachutes
They shoot forth white strands
attached to brown propellers.
Milky seeds shimmer in flight.
The milkweed plant offers a lovely show when it disperses its seeds. The above poem is a tanka; its form is 5-7-5-7-7 syllables.
Photographed at Governor Nelson State Park near Westport, Wisconsin in October, 2007.
To see an earlier set of photos of the life cycle of the milkweed plant – spring, summer and fall – go to http://gardengrow.wordpress.com/2007/09/06/milkweed-life-cycle/
Autumn Yellows in Devil’s Lake State Park
October 25, 2007 by 3 Comments
Curving Stone Wall © 2007
Yellow maple leaves
Crunching and browning on road
Stone wall gently curves.
A perfect late October day for a road trip to Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin. Autumn color is at peak and yellows and oranges stretch from forest floor to sky along North Shore Drive
Fungus Amongst Us
October 23, 2007 by 5 Comments
Lavender scallops
Fungus many layers deep
Gift on walking trail.
This inspiring surprise of nature was found on a path along the Black Earth Creek, a trout stream near Madison, Wisconsin. ( A magnificent stream!) Taken just before sunset on October 21, 2007. I’ve misplaced my fungus ID book, so if anyone knows the name of this lovely guy, please share.
Addendum: Mark tells me these are turkey tail fungi. Very well-named.
Barn and Shed
October 20, 2007 by 2 Comments
Weathered whitewashed barn
Broken windows, empty stalls
Ghostly cows lowing
Photographed across the road from Indian Lakes County Park in Dane County, Wisconsin.
