Thursday, February 28, 2013

WWFN on Pinterest





This Elegant Trogon has an important announcement:


"In case you haven't heard,  Walk With Father Nature  can also be found in other locations."

"Most likely, you are very familiar with Facebook, StumbleUpon, and LinkedIn. I've seen him there every time he publishes a new post." 

"For a good, overall, organized look at several of his photos at one time and one place, I can highly recommend  Pinterest.  I will now let "Father Nature" speak for himself."

Thank you Trogon, how "elegant" of you to let me speak. I see you have moved up in the standings: "Viewers' Favorites". You must be very proud of your colors.

Yes, I have joined Pinterest, and have created 21 "Boards" with 250+ "Pins". Update: As of October, 2014... 320 "Pins". PLEASE NOTE: These are ALL MY OWN PHOTOGRAPHS

 You may click to go there now if you like:   PINTEREST 


The categories are:

Richard Havenga Haiku

Richard Havenga Poetry

Walk With Father Nature

Birds

Wildflowers

Photo Haiku - States

Mammals

Reptiles

Amphibians

Insects

Vines

Clouds

Trees

Horses

Ferns

Fragments of Poetry

Hikes We Like

Garden Flowers

Quotes & Scripture

Excellent Excerpts

Books




Please take occasional trips to Pinterest to see a nice arrangement of the photos, articles, stories, lessons, poetry, Haiku, and hopefully, inspiration.





Please understand that these are all my own photographs, and they are copyrighted.
I do encourage you to Re-Pin any items you like, onto your Boards, and share with others. 
Wherever my "Pins" go, the link  to WWFN travels along. 

You are encouraged to comment below any Pin that you like.
Click on any thumbnail photo to enlarge it. Read comments there, and write a comment there. Click the photo again, and it will bring you over to the original post at WWFN.






"Father Nature" thanks you for "Following" and re-pinning at this new location:  Pinterest 


I also have an extensive profile on  LinkedIn  

However, you can always find me (and the Trogon) at  my home base:  Trogon  

What's that you say Trogon?    ........   " I said,  There's no place like home."




"What about me? I'm colorful too, and I carry my own home."






Photos:

1. Elegant Trogon

2. Flowering Dogwood

3. Pink Lady's Slipper

4. Eastern Box Turtle















Monday, February 25, 2013

"scapes"






"... a view is something our minds make of a place, it is a physical frame around natural fact, a two-way transmission during which the land shapes our eyes and our eyes cut the land into scapes."  

- Gretel Ehrlich











excerpt from:  Islands, The Universe, Home   ©  1991   (Ehrlich)






(Click on photo to enlarge)

Photo Location:  West Elk Wilderness,  (West Elk)  Colorado  (Colorado)









Saturday, February 23, 2013

Conduct of Cows









          How well-behaved are cows!











          They do not obtrude.
          Their company is acceptable.









          For they can endure the longest pause;
          they have not got the need to be entertained. *







          * Henry David Thoreau    Journal - July 1, 1852




All Nature Is My Bride (passages from the JOURNALS arranged as Poetry)

William M. White  ©  1975



(Click on photos to enlarge)




Photo Locations:

1. & 3.  Jack's Cutoff,  Almont,  Colorado  (Colorado)

2.  Twin Creeks,  Montana  (Montana)










Thursday, February 21, 2013

Torn Clouds



gray clouds tear open
briefly let the sun pour in
and close up again
 
 
 





 
 
 
(Click on photo to enlarge) 
 
 
Photo Location:  

 Deep Creek Trailhead,  Gallatin National Forest,  (Gallatin Pine Creek,  Montana  (Montana)






Monday, February 18, 2013

"Flit" the Chickadee




"Flit" the Chickadee


For our daughter Sarah's third birthday (December 1976) I wrote her a little short story. I recently found it tucked inside the back of my Journal for that year. Aaron, our son, was 1½ years old at the time.

Now, over 36 years later, I want to change some of the words, but I offer it here, in its original form, exactly as I wrote it in 1976.  So, read it as if you were reading aloud to a three-year-old. Or a five, seven, or nine-year-old:






          Once there was a little chickadee who lived in the woods near a little girl's house. This chickadee's name was Flit. Flit was a happy little bird because there were many good things to eat in the woods, and in the fields around his home.

Flit had fun all summer long flying from tree to tree, searching for small insects to eat. One day Flit noticed that the leaves were starting to change color. But the most surprising thing that happened was that Flit's feathers started getting thicker.





Flit did not worry about the cooler days and the falling leaves, because he knew that his feathers would keep him warm, and there were plenty of seeds to eat from all those weeds in the fields.

Everyday Flit flew through the fields to find seeds in the weeds. He called to his friends, "chickadee, chickadee-dee-dee."

"Come over by me, and I'll share my seeds. There are enough seeds to feed all of us."

So they ate seeds in the morning and they ate seeds in the evening, and all of Flit's friends were happy because they had lots of food.

One night when Flit was going to sleep he noticed that it was getting much colder than he was used to; so he fluffed his feathers up and tucked his head down into his warm feathers and fell asleep.

