There’s something intriguing about silhouettes. Without using words, they tell a story, leaving the details to your imagination.
“The object of art is to give life shape.” ~Willliam Shakespeare
Nature Silhouettes
dragonfly
Spatterdock (Yellow Pond Lily)
Spatterdock can be found growing around parts of the lake, providing a habitat for a variety of creatures and serving as nourishment for others.
Below is a dragonfly laying eggs on one of the leaves.
“The most beautiful gift of nature is that it gives one pleasure to look around and try to comprehend what we see.” ~Albert Einstein
Dragonflies
During these hot and humid days of summer, while other critters are hidden away in shady, cooler places, dragonflies seem to be out in good number, enjoying the sun.
“When the heat of the summer
Made drowsy the land,
A dragon-fly came
And sat on my hand.”
~Eleanor Farjeon
Laying Eggs
After Common Green Darner dragonflies mate, the male (with the blue abdomen) continues to grip the head of the female (with the reddish-brown abdomen), and together, they fly to a body of water with aquatic vegetation. Here, the female bends her sharp ovipositor into the water and makes incisions into plant stems and leaves, where she carefully lays her eggs. After about a week, the eggs will hatch into nymphs. The vegetation will provide a place for the young to live and hunt as they mature.
“There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it is thoroughly finished yields the true glory.” ~Francis Drake
Looking Out Over Cornfields
Our daily walk takes us by several cornfields, so from spring to autumn, we enjoy watching the daily activities and changes that take place from planting time until harvest and after. To commemorate corn harvest time and the Corn/Harvest Moon which occurs during that season, I wanted to share photos of cornfields, corn stalks and corn cobs that are part of our country road walks.
How mesmerizing to observe a swarm of dragonflies congregating over a cornfield. They were beautiful to watch, and hopefully helped out with the mosquito population.
“It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn.” ~B. C. Forbes
Among the Duckweed & Lily Pads
Some of the flora and fauna that add to the charm and allure of this beautiful lake.
“You can’t really say what is beautiful about a place, but the image of the place will remain vividly with you.” ~Tadao Ando
Dragonflies
Some of the beautiful dragonflies hanging around the lake.
Below are dragonfly nymphs on the underside of leaves near the water.
Curious dragonfly with
Wings of stained glass,
Oh, ancient bearer
Of secret dreams,
Your delicate beauty
Keeps wonder in my heart.
~Grace Edwards
Dragonfly Perches
Dragonflies use a variety of perches on which to land, and then utilize their large eyes to keep a lookout for both prey and predators. By choosing a good perch, they have the advantage of resting while being on the hunt. They are also able to use several techniques to regulate their body temperature from this resting position.
“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” ~Alan Cohen
Summer Scenery
Hiking on the boardwalk around the edge of Reelfoot Lake is a good way to see native plant and animal life, with each season offering up its own variety of treasures.
“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery … I thought ‘this is what it is to be happy.'” ~Sylvia Plath
Peaceful Afternoon
Taking advantage of the cooler fall temperatures and the delightful sunshine, we spent a peaceful afternoon on the lake at Reelfoot Wildlife Refuge. It was fun to hear the sounds of the crows and herons arguing, the screech of the eagles soaring overhead and the gentle sound of the wind blowing across the water.
“Be mindful of the peace and quiet. It is only when you keep silent that you allow the sounds of the forest to enter.” ~Unknown
walking on a country road 