Tho' a million sets of eyes have looked O'er hundreds of years this way trekked The mysterious loop 'round Cooper Island Among the skunk cabbage, foamflower, and turtlehead None yet have found ancient lost treasure Ne'ertheless, wide-eyed wanderers endeavor Scampering across raised boardwalk planks Ducking und'r bellies of mighty trunks Hoping to stumble 'cross never... Continue Reading →
Unexpected visit Down the lengthy driveway from my house there is a metal box affixed to a granite post. I wonder if any unexpected surprises from the postal service await me this day. On my route, a strange, but friendly feline saunters up to greet me. Its fur is a mix of grays arranged in... Continue Reading →
As dusk devours the landscape, so too does an eerie, haunting sensation consume me. A peculiar plant prevents my further passage to the safety of my home, with its gaunt arms of green and grayish-brown taunting me to come nearer. A chill brushes over me, and the shrub rustles with a sinister whisper, and I... Continue Reading →
Fall Flare It's a delicate timing balance between witnessing the peak color intensity of the season and that moment the leaves decide to suddenly drop like confetti at midnight on New Year's day. While it may be short-lived, catching a glimpse of that fall flare is a sensory pleasure whether it's during a casual nature... Continue Reading →
Ordinarily this would be an idyllic setting for a rendezvous. Was this female mallard stood-up by her prospective date? Or is she waiting like a traditional sea captain's wife, hopeful for her mate to return home from his long voyage? Or does she already suspect the worst and her low, distinctive quacking will continue to... Continue Reading →
Seasonal vibrance The air is becoming cool and crisp. Doorsteps, lampposts, and mailboxes are adorned with cornstalks, gourds, pumpkins, and cornucopias - signifying the plentiful harvest and the generous feasts to come. Changing trees create an inviting atomsphere and embody the obvious transition from the warm summer days to the cozy fireside evenings of winter.... Continue Reading →
Elegant zinnia Between the daily visits from woodchucks, rabbits, and deer it's a wonder that any plant from our garden with a mature height of six feet or less manages to survive. But zinnia flowers thrive and are resilient in the face of these adversities. This must be why many cultures see the zinnia as... Continue Reading →
Dahlia Clarion The nearly black foliage and rounded lemon yellow petals of this dahlia species make for a passing resemblance of its little pollinator friend. With a blooming season that lasts from mid-summer until the first frosts, this bitty bee has plenty of time to collect pollen and nectar ahead of winter. But you can... Continue Reading →
Is there any other flower's fragrance that evokes a stronger memory of pleasant, leisurely seashore walks on a warm summer afternoon in New England? Words and images by Michael J. Hall
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