"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Thursday, June 28, 2012

In Appreciation


Yesterday a very strong wind blew ALL day; only dying down around 7 or 8 last night. It was crazy!  Late afternoon I happened to notice this spider's web clear across the yard, wildly flapping back and forth. When I got up close, I realized just how huge it was: close to twice the size of a large dinner plate.

I had to marvel at it's beauty & strength - I only wish I'd spotted it before a full day of gale force winds had tossed it about.


Nature is incredible when you take a moment to fully appreciate it in all it's intricacy. My nine-bark blossomed yesterday - it looks like it's covered in miniature snowballs :) The teeny-tiny flowers are amazing - there's a star in the middle of each one.


Admire the design in this strawberry. I have been taking a picture of it every day as it grows and ripens. It looks like it's covered in tiny grapes! I am truly awed by nature's perfection.

35 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photographs. You'd love my back garden - it is sometimes covered in huge cobwebs. I think spiders use my little patch as their holiday resort. It is amazing what you can see up close when you take the time to really stop and look. I wouldn't have even known that was a strawberry!

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    1. Some years there seem to be a lot more spiders than others - last year was relatively spider-free here. I've noticed that just about everything living is very 'furry' up close, even the tiniest flower is covered in a fine fuzz.

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  2. Your spiders do a different web design to the ones in our garden! They are incredible. I watched one spinning a web on the window a few days ago, and it is fascinating.

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  3. Pajęczyna wygląda jak bardzo delikatna serwetka robiona na szydełku. Bardzo ładne wszystkie zdjęcia. Pozdrawiam.
    Gossamer looks like very fine crochet doily made​​. Very nice all the photos. Yours

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    1. Now that you mention it, it does indeed look like a crochet doily!

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  4. Replies
    1. It was probably the largest (pretty much) intact web I've ever seen.

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    1. I am pretty pleased with my little Sony Cybershot - it's not what I'd call a 'real' camera, but it does the trick.

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  6. Spectacular, Jane. I'm glad you didn't feel compelled to take any pictures of Australian spider s and their webs! Or did you??? I've heard they are big and scary or small and deadly. Anyway your beautiful Canadian web was just enough for me, thanks! :)

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    1. I may have a surprise for you one of these next few posts...! I also prefer our Canadian spiders, but with all the climate change going on, we may end up with some scary ones here as well.

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  7. Spiders... blech. I hates them. I have even forgone trying to kill them in the house if I have any chance of missing them. Somewhere in the craziness of my mind I have the feeling that if I miss, it will hunt me down and bite me.

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    1. Lol, good one :) I understand your way of thinking, with all those eyes they do seem capable of plotting a retaliation!!

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  8. Luv the strawberry pic!! That is amazing... Yuk on the spiders, not that the picture isn't fun, just yukky spiders..ewwww!

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    1. I totally agree - I had one eye in the viewfinder and the other was keeping a watch out for the web's owner...!

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  9. Beautiful pictures. I have to say I am in love with spiders. When I lived in Sedona, I had 3 black widows make webs on my porch and I had to figure out exactly where I could move them, because, you know, black widows. Still, they were beautiful.

    What kind of camera do you use? (You have the eye, so I know it's not all camera, but I have major macro problems so I'm wondering.)

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    1. You much have nerves of steel - spiders creep me out, even though I am awed by them - black widows would horrify me. I'm certain they were beautiful, nonetheless.

      Believe it or not, I just use a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5! It's a pretty simple camera, only 10.2 mega pixels - and like I told Debra, not what I'd consider a 'real' camera - but I am tenacious and will take the shot as many times as I need to, to get what I'm after. I really believe the trick is recognizing good lighting and angle.

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  10. Beautiful photos, Jane! You are a photographer. Did you mention at some point that you took classes/courses/something? I remember something like that. Anyway, that spider web is incredible. How tiny little creatures can create something so spectacular is beyond me. And that nine=bark blossom is lovely. When you get up close to flowers, you are awed by the detail. A true work of art. Yum yum...strawberries! I have some growing in the back, but wonder if I'll ever get the chance to eat any since the squirrels and chipmunks love them just as much, too!

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    1. Thank you Martha - I take that as a real compliment coming from you :) I took lessons 20 years ago now... yikes! The class was using black & white film and we developed our own pics. I think I'd really benefit from more instruction, but that would mean I'd need to get a much better camera and learn to use it, lol!

      I've caught a pair of tiny brown birds (not sure what they are, but they are very pretty and have a comb of hair that stands up on their head, like Elvis haha - perhaps you know what bird I'm referring to?) in my strawberries quite a few times now. I can't see any damage so far, but they're attracted to them for some reason... perhaps they're monitoring for ripeness - I hope not!

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  11. Stunning photos. Your close-up lens is amazing...and so is the ey behind it : ) Glad I visited you blog...I will return!

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    1. Thanks Lynn, I hope you do :) I really appreciate your kind comments and for becoming my newest follower!

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  12. And your doggie is very cute!

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  13. As always your photos are incredible!! The detail is exquisite!!

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    1. Thanks Dianne - this is why I love blogging - I need to share these jewels :0

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  14. Amazing how spiders can create something so beautiful and perfect with a substance coming from their own bodies.

    Your nine-bark is beautiful, something I should consider getting for my flower garden. The bloom is like a mini bouquet.

    We take so much that is around us for granted, many times we don't see how wonderful the workmanship really is. Each of those little grape like nodes would be come a small seed.

    Good photography, great to share with us your keen eye for small detail.

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    1. Thanks Lorene :) Spiders are incredible - no matter how much they creep me out! I love my nine-bark and I think you'd enjoy the deep purple foliage - it's a nice contrast bush. Unfortunately, we all tend to take the beauty around us for granted - it's good to slow down and really observe it with fresh eyes once in a while.

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  15. Great pics as always Jane! Not that I think you need any instruction, I visit a site which is completely free but full of good advice. Great search facility too. http://digital-photography-school.com/

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    1. Thanks Annie, I checked it out and will definitely return for other visits. We can always stand to learn more tips and tricks :)

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  16. Such incredible nature shots...the spider web looks like a 'work of art'...amazing, absolutely, amazing! Thanks for sharing!

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