I’ve now had the privilege of seeing the Greenbelt property we are restoring in parts of all four seasons. These photos are a tiny glimpse of the beauty I’ve seen there.
September
October
February
March
April
Tag: weeklyphotochallenge
Weekly Photo Challenge: Dense
Ivy is killing many of the trees in Seattle’s Greenbelt. On the four lots that our GreenFriends group has been working to restore, there is one tree that is so covered with ivy that you can’t see any other part of it.
One day in April, city workers came to cut down blackberry vines on the lots. They also dealt with the ivy on this tree.
That is done by cutting the ivy at shoulder height and at the bottom of the tree. This is called a survival ring. The ivy on the rest of the tree is left to die off since pulling it down would be near impossible and could be dangerous.
The ivy had formed a hard, dense cover around the tree. The workers were able to pull off a section of it. (Click on the galleries to see a bigger view of the photos.)
The “crust” was so dense and had many components.
I look forward to looking at this section of ivy under my microscope.
Shades of Green
I could fill post after post with shades of green, but decided to limit my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge to three of my favorite photos.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Atop
Several years ago, my brother sent me copies of some of my father’s photos. I decided to look through those for examples of “Atop.” I found some good ones!
Viewing the Seagull Viewing
Last Thursday, as I was coming out of my doctor’s office, I could tell that someone was calling me on the phone, even though the ringer was off. I decided to stand near a window to take the call. When I looked out the window, I saw a seagull standing on the ledge in front of me. The bird appeared to be looking at the building across the street.
I was on the phone for a while. During that time, the seagull stood completely still. When I finished the call, I decided to photograph it. Within moments, the bird began to move. At times I felt like it was posing for me!
This was my favorite photo of them all.
I am aware that if I hadn’t taken the call, I would never have seen the seagull and would have missed out on this wonderful, unexpected, experience.
Weekly Photo Challenge: The Road Taken
Shared with Senior Salon
Weekly Photo Challenge: A Good Match
Every time I thought about “A Good Match,” my mind went back to a 2013 photo. I felt a sense of fascination when I first saw this tromboncino squash…. and I am still fascinated by it. To me it is the epitome of a good match.
Tromboncino squash are considered summer squash and are used in the same way as zucchini.
What I find most interesting about this form of squash, though, is that if you allow it to continue to grow, it will turn into a winter squash. In that process, it changes color and the skin becomes hard. The inside becomes sweet and reminds me of acorn squash. I really love eating it at that point.
I also love how big the squash grows. This one was five feet long!
(I took the photo above by taking a picture of myself in a mirror. My arms weren’t long enough to take it facing me. Besides, in 2013, I probably didn’t even know what a selfie was!)
The Will to Live
I used to have repetitive dreams of being in a house that had a lot of secret rooms. When I walked down one hallway, I would inevitably discover a new hallway that led to rooms I hadn’t seen before. The house went on and on and provided me with a never ending adventure.
That is what it has been like for me to work in the Greenbelt. I enter one area after another that is covered by blackberry vines, ivy and bamboo. I never know what I will find on the other side of them.
One day my adventure started here.
As I cleared a path, I saw many downed trees.
Soon, I came across this tree. It looked as if a maple tree that had fallen had birthed a new tree.
I discovered that another part of the tree had traveled north and it too had become a maple tree.
Other parts of the tree had traveled to the west and to the south. There was a new tree at the end of the western portion. I haven’t reached the end of the southern part yet so I don’t know what I will find there.
It is mind-boggling to me that a tree which has been so beaten down by the environment has such a strong will to live, and due to that will has accomplished what seems impossible. I look forward to the day when all of the invasive plants have been removed and the trees can reach for the sky without being hindered.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Against The Odds
Shared with Senior Salon
Weekly Photo Challenge: Shadow
I was just lounging on the carpet in my living room. When I glanced towards the dining room, I saw that shadows had formed a beautiful design on the ceiling.
Repurposing Plastic Waste
I have been interested in crafting for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite projects was working with a group of Embracing the World volunteers to create beautiful bags and baskets by crocheting and weaving discarded grocery bags, strapping, newspaper wrappers, snack bags and other forms of waste.
Below are photos of some of the items I made during that time in my life. If you click on the gallery you will be able to see what each article was made from.
Made from snack bags.
Made from grocery bags
Made from grocery bags
Made from grocery bags
Made from shopping bags, rice bag
Made from coffee and chip bags, strap and newspaper wrapper
Here is a more detailed listing for one of the items.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Repurpose
Weekly Photo Challenge: Graceful 2
The relationship between cattle and cattle egrets seems graceful to me. The photo below portrays a common scene in India. This year, I learned that cattle trust the egrets so much that they will even allow the birds to remove flies and other insects that are located near their eyes.
.
Living, Learning and Letting Go 