Mighty Flying V

Walking back to the library from Durand. From high above and behind, the sound of squaking geese resounds. It grows louder and louder until finally, reaching the library, the geese are flying overhead. Majestic creatures with an amazing sense of community, flying together in three V formations, resounding their presence loudly accross the campus. Duck inside the door, the sound is gone. back to reality of computers and books.

Forest Blue

Found yet another wonderful nature photo. This one represents a forest obviously, seemingly during the day, on a rainy day. A storm had just subsided on this canopy of green, throwing a gloomy blue shadow over the earth. The scene is magical, a fog that is both inviting and menacing. It makes me think of the fantasy of elves living deep in the forest, a gloomy yet magical fog that draws you in although sticking fear within.

Hugging Moss

Moss. The hairy green monster that encompasses the dead, and living. A whole tree can be lost under its cover fuzzy covers, blanketed from the elements. A monster that feeds of sunlight, but clings to another, non-parasitical in nature. The darkness flowing in, the rain from the morning long gone, the green monster hugs the log tight, in a warming embrace.

SNOW

It snowed today. For the first time this year (not including the first months of the year that is) and it was beautiful. Its amazing we made it through november without a snowfall. Im ready now for a white winter, so it should come soon. I want to have snowball fights.

Now December

Its now December. Its amazing we made it through November without a single snowflake falling to the earth. I cant remember the last time that happened. Global warming to blame? Or is it just a natural occurrence? Hard to say, but either way, its been a lovely November. Will December match it? With snow of course...unless it doesnt snow?? Doubt it, its the midwest. Unpredictable weather, but predictable enough to know it will eventually snow. Whether that snow will remain on the ground remains to be seen. Time will tell, time will tell.

Creeping Out

This picture looks like many different things. One, the rock formation looks like a foot wearing one of those shoes with a dangling ball on the toes, but the ball is submerged under the water. Two, it looks like a goose feeding in the water. Three, it could be a left hand with the index finger curled outward. Four, it could be Hooks claw! Floating black thing in the middle of the water...what is it?

One day. One night. Frost upon the ground..crunching under the weight of my feet. Need for the scraper the remove the frost from my cars windows. its not winter yet...thats not for another month. Why the frost? Oh and it makes it better...next day. 50 degrees. Sunny. Warm. A beautiful day. Midwest weather is ridiculous let me just say.

The Trees by Rush

There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.

The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.

There was trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.

Into the Greens

Straight for as long as the eye can see...right into the trees. The sun shines bright, but the road dark, shaded by the many trees lining its length. Grasses and bushes choke the road as it stretches itself through the greens, endless road through green, contrary to endless road through brown.

LOTR

So as one can see, this photo is a waterfall water hole. When I look at this picture I immediately think of Lord of the Rings when Golem is banging a fish to death on a rock in the Forbidden Pool thing. This pool is far more elegant however, with its lush assortment of plants along the rim, and only small rocks away from the falls. This to me would be a wonderful place to sit, relax and listen to the sound the water makes as it crashes to the pool below.

This picture, caught my attention as well. A bridge, out of place in all the foliage around it, yet a feeling that it truly does belong. It is withered and rusted with time, implying it has been present in this environment for a long period of time, integrating into the nature around it; becoming one with the life surrounding it. I feel like if this bridge were removed now, it would take away the strength of this place, this picture.

Invasive species. Metaphors. War. Invasive species are often referred to in terms of war through metaphors.  This way of communication about invasive species can be both beneficial to informing the general public about the need to get rid of them, however it can also be harming to do so. My stance: I believe it is useful to refer to invasive species in terms of war.

Cold. Bright. Windy. Sunny. Barren Trees. Green Grass. Blowing Leaves. Fluffy Clouds. Crisp Air. Clear Skies.

This and that, parts of which can be seen in most seasons...others in only one. Some mornings I wake up thinking it will be a wonderful warm day...turns out its freezing.

Doorway to Otherside

So I found this picture, and it immediately struck me with awe. With its beautiful orange and yellow and red colors blending in the essence of Fall, a lone stone doorway sits. It is an inviting doorway, one that will show one all that they desire. It is not easy to find, for it shows only to those worthy of its use. The path leading to it is shroud with leaves, but on the otherside, there is only grass. No path leads past the doorway.  A new existence is through that door. Tho looking through it, you see only the rest of the forest...walk through it, and the world you knew will be gone. Possibly. Forever.

Quotes

"Farmers are the only indispensable people on the face of the earth."

— Li Zhaoxing, Ambassador, China

"The diligent farmer plants trees, of which he himself will never see the fruit."

— Cicero

"The correlation between poverty and obesity can be traced to agricultural policies and subsidies."

— Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma

"Cows were made to eat grass.... The two biggest things that harm a cow are grain and concrete. By kicking the cows outside and letting them be on the sod and letting them eat the grass, you can get rid of about 90% of your cow problems."

— Kevin Sullivan, dairy farmer

Another nice fall day today. No work. Enjoy the day. Sun shines, birds sing. Leaves fall, the air crisp. Love Fall.

I am very interested in restoration. Learning about the invasive species, how they grow and ways to get rid of them, I would enjoy a project with which I was a part of the removal of these species. Getting to work on the earth, dirtying my hands with labor as people did long ago before modern technology is very appealing to me. I hope to one day do just that...be a part of restoration....but for now...medicine is my calling.

Buckthorn. An invasive species that has invaded many environments in the Lake Forest area. We pulled some today in class. This species is clever in its growth. The stems connect underground where a non-absorbtive extension produces new buds for new growth. Furthermore, the berries, which are eaten by birds, are distributed over a vast area when the birds excrete the seeds. An excellent invasive species. Buckthorn.

Although the weather today is completely atypical of November in the midwest, i couldnt be happier...after having cold days when there shouldnt have been, having warm days when there shouldnt be is joyous. The air is so fresh and clean, the trees still showing off their colors and dropping their leaves to the earth. Fall is a wonderful time of year.

Chicago

Over the last 4 days I have spent 2 full days in Chicago, and what an experience it has been. The structures in the city are magnificent, every one of them drawing my attention in some way or another, from its sheer size to its rundown appearance to the artwork drawn upon the walls. I had only recently been playing with the idea of living in Chicago following graduation, and after spending the 2 full days there, I have almost solidified my desire to live in the city. Hopefully I can find a great deal on a place soon...

In Sync with Environment

Florescent lights cover the beige tabletops, his hair shining from its intensity. He constantly moves back and forth, side to side, covering every square inch of the space in front of the table adjacent to the wall. Hands moving in crazy fashion, in sync with his speech, unending talk, consistently taking new roads and side-roads, barely leaving time to replenish the breath to continue with the speech. With notebooks on the tables, some 30 sets of eyes focused upon him, he comfortably talks up a storm.

Quotes

The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.  ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923


Modern technology
Owes ecology
An apology.
~Alan M. Eddison


We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.  ~Native American Proverb

Still?

The crickets and grasshoppers belt their music, loud and soft, in a cycle. I am shocked by a bee that flew by my face and around my head, the sound of its wings buzzing in my ear. Walking makes the grasshoppers flee the path, jumping aimlessly for hopeful shelter. A strong, steady wind creates a constant sound of plants rustling together, a peaceful sound. A few grasshoppers jump from one plant to another, not seeming to aim for any particular target. A yellow butterfly takes flight off a rush, flies toward me, but quickly diverts its path, avoiding a collision with me. I look back to see where it went, but it is gone. A white cotton-like seed floats through the air, its path guided by the wind. Another yellow butterfly, weaves its way through the grass. A brown speckled butterfly, beautiful, landed on a purple flowered plant. The trees leaves rustle loudly in the wind. A shower of leaves fall from the tree tops, set loose by the strong wind gusts. Men moving and talking by their white trucks. Upon the gravel, a caterpillar/centipede type creature crawls. It is approximately an inch long, and 5 mm wide, its legs many, but stubbly. It is brown, with lateral ridges down the length of its body. It looks like an extremely long, thin and brown Rollie-pollie.  A cricket, black, and grasshopper jump across the gravel path to safety. A stream grains into the main river with a steady flow, creating a gurgling sound as the waters connect. The sound of geese pierces the air. It is the first avian sound for a long time. The geese fly low under the distant canopy of oak trees in a linear and parallel fashion. A patch of cattails sway in the breeze, sun blocked by the clouds. Rain begins to fall from a partly cloudy sky, the clear blue still visible not too far off. A small bird flies low across the sky, using short bursts of quick flaps to stay with the wind.

River City

My ears filled with a symphony of music with nature as its grand orchestra. Leaves delicately rustle in the passing wind, in constant motion like electrons of an atom. Crickets and grasshoppers play their violins and cellos, adding to the symphonic effect. Detached from the branch, a leaf floats on the air, light as a feather; if not for gravity, it could float forever. One single small ripple in the water as the leaf settles lightly upon its surface. Water grass emerges from the water in small tufts, suburbs to the water grass city farther upstream. The city is densely packed with inhabitants; the water cannot be seen through it. Slowly, the leaf floats away from the suburb, the sailboat making its way downstream, led by the tortoise-slow rivers flow. The water is speckled with people, also floating on downstream, enjoying the peaceful slow ride. A dragonfly flies overhead, silent and swift, a bright blue, landing on a tall grass. A large mass of cotton like seeds tops the grass, a snowcap to the cities mountain. All the while, warmth flows through me as I watch this setting, the sun pouring its splendid rays upon the earth. The scene allowed me to calm from the inside out, to reach out from myself and experience natures beauty, no matter how small.

