Another instance of an out-of-place young tree. Is this all my teenage angst coming out photographically later in life? A commentary on the individual thinking they are special? I like to think of this as using the contrast of visual elements to draw the eye’s focus. Or as a note of ecological interest — competing species after a forest fire, and how these fires shape the future of forests. But you can think of it however you like…
This is a balsam poplar in a sea of young jack pine.
Caltha palustris in the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family.
I got quite wet on this hike. Mostly my boots got soaked, but taking pictures like this also requires wet knees (and sometimes elbows). There are days I wish my camera had live view.
Rain quells crowds of tourists. It adds a little sparkle to everything it touches. It softens distant scenes, and adds vibrance to close ones. The only thing I ask is for a dry place to sleep.
Things are finally turning green and the sun is shining.
The curving lines of dry grass provide so much picture fodder.
Taken in Elk Island National Park.
If anyone knows what species of grass these are, I’d be very curious. I’m getting better at my fauna taxonomy, but when it comes to grass, I’m lost.
Metaphor for life? I have no idea.
Kind of cool picture? I think so.
Taken on Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park.
I went for a hike on Astotin Lake yesterday. I’ve been to the shore often enough looking out at all those islands, but I’ve never been on the lake. I decided, before it all melts, to walk out and see some islands up close.
I headed out, wondering how far I’d get. The crust on the snow wasn’t thick enough to support me and made it even harder to walk through the thigh-deep snow. I found a few old snowshoe tracks which usually held me up, and got out onto the lake. It turns out that further out onto the lake, it is easy walking. Once away from the shore I was only sinking down a few inches. This was a pleasant treat, and I got to three islands before heading back.
Here are some cattails (Typha latifolia) from the shore of an island in Astotin Lake.
A couple weeks ago I was out at Clifford E Lee Wildlife Sanctuary. It was dreadfully cold and winter depression had set in. I walked around for a while, not really inspired—just trying to soak in enough sun to stay sane. I hardly even looked through my photos when I got back. Today I was going through them and found this:
Taken after a forest fire in Astotin Natural Area.
Backlit frosted fennel (edit: actually Cow Parsnip) in the morning. Taken in Cooking Lake Rec Area.
