Tropical Plants

Heliconia pogonantha

In addition to the great birds at Bijagual, I am always impressed with the diversity and abundance of the plants we see.  It was great to have Paul Foster, botanist extraordinaire and director of Bijagual, at hand to teach us about the plant families and to help me identify the subjects of all of these photos.

If you haven't noticed yet, I love repetition in my photos.  Repetition that changes slightly over a series is everywhere in nature (think of your backbone) and I find it both eye-catching and beautiful.  The photo below shows a fruit stalk extending from the center of this bromeliad.  When I saw this photo it reminded me of a fat, green caterpillar with its legs peaking out underneath.

OK, I know what you are thinking... "Not another dried up plant photo!", but I couldn't resist.  Just look at the amazing repetition of the bracts on this old bromeliad inflorescence (thanks for the correction Paul!)

And the next two photos might be my favorites.  The immature fruits of this bromeliad not only repeat, but they change color and twist at the same time!  It takes my breath away!

And speaking of breath, does this last photo not remind you of a lung?  It is actually a philodendron leaf that has not yet unfurled and I find it lovely and a little revolting at the same time.

Philodendron radiatum

Bird-banding at Bijagual

Birding in the tropics is always a great experience, but getting to see birds in-hand is amazing. This year we had a special treat on our trip to Bijagual.  Susan Shriner (Wildlife Epidemiologist & BFF) and George Farnsworth (Xavier Professor & hubby) put up mist-nets on the property for three days and caught 41 birds and 16 species.  In addition to taking measurements and placing a band on the birds' legs, they will test the birds' for blood parasites.

Below you can see a Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) getting his culmen measured.

This photo shows a female White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei) having a band place on her leg...

and then getting ready to be released.

Below are a few more photos with the species name above each photo.

Bronzy Hermit (Glaucis aeneus)

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica)

Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleagineus)

Passerini's Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii)

Female White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera)

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)

Monkey Ladder Vine

Another awesome find at Bijagual was this monkey ladder vine.  This vine was down by the river and it was about as big as my arm.  I love its twisting, aged curves.  Just imaging if you set out to carve such an object...it would be impossible!

I also have to mention that the monkey ladder vine is a liana.  What is a liana you might ask?  It is "any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy to get access to well-lit areas of the forest" (Wikipedia). 

The point of mentioning this is that the word for liana in Spanish is "bejuco" (pronounced [bay-hoo’-co]) and "bejuco" in my opinion ranks as possibly one of the cutest Spanish words I know. ¡Qué chiquitico!

White-tipped Cycadians

We stayed at Bijagual Ecological Reserve in Sarapiquí for the first half of our Costa Rica trip.  On our first day at the reserve we were lucky enough to see these White-tipped Cycadians (Eumaeus godartii) coming out of their cocoons. It was amazing to see them all come out at the same time, not to mention the colors and the incredible way the wings were folded. 

You can see in the photo below how the wings looked when they first came out...like perfectly flat origami pieces with a hidden surprise.

Below you can see the wings are starting to unfurl.  I don't think I can properly describe in words how beautiful the unfolding process was.  I suppose it is like watching a flower bloom.

Here you can see the wings are completely unfolded.

It wasn't long before their sun-dried wings took them away and all we were left with were dried cocoons.

When I googled this butterfly I came across the Butterflies of America website where there are some great photos of the caterpillars.  Oh, and if you are curious the host plant is Zamia neurophyllidia  - a cycad of course! (Many thanks to Paul Foster, reserve director, for the IDs)

Dried Cecropia Leaves

I haven't posted in a while because after Christmas we (and 20 Xavier University students and faculty) went to Costa Rica!  Every year while everyone else is off looking for monkeys, jaguars, snakes, and toucans I find myself drawn to the ground in search of what I consider to be one of the most beautiful things in Costa Rica - dried Cecropia leaves.

I absolutely love their curvy repetitious arms and the way they decay.  Some of them are nothing more than a skeleton by the time I find them, but the vein structure is incredibly beautiful and delicate, like the one below. 

This bottom photo might be my favorite.  When I look at it I can't help but think that the lobes are huddled together whispering rainforest secrets known only to wise old Cecropia elders.

So next time you are hiking in the Neotropics, watch your step for snakes and these aging treasures resting right at your feet.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!  

Happy Holidays! 

& Happy New Year!

Mercury Glass

For some unknown reason I am always drawn to things with a vintage feel and mercury glass is certainly no exception.  I love the way you can almost see through it if you hold it up to the light.  Apparently true vintage mercury glass had double walls with silver nitrate sealed between the walls to give the silver appearance.  Although mine are not double-walled, they have now become one of my favorite Christmas decorations.  I usually line them up on our marble mantle and I decorate the whole fireplace with silver ornaments.  Hopefully Santa won't knock them over when he comes down the chimney this year!

Elephant Wrapping Paper

The other night I asked George if he could wrap my sister's birthday present.  He asked me what paper he should use.  I sometimes have a hard time using paper that I love, love, love.  You know the kind that is almost too beautiful to use that you don't want to even take it out of the package?  (Yes I know you are thinking I am a crazy hoarder).  But when I saw this roll in the closet I thought it was perfect occasion to finally use it.  When George finished wrapping and came over to show me my jaw dropped and I thought, "this could quite possible be the cutest wrapping paper in the world!" 

So as the author of this blog I try and anticipate my readers' questions so I know you are just dying to know two things.  1) Where did I get this awesome paper? and 2) What is inside?  I won't hold you in suspense because I am terrible at that.  The answers are that I bought this paper at World Market in Columbus (boo hoo we don't have one here in Cincinnati anymore).  And the gift is a most wonderful book I just read entitled, "Love Walked In" by Marisa de los Santos.  I highly recommend it if you want an enjoyable read this holiday.