Painted Land of Sun

The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.  ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.  ~Mohandas K. Gandhi

So i was out last night for a late night walk to the beach. I've mentioned before how the night is peaceful to me. What I noticed most about that night was the brightness and vast amount of stars that were visible. I believe the reason was because there was no moon, but it was amazing. I remember stargazing one day a while back with some friends, just laying on a trampoline, and for the very first time I saw a shooting star. And then another. It was an amazing site.

I constantly look for new backgrounds for my computer, and have used a particular site that contains original pictures either created or taken by individuals. Many of them are of nature, so i often find one i really like, a change it every so often to one those new ones. here is one such picture that I find is amazing. The site I go to is http://interfacelift.com/
Everyone should check it out.

The night has a way of calming the nerves. the sound of the crickets, and the quiet breeze wash away all the hardships of the day.

Was walking from south to middle campus, when i noticed two deer, simply grazing on the grass next to the path near Rosemary house. Beautiful creatures these deer. One of the deer paid no attention to the people walking by, the other, was a little jumpy, but remained where it was eating the grass or berries or something. They seemed both out of place and like they belonged. had this site occurred in Chicago, there would be a definite feeling of misplacement of those deer. But here in Lake Forest, it is not, for most of it is forest land. Its only natural for them to travel across our campus.

I was stuck inside for the better part of the day. A beautiful day that was worth taking advantage of. The little time i had to enjoy it was extremely pleasant. The sunlight was warm upon my skin, sent warmth throughout my body. That was the only good feeling I had all day.

There is something so pleasing about driving with your windows down, feeling the wind against your face and your hair blowing everywhere. It makes me feel alive for some reason.

Dark Clear Blue

Was driving home this afternoon and happened upon a lovely site. The sun shining brightly upon the ground, clear blue skys...but up ahead...a vast dark ominous overcast, upon which I was entering. The clouds formed a near perfect line across the sky, separating the dark clouds from the clear sky. There was a clear and obvious difference once I dove under those clouds, for the sun disappeared, and the temp dropped by at least 5 degrees. The air all around was foggy and misty, and sort of creepy, yet at te same time, calming.

The air is alive with the sound of the cicadas, the drone of a machine steady in the background. The air is cut sharp by the chirp of birds. I really must read for my class tomorrow, but I have still yet to receive my books. I also have to search diligently for graduate school programs that interest me. An airplane thunders overhead, joining the chorus of the cicadas and the machine. I heard a rustling as the wind caresses the leaves in the treetops, seconds later, I feel the wind upon my skin. I must buy the GRE study materials. I need to cal Dave back. And Joe. The sound of crickets and grasshoppers sporadically joins the chorus. My skin is a pincushion, a constant need to itch. A buzzing by my ear as an insect flys by. The cicadas create a symphony, starting softly on the right, they crescendo and move to the left, and slowly they decrescendo and go quiet. Although, not quite quiet, for the leaves still rustle in the wind, and the machines steady drone continues. I'm hungry and in dire need of a nap. 

Why is it that people are so withdrawn from nature? Its also interesting, "nature" as it is defined, can mean a variety of different things. I find it odd that many people do not consider themselves or the places in which we live part of nature. I feel everything is part of nature. It is just the perception of it that is different.

Nature is usually thought of as plants and trees and grass and animals. However, humans are a part of nature, and what we create could then also be considered part of nature now. Only reason i say that is because, gazing out of a window high above the city of Chicago, with Soldier Field straight ahead and the lake to the right, the heart of the city slightly to the left, it is a beautiful site to behold. Magnificent structures created by a creature of nature and arranged in an almost artistic fashion.

A day not too long ago, I was sitting on a bench next to a waterfall, simply watching some ducks swim around, find food, clean themselves, or just lounge. It was quite peaceful, with the steady roar of the waterfall, the call of various birds, and the constant buzzing of insects along with the wonderful display of plant life that flourished there. Oddly however, there was one duck whom decided to separate him or herself from the rest of the flock. The duck was walking on the rock at the bottom of the waterfall, alone, but seeming not to care. It seemed perfectly content being alone, having the water roll over its feet as it walked. Watching that duck struck a fiber in me.

