Stone Mountain Meanderings

Nameless

A tiny fern appreciates its anonymity.

 

© 141229-002  Small Fern
    Stone Mountain Park
    Monday 29 December 2014
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Her Winter Vacation

Hail to the Golden Crowned Kinglet back for winter vacation in the Park. She's tiny, quick, and busy without pause.

 

© 141229-007  Golden Crowned Kinglet
    Regulus satrapa
    Stone Mountain Park
    Monday 29 December 2014
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Drug Store Leftover

Holiday ornaments
Decorate the forest.

 

© 141221-006 Oak-leaved Hydrangea
    Hydrangea quercifolia
    Stone Mountain Park
    Sunday 21 December 2014
.

All wet

Did someone really say,
'A Universe in every drop.'
...

(I didn't think so.)

 

© 141220-002  Raindrop on Twig
    Stone Mountain Park
    Saturday 20 December 2014
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"Don't bother me"

     The jack-hammered rivet gun rattles, splintering bark for morsel sized bug snacks. This rapid head banging ain't recommended for those without a rock hard skull and beak of tempered steel.  It ain't possible without specialized toes - two pointing forward, two back - with sharp curved nails for secure clinging.  It ain't accurate without heavy-duty, after-market tail feathers propped against the branch for balanced chiseling.  This is the Pileated Woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, outfitted for serious DE-construction.   Females sport a black mustache flowing backward from the beak, along the cheek. Males prefer sensuous red.  This one, favorably exposed by the winter woods, is the hard working female.



© 131225-004 Pileated Woodpecker
  Stone Mountain Park
  Wednesday 25 December 2013
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Steam no more

     The petite Scarlet O'Hara paddles leisurely about the Lake on a bright December morn in 2005.  Today, she can be found in a small cozy dock retired from service and completely beyond public view. (Still wondering why, I suppose.)  In 1976, they built her right here in the Park, a striking work of heritage art.



© 051227-002 Scarlet O'Hara
Stone Mountain Park
Tuesday 27 December 2005
.

...once upon a log

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
  Jack Frost nipping at your nose
  Yuletide carols being…Gronk!"

  (…the Dude got my best side.)



© 131216-001 Heron on Log
Stone Mountain Park
Monday 16 December 2013
.

brief essay: 'the Principles of Hydraulics'

Water flows.  Wheel turns.
Camera takes nice picture.

"quod erat demonstrandum"



© 131215-007 Mill Wheel Close-up
Stone Mountain Park
Sunday 15 December 2013
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Nature Trumps

Disregarding plans of man,
Gutsy fungi hatch their own.




© 131215-003 Fungi On Trail Blaze
Stone Mountain Park
Sunday 15 December 2013

.

the closing

Intense reds, stout green stems
Last of the seasonal colors
Retire without ceremony.



© 081209-003 Unknown Red Leaves
Stone Mountain Park
Tuesday 09 December 2008
.

allusions...

 "There's an aura here today!"
  Notions, tones, sensations
  That I like very much.



© 131207-010 Beech with Mossy Rocks
Stone Mountain Park
Saturday 07 December 2013
.

Viz, Cladonia chlorophylaea

When all else seems to fail,
a concealed patch of Pixie Cup Lichen
helps me smile.



© 131207-021 Pixie Cup Lichen
Stone Mountain Park
Saturday 07 December 2013
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"SET ME FREE"

[ Google App > ... Tanysopheus? The long-necked Sea Lord! ]


"Hey!  I don't think so!"

© 131206-004 Tanystropheus?
Stone Mountain Park
Friday 06 December 2013

close enough

The spectacular requires some risk
        as intimacy often does.



© 091226-008 Granite Dome
Stone Mountain Park
Saturday 26 December 2009
.

Don't blink or twitch

I dare not blink or twitch. A tiny vibration, a puff of wind ripples over this imaginary space. Once vibrant, the outcrop in soft light simply melts away.

 

 

©131201-007 Outcrop Reflection
Stone Mountain Park
Sunday 01 December 2013
.