And last but not least I would like say "Happy Birthday Girlda! Lots of hugs and love!"

Christmas Flowers

Yesterday the doorbell rang and as I ran downstairs I was surprised to find this beautiful flower arrangement on the porch.  At first I thought maybe they were for my neighbor, but then I read the card and they were from my friend Erika and they were for me!  It is such a lovely thing to receive unexpected flowers.

Of course I immediately started fussing over where I would put them.  I usually have candles in the center of this berry wreath, but I have done that for years.  When I took the candles out and put the flowers in, it took my breath away.  I think I actually let out a little squeal of delight.  It was so perfect there and it totally made my day.  Thanks again Erika!

Vintage Metal Bird Trays

This year when I opened up the big chest where I keep my Christmas decorations these two vintage bird trays were on top.  I remember when I bought these at the flea market I was so pleased with the stylized bird design.  I'm no art historian, but they are so 60's to me while at the same time having a Scandinavian (top one) and Asian (bottom one) flair.  They remind me of the birds from one of my favorite books of all time Designs of Chinese Indigo Batik (this book is a must-have if you like this style!). Regardless, they couldn't be more me and they are a wonderful addition to my vintage metal tray collection.  And if you come visit me this month it is very likely I will even serve you tea and scones on one of them!

Osage Orange #2

OK. I hardly ever do this.  In fact I've never let myself do it before.  But I just had to post my second favorite osage orange photo (as compared to the one posted below).  I am a firm believer in choosing the absolute best photo and going with it.  But this time I just couldn't choose so I decided this is my own dang blog and I can do whatever I want!  So there!  If you have a preference either leave a comment, email or facebook me your choice.  I'll post the results so check back soon!

Osage Orange

O' sage orange

Your wrinkled green orb

Stores the wisdom of summer days

Of moving wind

Soaking sun and rain

Swelling to great heights

Fall arrives

Your tiny umbilical cord 

Bears great weight

Textured, bulging cerebrum

A strong wind

Crack!

You're off

Gravity pulls

For three brief seconds, a lifetime

You fly

Now ants stroll down your twisting, verdant pathways

Spreading your stories and seeds

-Vanessa Sorensen

November Berries

The colors have been so beautiful this year that I couldn't resist popping outside for a little photo shoot.  These berries are from the burning bushes that line our driveway and they are in full flame right now!  I also want to wish everyone a happy 11-11-11! 

Everyday Joy

The other day someone asked me what the theme of my blog was and it made me really pause and think.  After grappling with 10,000 things that came to mind, it became clear to me that this blog is about finding beauty and joy in the everyday things that surround us all the time.  It's about stopping to take note and soaking it all in. 

So that's why today I took a picture of something that I look at everyday that gives me joy.  I have this Highland Florals plate sitting on the table where I dry my hair.  I found this plate at a thrift store in Dayton and I am totally gaga over this pattern (so much so that I have been obsessed with finding more of it on ebay, but that's another story).  I also love how the earrings perfectly go with this plate and that every time I see them I think of my friend Libby who made them for me.  (BTW, Libby just started a wonderful blog you should check out here).  Oh, and I forgot to mention that I really like the pattern on the hand towel you see here... I think I got it at World Market a few years back.  Hope you enjoy this little scene as much as I do...and if you ever see this Highland Blue pattern around at a thrift store let me know!

Happy Halloween

Capturing Nature Logo

I was recently asked to give a talk and create the logo for the "Capturing Nature through Art and Photography Festival" at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge that takes place May 12-15.  The festival opens on International Migratory Bird Day and will offer photography workshops, field sketching classes, travel lectures, etc.  It sounds like it will be a great event.  If anyone is interested let me know and I can send you more info.

But back to the point of this post.  I worked on the logo this week and have narrowed it down to three concepts.  I struggled a lot with this logo because it had to incorporate three different ideas - nature, photography, and art.  No small feat I tell you!  You can see what I came up with below.  There are several options within each concept.  Right now I haven't worked on the font at all and they all need a little further tweaking, but I didn't want to go any further without deciding on the direction.  So let me know your favorite.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Concept 1 - 3D Circles

Concept 2 - Shutter Palette

Concept 3 - Tripod Easel

Late Summer Tomatoes

I guess that pumpkin stack got into my brain and is now affecting me (reminds me of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and potato mounds...OK that's showing my age).  Anyway, we got these tomatoes a couple weeks ago and I thought their shape and color was so nice I had to take their picture.   Someone told me the orange tomatoes are less acidic than the red.  All I know it that they were quite tasty sliced up and salted with a little Tony Chachere's with hummus on George's homemade bread.  Mmmmm...delicious!

Clothesline

At the beginning of summer George surprised me by hanging a clothesline under out new screen porch.  At first I was less than thrilled and made a snarky comment about looking like the Beverly Hillbillies.  But I have to say I am now totally hooked!

We have now gone through a whole summer not using the dryer.  Well, we do use it, but just on air fluff to take away the stiffness (or as I like to call it the crustiness). 

But besides the energy savings there is something wonderfully magical about it.  The other day I was outside hanging these sheets.  The sun was out and there was a slight breeze and it just felt good on so many levels.  It's green, it gets me outside on a beautiful day, the laundry smells fresh and clean, and it forces me to slow down.  Normally I dread doing the laundry and I try and do as many loads as I can in one day.  But with this method you can only do one load a day.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but it made me crazy happy to be out there at that moment.  So if you have the space I highly recommend it.  Bring it on Granny Moses!