Thin and Thick

Thin: Shooting Star Savanna

Starring out from my seat on the stone circle, a fallen tree in front of me. Most of the tree lies on the ground, old and rotten. The stump remaining is hollow, with the particular section facing me, gone. The stumps top is rigid, with jagged bark, the largest pieces forming a V-shape. Saplings, small trees about twice the height of the stump, which stood about 5-6 ft, surround the stump. They are growing right up next to the stump. The saplings are leaning inward towards the tree line. Surrounding the stump and the saplings is a large open area of grassland. Many different types of small plants are growing here, many of them with yellow flowers of various varieties, other small plants with white flowers. Bees and other insects fly around from yellow flower to yellow flower. The sunlight streams peacefully on the savanna, while the stump and saplings are shroud in shadow from the large trees to the right. On the left, there is the forest tree line, where most of the trees that are visible have small trunk circumferences. There is great variety in both height and the types of trees in the forest. The bark of one tree is smooth but has small ridges while other trees bark is very rough and cracked. The sunlight is speckled upon the smaller trees and the ground. There is a sort of semi-circle tree line in which a sign post is standing in the middle. There is substantial writing upon this sign.

Thick: Shooting Star Savanna

Gazing out from my seat on the white stone circle, placed carefully in front of the forest tree line of the savanna, a fallen tree lies in front of me. Most of the tree is lying on the ground, old and rotten. The stump remaining is hollow, with the particular section facing me, gone as if it were a beckoning doorway. The stumps top is rigid, with jagged bark, the largest pieces forming a V-shape, possibly formed by a lightning strike for there seemed to be no other explanation for this tree to be downed. There are saplings, small trees about twice the height of the stump, which stood about 5-6 ft, surrounding the stump, almost seeming to grow right out of it, new grows from a long dead seed. These saplings are leaning inward towards the savanna tree line as if wishing to be a part of their clan. The open savanna surrounds the old stump and saplings, with the tree line to the left, and a few large trees to the right. Multiple types of small plants are growing here, many types of grasses and flowering plants. Most of the flowering plants are sporting yellow flowers of various varieties, while others are sporting small white flowers. The bees and other insects are flying from yellow flower to yellow flower in search for nectar to quench their hunger, and in the process, fertilize plant after plant and it moves. The sunlight streams peacefully upon the savanna, while the stump and saplings are shroud in shadow as if being shielded from some ominous force. Observing the trees, most appear to have small trunks clearly indicating their youth upon the earth. Some could be only a decade old, although some others seem older than I, yet still young by tree age. On the other hand, there are old timer trees as well, huge monstrous trees, seemingly at least a century old. The trees that are to the right of the stump also are very old large trees, guardians of the young and growing foliage. The tree line forms a sort of semi-circle in which a sign post is strategically placed in the middle. There is substantial writing upon this sign, more than likely explaining something about the savanna.

Thin: Fields behind Hockey Rink

Gentle cool breeze. Birds chirping, insects buzzing, leaves rustling. Sunlight splashed upon the soccer fields, the grass alternating shades of green in a pattern, painted lines upon the grass, both white and yellow. Sun reflecting off a goal post. A large wooden poll stands tall behind the large building. Near its base is a large gray box with wires coming out of the back. Two gray wires extend out its top, upward toward a large panel, extended out from the poll and slanted towards the sun, with many black squares upon its surface. On the top of the poll, an odd looking device sits, rectangular and white, one side is thin, while the other side is thick. The thick end narrows to a point in four places toward the thin end, leaving three spaces between them. The building behind is opaque and dull. Rust and weathered paint, missing side panels. Many pieces of equipment are stored along its wall. Hanging on the wall are three stacks of green and gray hoses, hanging in disarray. A black folding chair stands upright against a large stack of red bricks, while a goal stands in front of the hanging hoses.

Thick: Fields behind Hockey Rink

A gentle cool breeze caresses my body while the sound of the birds and rustling leaves caress my ears. In the distance there is the sound of traffic, and the steady smack the tennis ball against the racket. Sunlight splashing upon the soccer fields, white and yellow painted lines upon the patterned shades of grass. A goal post stands bright white from the sun dancing off it. Behind the large building, a wooden poll stands tall, stretching towards the sky. Near the base of the poll, a large gray electrical box hangs and, with wires protruding out its bottom and its top. Two wires extend upward toward a panel, which is extended off the poll and slanted up towards the sun, with many black squares upon its surface, apparently a solar panel to power something. Upon the polls top, an odd looking device, from the looks of it, appearing like a siren of some sort, sits. It is white, and rectangular, with two distinct sides, one thin one thick, the thick end extending toward the thin side in four places, leaving 3 open spaces between them. The large building behind the poll, the hockey rink, is opaque and dull. The sides of the building look old, with missing panels, some cracked and broken. There was plenty of rusted metal and clearly weathered paint. Along the side of the rink were piles of random items and equipment. Upon the wall hung three piles of green and gray hoses, obviously hung by someone in a bit of a hurry, for they were all in disarray. There was also a lonely black folding chair leaning against a stack of red bricks, while a soccer goal stood as if shielding the hoses from harm.