Fir Crying Out Loud!

Today was a work in the woods day. I chose to tackle a huge fir tree. I think it was more like it tackled me. The thing must have been fifty feet long and had  branches the size of small trees.

The uneven ground didn't do my sprained ankle any good that's a for sure. Hard to believe it's been over two weeks since I took the spill. I was hoping to be back to normal by now. It doesn't appear meant to be. The picture below is me getting frustrated and taking a break. Of course, my person is absent because I have to take the picture. Probably just as well.

I got the beast of a tree limbed up and chopped up until there was about fifteen, sixteen feet left. Then I gave up! Man not even one tree to my credit today. Crikey!

I'm going to have to come back and finish this bad boy off next work day. What a disappointment not to even get on tree finished.

Course then there's my helper who mostly naps in the shade whilst I toil away. I can't even get the turkey to take pictures for me!

But, in all my stumbling around I did stumble onto some very cool natural designs. Below is a photo of an insect or worm that worked on this old fir leaving behind an incredible artwork in it's wake. What you see are actually the tubes that the worms work around in.

This next photo the tubes have been knocked off leaving intriguing tunnel designs. This one looks to me like some science fiction creature with many arms and legs. Human artists would have a hard time making this stuff up!

The last beauty that I discovered was some kind of fungus growing on an old  moss covered stump. Looks like a big old clam shell or maybe some forest troll poking it's head out of it's mossy home with a smile on it's face?

It's hard to believe I have lived, worked and explored this land for eight years and still I discover things I've never seen before.

Awesomely, beautiful day today. Spring has sprung and the grass is turning green. It's great working in the woods even if I don't get much work done!


©Kinsey Barnard Photography

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The Beauty in Pot Holes

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Last post I wrote about Nature: The Ultimate Designer. Today I try and make my point with pot holes. Generally, pot holes don't bring to mind anything very positive. Visions of flat tires and wrecked suspension would be more likely. But, wait, Mother Nature can work Her magic even on a pot hole.

Saturday morning Koty and I were out early wandering down a dirt road in the Kootenai National Forest in Montana. It's still getting down below freezing here at night so everything is frozen by morning. As I walked along I glanced down at my feet and noticed these pot holes that had had standing water but were now frozen. The patterns and designs were just gorgeous. I've never gotten so excited over a pot hole! Below are four images I took which I hope will demonstrate once again that there is truly beauty everywhere if we just pay attention.


Pot Hole-3 by Kinsey Barnard


Pot Hole-1 by Kinsey Barnard


Pot Hole-2 by Kinsey Barnard


Pot Hole-4 by Kinsey Barnard

If you have time I'd appreciate knowing which of these designs you like best. Personally, I like Pot Hole-3. Which is your favorite? The pot hole number is under each image but you'll have to look hard to see it.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Nature: The Ultimate Designer

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There isn't much about nature that doesn't fascinate me. To say photographing some aspect of it is my favorite is an oxymoron. But, nevertheless, photographing patterns and designs in nature is one of my favorite subjects. So, today I thought I would share some of my favorite natural designs.

First up is sandy beach that I photographed on the shores of Lake Koocanusa. At this time of year the lake has been drained low and sandy beaches have been exposed. The wind blows a gale down in this veritable hole leaving delicate designs such as those below in it's wake. No, the sand isn't really blue, I used a blue filter to make it so. Just whimsy on my part.


Blue Sand by Kinsey Barnard

This next photo is of driftwood sitting on Florence Beach in Oregon. If this were a painting, which it nearly looks like, people would be talking about the graceful flow of the brushstrokes. Yet no human hand made this design. It was years and years of wind, rain and surf. There was no intentional effort expended to create this work of art. It simply exists and allows itself to be molded and recreated by the passing of time. What could be more beautiful? A purple filter was used here.


Driftwood by Kinsey Barnard

Below is one of my favorite favorites. It is nothing more than Ponderosa bark but looks like a woodcarving from a master carver. Fortunately, the lighting was just right to show off the exquisite color and texture of the bark. I can imagine a human wood worker spending hour upon hour trying to create something as lovely and interesting as this yet Nature does it effortlessly without intention.


Ponderosa Bark-4 by Kinsey Barnard

And then there are the incredible designs Nature imprints on living things. I'm not certain what kind of shell this is but one thing I know for sure is you don't want to accidentally leave it in your car when you cross the border into Canada because US Customs will try and confiscate it when you return! I live near the border with British Columbia and travel into Canada regularly. One day not long ago I forgot I had the shell with me and Customs had a fit when I tried to enter with it even though I had left with it. The shell belonged to my mother and has been in the family oh maybe thirty years.

But, I digress. Just look at the intricate design this shell exhibits. If a human artist had created it people would be all a twitter (pardon the pun). Yet, Nature's artistry is all around us all the time and mostly goes unnoticed. Gads we humans are arrogant and dim. If anyone knows what kind of shell this is I would appreciate a heads up.


Sea Shell by Kinsey Barnard

As you can see from the above illustrations Nature really is the ultimate designer. And, as they say, you just can't make this stuff up although we humans continuously try. Next time you are out in nature make a point of paying attention to what surrounds you. I think you will be amazed.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography