All of these pictures were taken last weekend near a remote lake in the Green Mountains of Vermont. It was very quiet. We went out on the lake in kayaks, and a loon surfaced about 20 feet from the boat; we hiked in an old-growth forest between white birch trees and huge glacial erratics overgrown with moss and ferns, along a hidden brook flowing on smoothed granite sleek enough to slide down. There were boulders big enough to hide a bear, and tiny homes of small creatures, complete with miniature pine trees, lichen-spores, and mossy lawns, and I moved between the two worlds of my own crushing largeness, and my smallness, dwarfed by the mountains and their vast green blankets of trees.
It's so peaceful in the Fairy's world.
Posted by: Ellena | August 22, 2014 at 08:59 AM
Oh, that looks lovely. It's been a long time since I've hiked, particularly anywhere remote. But you're so right - from the ultra tiny to the immense all around you. I can smell the mossy greenery in your photos.
Posted by: Leslee | August 22, 2014 at 09:15 AM
Nice macro shots! Fungi and lichens are among my favorite subjects.
Posted by: Larry Ayers | August 22, 2014 at 09:33 AM
You are quite right, Ellena! When I was a child, I lived in those fairy worlds quite a lot...maybe you did too?
It really was a beautiful place, Leslee, and reminded me that I need to get out of the city more often.
Thanks a lot, Larry! I don't do as much macro photography as I'd like, now that I live in the city -- but of course there are worlds right under my feet here, too.
Posted by: Beth | August 22, 2014 at 10:09 AM
Beautiful. Reminds me of a book I love, "Reading the Mountains of Home" by John Elder. Maybe you know it.
Posted by: Andrea M. | August 22, 2014 at 02:50 PM
Kia Ora Beth,
Beautiful. The lichens, mosses, ferns, and the world they create have taught me that to walk slowly and quietly in the forest is best. Have a wonderful weekend.
Robb
Posted by: Robb | August 23, 2014 at 05:54 PM
It looks enchanting.
Posted by: hattie | August 25, 2014 at 12:51 PM
Hi Andrea -- I don't know that book by John Elder -- I'll look it up, and thanks for the recommendation. Right now I'm reading "View from Lazy Point" by Carl Safina, which is about the shore of Long Island, and it's reminding me how much I enjoy reading nature writing.
Robb, yes, the little things teach us to be quieter and less the large galumphing mammals we tend to be! I hope things are going well for you and that you've been able to do some hiking - is it cold there right now?
Hattie: I've always believed in the enchanted quality of these hidden places beneath trees and rocks. They invite us in for tea...
Posted by: Beth | August 26, 2014 at 10:18 AM