Whitey Stands Out

It's August and it's hot. The broad leaf skunk cabbage has dried up in the woods leaving more open space for viewing. We continue to be visited by the buck, about 2-4 times a week, mostly in the evening. The scenario goes like this...from the back deck you can hear the sounds of crumbling branches as something is walking over them. But nothing is visible. Then a little while later 2 or 3 deer come forward toward our yard to eat. They're attracted to downed trees with leaves still growing and also to small bushes--fortunately all in the woods. They stay for about a half hour or perhaps more and watch us and eat, watch us and eat-- all in continuum. So while deer in the backyard have become the expected it is always a thrill to see them so active in our local community.

Whitey 16Nov2009

This past weekend three new deer members emerged. A pure white doe with a few brown patches visited along with two fawns (complete with spots). We first saw them in the leaf lounge (the pile of leaves where the deer like to lay down)munching on tree leaves. In form, 'Whitey' looks like her brown fur friends but she is definitely different. She is an albino. With her dominant white fur she doesn't fit into any form of woods camoflouge. She is plainly visible with her white fur contrasting against the greens and browns. Her two fawns are brown and have the typical dull white spots of youth. They are about half the mother's size and where she goes they go.

So this post is about again about the beauty of wildlife and the many forms it takes. And it is also about contrast and about living while standing out with all of our uniqueness. What is your uniqueness? How do you stand out in your woods?

Ramapo Meadow

Today I went back to the meadow. This time a little earlier, a little less blue in the sky, the trees still the same and this time I had my camera and and this time I was joined by the deer. These meadow photos show the grass, the dew, the lake and give you a sense of this early morning place of peace.

Many ideas in the universe are symmetric. I like looking at the tree line being perfectly folded at the water's edge and then reflected as an image on the surface. You can see that in photos 14 and in more succinctly in 15. I like to imagine the folding line- between physical and the image. On days with calm water you really have to look closely.

Grass with Dew

walking in the field
long dry grass filled with August dew
reflecting colors of pink against the blue sky
contrasting with green leaves on the mountain
my eyes well up in fullness
and I stand unable to explain why

I call it sensing beauty
beauty stands before me
beauty fills me as the willing observer

I've walked this exact trail before
sat on this same lake side bench before
and still today is a totally new experience

I did not come here today seeking to revive hope
I did not come here today to explore faith
but my hope and faith are uplifted
as I witness and experience
the same known surroundings with a
new profound sense of ...divine beauty