Bearing Witness

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Betrayed by the Shadow

It was the shadow that betrayed its presence. Backlighting by the sun created a shadow on the leaf. This Cope's Gray Treefrog was revealed-- hiding in the leaf of a Prince's Feather (Amaranthus sp.) in my native wildflower plot.

I thought about Shadow & Light in our lives and remembered this beautiful poem by the mystical poet Rumi --


Cope's Gray Treefrog

Shadow and Light Source Both

How does a part of the world leave the world?
How does wetness leave water?

Don't try to put out fire by throwing on
more fire! Don't wash a wound with blood.

No matter how fast you run, your shadow
keeps up. Sometimes it's in front!

Only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow.
But that shadow has been serving you.

What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is
your candle. Your boundaries are your quest.

I could explain this, but it will break the
glass cover on your heart, and there's no
fixing that.

You must have shadow and light source both.
Listen, and lay your head under the tree of awe.

When from that tree feathers and wings sprout on you,
be quieter than a dove. Don't even open your mouth for
even a coo.

Rumi (1207 - 1273)

Friday, August 9, 2013

Raptor Rendezvous: The Annual Indiana Raptor Center Fundraiser Event

I want to share information about a great event! The Indiana Raptor Center is located in Brown County, Indiana. They devote their lives to the care and rehabilitation of injured and ill raptors. The IRC also educates the public about the importance of these magnificent birds and their lives. Much time and money is spent 24/7-- 365 days a week caring for their residents of owls, hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures.

I want to encourage readers to attend this event and if you can't . . . donate money or supplies to the cause! Here is the info--

This is Elmo--Barred Owl. I photographed him at an event.

The annual Indiana Raptor Center fundraiser event, Raptor Rendezvous, happens this year on September 7 at the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park. We have a new event format that includes dinner, cash bar, an amazing bird program with birds of prey from 5 different rehabilitation and education centers, a silent auction with local art/craft and gourmet items, and a raffle of artwork!!. Come join us for the fun!!

Doors open, including cash bar and silent auction browsing, at 6:00 PM

Dinner buffet starts at 6:30 PM

Program from 7 – 9:15 PM

Includes breaks for auction browsing, raffle ticket and merchandise purchase, visits to bar

Raffle results and silent auction results from 9:15 – 9:30

Tickets are $28 per person

and can be purchased from Indiana Raptor Center:

Phone credit card to 812-988-8990

Send check to PO Box 1153 Nashville IN 47448

Paypal to www.indianaraptorcenter.org

Tickets MUST be purchased by August 24

Ticket holders will receive the following:

· Name on greeting list at Brown County State Park North Gate for free park admission

· Dinner and dessert at the Raptor Rendezvous Mexican buffet

· Admission to Raptor Rendezvous program, silent auction, raffle, and cool vending

· Two rows of up-front program seating for photographers, flash permitted

· A tax deduction letter for $12 of each ticket purchased!!

· One free ticket if you arrange for a table of 10 attendees!!

Please come help support our rescue and education efforts -

have a fun Saturday night -

and do some early Christmas shopping!!

THE BIRDS ARE COUNTING ON YOU !!

Cash or check donations, as always, are tax deductible.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

A Return-- Photographic Study of American Lotus Leaves

I have been absent from my blog for quite some time now. Most recently I have been photographing American Lotus plants at a local pond. I appreciate the owners generosity in allowing me access to this site.
One of the many things I enjoy when photographing is finding a subject and photographing the details of my subject-- seeing it from different perspectives, angles, light, shapes, and parts. Enjoy these images of this marvelous (although prolific) plant of shallow waters. In this study I am sharing images of the leaves/pads. Perhaps more later . . . of flowers & pollinators!


Curling American Lotus Leaf & Reflection


Lotus Leaf & Damselflies

Patterns in Lotus Leaf

"The Maker of this earth but patented a leaf."-- Henry David Thoreau

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Pine Trees--Free From Blame

PINE TREE GROVE

I love to saunter through a pine tree grove. The deep needle bed below my feet in inviting. It beckons me to come lie below the arching drapes of green branches as the earth cushions me. The rush of wind through the needles wraps itself around me and I feel comforted. All is well as I melt into Nature.

Joni L. James Photography/HeronWatch Nature Programs

Nothing stands up more free from blame in this world than a pine tree.

-- Henry David Thoreau

Friday, January 18, 2013

16th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count 2013

The 2013 GBBC is coming in February!

GBBC Website

Hey Birdwatchers! The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual 4-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. This citizen science program contributes to bird conservation and research.
Everyone is welcome--from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.
Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see during their count period. They enter these numbers on the GBBC website.

Locally, I will be conducting a GBBC Workshop on February 5, 2013 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the County Administration Bldg. in Martinsville, Indiana through the Morgan County Soil & Water Conservation District. The workshop will include info on how to collect and input data and identify birds. It is free but we would like you to register by calling 765-349-2060.

If you are not in this area, please take time to participate! It can take as little as 15 minutes.

For more info on the GBBC: www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

I will post reminders in the future! You can also LIKE my Facebook Page and follow news, photos, education, & happenings

It is a great citizen science project to be involved in and help contribute to science and conservation!