Going with the Sway

No worries. No problems. Everything's gonna be alright...

Those are the thoughts that I imagine this little beetle is having.

While the wind is blowing and the tall grasses are swaying to and fro the beetle isn't very concerned. Up and down it continues to go about its business while the world outside of its intention is doing something else...

Coming Out From Under

I've been having a headache/migraine for the past 5 days. It is not fun. When I am in the throws of the headache it feel like I am this tree, enveloped in the fog of pain (to put it mildly).

But I am starting to come out now and that clearing away of the mist is as refreshing (and welcome) as this tree is beautiful as it emerges from its own haze...

Spring in the City

Yesterday was a beautiful foggy morning so I got up and ran out to be a part of it. For two hours I wandered in my "urban oasis" city-park called, Forest Hill Park -- and it was magical.

Aside from the lovely misty and mysterious energy in the air, encouraged by the fog (and I'll have some photos of *that* beauty coming up soon), I was given an incredible treat of spending time with a herd of deer. I don't mean one or two deer -- I'm talking about a whole herd. I counted 10 of them.

I know this isn't such an amazing experience in and of itself, but I live in a first-ring suburb of a city of about 500,000 people. Forest Hill Park is only about five miles from the center of that city. It's a small space but somehow seems to have provided shelter so that a whole herd of deer could develop this spring.

I try not to think about where they all will go (since surely the space of Forest Hill Park is too small to contain them for long) as I bid the gentle creatures safe passage on their journeys and I remember the special morning I spent with them.

Out from Hiding

Yesterday I went to Forest Hill Park in the morning and not only did I see a baby fox (of which I wasn't, unfortunately, able to get a photo) but I also saw this gorgeous deer. He was walking slowly and didn't seem to be too frightened.

I am still so amazed that my urban park is so wild. I hope the animals I see there are able to survive. It is quite a small space where they are trying to live.

Any glee I feel at seeing them is tempered by worry that they are so encircled by humans and city life.

Keeping Watch

This papa (or mama) goose kept a keen eye on me while its goslings pecked around under the water for food. While other adult geese around dove below for food this vigilant one did not. This goose took it's job seriously -- that of protecting the gaggle.

Cushioned in Pink

Another pleasing shot I got at "my" Forest Hill Park.

More City Oasis Wonderfulness

I am loving my local Forest Hill Park and since today is a gorgeous June day I will go there for another walk a little later on.

Just thought I'd throw up another photo from a recent walk. I'm not really sure what this specific representative of flora is called but upon further inspection it is quite intriguing with it's multitude of baby buds swaying in the summer wind.

New Growth from Old

Yesterday on my walk through my new favorite place, Forest Hill Park, I came across an old tree trunk that was no longer a tree. It had been cut down (or fell down) so that the remaining trunk was about as tall as I am.

Although the trunk was no longer the huge tree it surely must have been once it still has its old kick in it since it is sprouting out some new growth.

I love how nature can just, "keep on going." It takes a hit, like being cut down, but doesn't give up entirely. The urge is to continue growing no matter what adversity it faces...and survives.

City Oasis Meadow Flowers

I have an urban oasis city park called, "Forest Hill Park" located about a mile away from where I live. This park was given to the city by John D. Rockefeller many years ago and at that time it was stipulated that the park always remain as such. I've been walking the paths in the park for years but last year I found a dirt trail path hidden in the woods.

When I walk the dirt path there is a ravine and a brook at the bottom. There are water falls and hidden corners. When I am immersed in the woods I can not hear any of the street noises that are invariably still going on around me. It takes me about an hour (at a fast pace!) to walk the entire trail. It is amazing to me that this slice of quiet nature is tucked within the bustling suburb/city.