These are incredible. There are few things I love more than watching varieties of bees at their work. Sometimes I think of taking photos but great ones like these remind me that I'm better off looking at others'!
Beautiful! And so exciting to see the community that is around us. I would also like to gently remind you that native and non native plants alike support this composed and complex world. Right now I’m am enjoying how much the pollinators are loving the Japanese knotweed and blackberry.
Thanks Natasha. It is true, but there are some (invasive honeysuckle for instance) that I have watched take over huge sections of the park and kill off the native plants by squeezing them out. Though the pollinators and birds will go to them, they don't receive the same benefit and they don't prefer them at all. There are areas of the park I used to find abundant birds and I don't anymore thanks to the honeysuckle. Asian pear trees have a similar affect (plus the stink!).
I hear you. It’s actually incredibly hard to see our beloved spaces taken over and changed In ways we don’t understand. However that doesn’t erase the human centric view of natives versus invasive. If you look up the definition of what an invasive plant is it will confirm the human centric and also economic priority in the meaning.
Often a plant will become opportunistic because the land is already suffering from intense change. Time and time again we have found that the opportunistic plant is taking hold because it has some role to play that our short lifetime doesn’t comprehend. The cottonwood that is coming in to take over is more drought resistant and is thriving as the temperature rises etc. the invasive grasses in my stream bed will ultimately be creating more chances for a slower stream, more mud and then beavers to remit the fact that the stream was diverted 100 years ago for human movement. The birds are choosing to go somewhere else as circumstances change. The landscape is moving and unfortunately, will not stay the same for our enjoyment and safety. However what I do feel is that the more we sit back, and observe, knowing that we do not know the intricate place and play and reason the more we can become part of our surroundings. Which is why your newsletter brings me such joy, and although I hesitated to speak out I have just come from teaching a class on “invasives” where we sat and meditated with the blackberry who taught us how, as far as the plants are concerned, and the animals they dance with, they work in an intricate dance and are very aware of working in community. The fact that we see the landscape being over run or invaded says a lot more about us.
The honeysuckle and the pears are working the long dance, one that does not know what a park is and one that knows deeply what it’s doing. And although I know it’s hard to trust, especially when we carry the shame of living lives which have created such devastation. I know that the plant spirits and other sentient beings have their place and time that is far beyond our understanding. Especially if we carry on pretending to understand the rhythm and needs of nature while still only prioritizing our comfort.
These are incredible. There are few things I love more than watching varieties of bees at their work. Sometimes I think of taking photos but great ones like these remind me that I'm better off looking at others'!
Thank you
Yes. I am finally feeling more normal though I still tire quickly. Turned negative last week.
I’m glad to hear this. I hope you are able to manage enough rest (and Aunt Kathy is too!)
Thank you for this sneak peek! Beautiful. xo
Thanks Kerri
Incredible to see close-up!
Thanks Alison
Amazing!
Thanks Terra
Gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sue
Stunning. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Uncle Bill! Hope you're getting better.
Beautiful! And so exciting to see the community that is around us. I would also like to gently remind you that native and non native plants alike support this composed and complex world. Right now I’m am enjoying how much the pollinators are loving the Japanese knotweed and blackberry.
Thanks Natasha. It is true, but there are some (invasive honeysuckle for instance) that I have watched take over huge sections of the park and kill off the native plants by squeezing them out. Though the pollinators and birds will go to them, they don't receive the same benefit and they don't prefer them at all. There are areas of the park I used to find abundant birds and I don't anymore thanks to the honeysuckle. Asian pear trees have a similar affect (plus the stink!).
I hear you. It’s actually incredibly hard to see our beloved spaces taken over and changed In ways we don’t understand. However that doesn’t erase the human centric view of natives versus invasive. If you look up the definition of what an invasive plant is it will confirm the human centric and also economic priority in the meaning.
Often a plant will become opportunistic because the land is already suffering from intense change. Time and time again we have found that the opportunistic plant is taking hold because it has some role to play that our short lifetime doesn’t comprehend. The cottonwood that is coming in to take over is more drought resistant and is thriving as the temperature rises etc. the invasive grasses in my stream bed will ultimately be creating more chances for a slower stream, more mud and then beavers to remit the fact that the stream was diverted 100 years ago for human movement. The birds are choosing to go somewhere else as circumstances change. The landscape is moving and unfortunately, will not stay the same for our enjoyment and safety. However what I do feel is that the more we sit back, and observe, knowing that we do not know the intricate place and play and reason the more we can become part of our surroundings. Which is why your newsletter brings me such joy, and although I hesitated to speak out I have just come from teaching a class on “invasives” where we sat and meditated with the blackberry who taught us how, as far as the plants are concerned, and the animals they dance with, they work in an intricate dance and are very aware of working in community. The fact that we see the landscape being over run or invaded says a lot more about us.
The honeysuckle and the pears are working the long dance, one that does not know what a park is and one that knows deeply what it’s doing. And although I know it’s hard to trust, especially when we carry the shame of living lives which have created such devastation. I know that the plant spirits and other sentient beings have their place and time that is far beyond our understanding. Especially if we carry on pretending to understand the rhythm and needs of nature while still only prioritizing our comfort.
Thank you for this. You are right, my view is human centric. So much to absorb in this kindly written post, I will sit with it a lot.
So interesting! Outstanding detail!
Thank you
Gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely photos Karen.
Thank you
Fascinating ❤️👍
Thank you Aunt Sharon!
Thanks Martha