The next morning Flit woke up and was very surprised to see that everything was covered with white! This was all very strange to him and he didn't know what had happened. One of his chickadee friends named Flash told him that all the white stuff was called snow, and sometimes it gets very deep and covers all the fields where we get our seeds.





Flit thought that the snow was beautiful, and it certainly changed the looks of the woods and all the land around his home.

But Flit was worried about the snow covering all the weeds that he ate seeds from, and was afraid that he would starve if he couldn't find enough to eat.




The next day it snowed a lot more, and all the places where he used to find seeds were hidden under the deep, deep snow.




Flit was worried and hungry and didn't know what to do about finding some food. Then his friend Flash flew by and called to him, "Come fly with me Flit. Let's go to the little girl's house today. I want to show you a surprise!"




So Flit and Flash flew fast through the forest, and finally found the little girl's house.  Flash said, "See that tiny house hanging from that tree in their yard?"

"Yes I do," said Flit, "what is it?"




"It's called a bird feeder," said Flash, "and the little girl just put a surprise inside it for us. Come along, I'll show you."




When Flit saw what was in the feeder, he couldn't believe his eyes! It was filled with all kinds of delicious seeds. Flit and Flash began to feed on the seed and they both ate enough to fill their empty stomachs.




Flit was so happy for all the food, that he sang joyfully to the little girl who gave him the seed. He flew from tree to tree around the little girl's house singing, "Chickadee, chicka dee-dee-dee."




The little girl looked out the window and saw Flit flying around her house and eating the good seed that she gave them.




This made the little girl happy to see all the birds happy, so she always kept seed in the bird feeder, and smiled when Flit flew near her window.



Every day Flit went to see the little girl and sing her a special thank-you song:

"Chickadee, chickadee-dee-dee."



The End
End Notes
I want to give a special thank you to our good friends and former neighbors in Cascade:
Ann Marie Cunningham, and her 99-year-old mother, Clara Cunningham. They were both gracious and helpful in letting me photograph their Chickadees.
Right across the split rail fence from Cunningham's feeders I saw our former house, where we raised our children, where we spent 27 years of our life, where Sarah and Aaron played outside nearly every day, in every season.
While I was photographing, I kept looking over my shoulder at our old house; so little, but so full of love. I thought of the all good times I had playing and exploring outdoors with my kids back in those days when they were so young. I think of how much time has passed. The word cherish comes to mind. The reality of change. And always gratitude to God for the gift of days.
Sarah, this one is for you. I love you Sarah.
I miss you Aaron.








Listen to the recording of three songs, and the "chickadee-dee-dee" call:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/black-capped_chickadee/sounds








Saturday, February 16, 2013

Winter's West Wind








 
 
west wind drives wet snow
clinging columns of crystals
back woods black and white
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Click on photo to enlarge)
 
Photo Location: Home Woods







 


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Pair of Hearts




a pair of pink hearts
 arching spring perennials
dew gathers within





Some for you if you're blue.



Bleeding Hearts  (Dicentra  spectabilis)


Photo Location:   Home Garden

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

How I Found the Grizzly











       My wife and I were driving into the northeast entrance of Glacier National Park, near Baab, for an early morning hike. We saw two vehicles pulled off in a wide spot in the road, a scenic overlook.

People were scanning the shoreline of Lake Sherburne with their binoculars. Being Birders, we automatically stopped to see what they were seeing.

"What are you looking for?" asked Father Nature.

"A few Griz were spotted in this area last night," said the man next to his pick-up.

"Any action this morning?"

"My buddy here thinks he heard some twigs and branches snapping way down this slope, but above the lake." These were Montana residents, so I valued their opinion.

Lake Sherburne was about 200 yards out, and 150 feet below our spot. The slope was full of Aspens, 12 - 18 feet tall, growing close together. The lower shrub layer was dense with vegetation. I decided to spend some time here; maybe we'll spot a Grizzly Bear this morning.

Ten minutes later, the guy with the keen sense of hearing said he was now smelling bear. I walked to the edge of this fairly steep slope and looked downhill. It was so clogged with vegetation from ground level to eight feet up, that I could see only about 30 feet in.

I learned what I could from these Montanans, thanked them, then left them to begin my own search. I knew better than to enter the dense underbrush when the bear might be down there. For ten minutes I kept walking up and down the edge of the pavement looking for better visibility through the scrub.

While Mary stayed near our own pick-up, I ventured about 80 yards back up the road.

 I waited alone, listening intently. After ten minutes of seeking, scanning, straining to see anything big and brown, I heard the sound of something large moving through thick brush. I judged the sound to be about 50 to 60 feet away, downhill.

I peered through leaves, intensely alert. Then I saw branches moving. A patch of leaves thrashing on this calm morning. Then a vague, partial outline of a large, dark object... moving.





Look carefully at the 2 o'clock position; see the berries they were eating?

Since I was far from my truck at this point, I had made a previous escape plan with the fellow with the good nose. I would sprint and jump into his SUV, only 30 yards away, if things got dangerous.

A few minutes later I definitely got a glimpse of the top of the bear's head.





It's about thirty feet away now. Between the leaves, can you see the white of its eye?

I probably should have left the scene at this point. Using hand signals, I indicated to the others my confirmed sighting. I discovered later that they were discussing my situation as confirmed crazy. I agree now, but I was passionate about capturing a Grizzly photo.

Although the shrubs and saplings were thick, and although I was well above the bear's location, I also knew the potential speed and strength of this powerful creature. I was knowingly putting myself at risk, in hopes of getting at least one photograph.

Suddenly, up popped the massive head of a Grizzly Bear !





OH MY GOSH ! Too close. I better get out of here.

Branches obscuring my view through the lens. Tough to focus on the moving bear through the layers of leaves while walking backwards quickly.





He's staring right at me. Am I breakfast? Lunch and dinner for the family? I was able to grab a few partial shots before I scrambled away. As I backpedaled, I kept watching for the bear to emerge. I retreated toward the safety of the other vehicles.




Seconds later, two Grizzly Bears emerged; right where I was standing.






This one is returning to the down slope to look for the rest of the family.

Notice the characteristic hump above the shoulders, and the dish-faced profile.

Length (head & body) : 6 - 7 feet (180-213 cm).

Height at shoulder: 3 - 3½ (91-107 cm).

Weight: 325 - 850 pounds (146-382 kg).

 




Claws on front feet are curved, about 4 inches long (102 mm).






You can see a few of the 42 teeth contained in its skull.


From a safer distance we watched as three Grizzly Bears ambled across the road and up the rocky slope to disappear into more dense brush to continue their browsing and feeding.








I got some shots. 

                             I was there.

                                                Intensely alive.

                                                                             Adrenaline-filled.

                                                                                                            Grateful to God for this opportunity.










Grizzly Bear   (Ursus horribilis)



(Click on photos to enlarge)

Photo Location:  Glacier National Park,  (Glacier)  Montana  (Montana)









Sunday, February 10, 2013

Pitcher Plant



One late September day, we were exploring the wilds of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I stepped off the trail and walked into a bog area to check out the native species.

There at my feet was this amazing Pitcher Plant. More specifically, the Purple Pitcher Plant.
It was getting deep into the dusk, so I had to step up the ISO for this photo. I wish I had more to show you, but this is all I had the time or the light for.



Living leaves often turn quite red in the fall.


Notice the flared-out lip, a sort of landing platform, with nectar glands and conspicuous reddish veins. See the fine, downward-pointing hairs. These contain a numbing secretion that make an insect's escape very difficult. Below that is a smooth-walled, slippery constriction, a further impediment to escape.

Prey fall into the pitcher and drown in rainwater that collects in the base of each leaf.

Prey includes flies, ants, spiders and moths, which are digested by the invertebrate community in the water: mosquitoes and midges.

Protists, rotifers (one-celled animals), bacteria, and possibly plant enzymes then decompose trapped insects, and convert their tissues into nitrogen and other nutrients, which are absorbed by the plant. This absorption occurs in special cells at the bottom of the pitcher.



In the photo below, the stalk is called a scape, and supports the nodding flower. Most of the plant's reproduction actually occurs by continuous budding from the perennial rhizome (root).

 This one was growing in an acidic peat bog. It is the only member of this genus that inhabits cold, temperate climates.

Light surface fires in bogs actually have a rejuvinating effect on the growth of this Pitcher Plant.



 
 
This is the floral emblem of the Canadian provinces Newfoundland and Labrador. 
 
It has been introduced into bogs in parts of Ireland where it has proliferated.
 
Purposeful and pretty; the Purple Pitcher Plant.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sarracenia purpurea
L.
Sarracenia purpurea range

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Click on Photos to enlarge) 
 
 
 
 
Photo Location:  Taquamenon Falls State Park,  (Taquamenon)  Upper Peninsula, (U P) Michigan
 
 
 
Resources:
 
Fieldbook of Natural History - E. Laurence Palmer     c 1949
 
The Book of Swamp and Bog - John Eastman     c  1995
 
Wikepedia -  range map
 
 
 


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Upstream






upstream migration
Grand River's steel-blue water
Art Prize Grand Rapids
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
(Click on photo to enlarge)
 
 
Photo Location:  Downtown,  Grand Rapids,  (Grand Rapids)  Michigan (Michigan)
 
 
 


Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Pursuit of Prey



Scanning/Searching














Found/Focused











Propel/Pursue
 
 
 
 
 















Capture/Consume
















(Click on photos to enlarge)


Red-tailed Hawk:  Buteo jamaicensis


Photo Location:  Hatchet,  Wyoming (Wyoming)




Saturday, February 2, 2013

Rippled Reflection


rippled reflection
a ponderous pelican
prepared for the plunge
© 2013 Richard Havenga


(Click on photo to enlarge)
American White Pelican:  Pelecanus  erythrorhychos


Photo Location:  Oxbow Bend,  Snake River,  Grand Teton National Park,  (Teton)  Wyoming (Wyoming)