Many years ago while visiting Yosemite National Park I watched a ranger do a slide show presentation called the "The Small View." Instead of showing slides of the massive granite walls that surround the valley or the incredible waterfalls, he presented images of a dew drop on a blade of grass, an insect perched on a leaf, and the tiniest flower bud. Throughout the presentation he talked about how the breathtaking, sweeping views of Yosemite can distract us from the tiny moments of beauty right in front of us.
With that in mind, I went for a walk at my favorite park yesterday afternoon to take photos of the small view ... those little things I would normally miss because I'm usually scanning the treetops for owls (that I never see) or simply lost in thought and not fully present.
I think blogging has helped me to appreciate the small view, too. In our blogs we are constantly celebrating small joys like veggies grown at home, late-blooming flowers, and finding a vintage handkerchief on sale. It's easy to miss those things if you aren't paying attention.
There were lots of acorn caps on the ground yesterday. I wonder where all the acorns went?
Oh, I think I found them! The acorn woodpeckers were extremely busy drilling holes and filling them with acorns. At times there was so much pecking going on it sounded like an audience's applause.
But there are still plenty of empty holes to fill as they store up food for the winter.
I was fortunate to snap this photo just as two woodpeckers flew in to view.
This might be the last remnant of summer.
I couldn't resist one or two larger views as the sky clouded up. The peak in this photo is Mount Umunhum, which is an Ohlone Indian word for the resting place of the hummingbird.
Before I knew it, two hours had passed and I felt a drop of rain on my forehead. It was wonderful to spend the afternoon enjoying the small view, as well as the large one, too.
Wishing you a wonderful week.
There were lots of acorn caps on the ground yesterday. I wonder where all the acorns went?
Oh, I think I found them! The acorn woodpeckers were extremely busy drilling holes and filling them with acorns. At times there was so much pecking going on it sounded like an audience's applause.
But there are still plenty of empty holes to fill as they store up food for the winter.
I was fortunate to snap this photo just as two woodpeckers flew in to view.
This might be the last remnant of summer.
I couldn't resist one or two larger views as the sky clouded up. The peak in this photo is Mount Umunhum, which is an Ohlone Indian word for the resting place of the hummingbird.
Before I knew it, two hours had passed and I felt a drop of rain on my forehead. It was wonderful to spend the afternoon enjoying the small view, as well as the large one, too.
Wishing you a wonderful week.
12 comments:
Sometimes I scroll thru blogs and read them quickly... not this one. I took my time and enjoyed every last word. Great post and I believe that blogging has done that for me too, even the smallest thing is noticed and photographed to be blogged. Have a blessed day:)
Thanks for the reminder to take in the small view! That acorn tree is so interesting -- I didn't know woodpeckers did that -- I thought squirrels were the only ones interested in acorns -- and they bury them!
Great post! And yes, I agree about blogging and taking the time to look at what's around us instead of way ahead of us. I have my camera in the kitchen sometimes to photograph my supper. And I appreciate it even more in my blog the next day!
What a feast! Thank you.
I'm glad you shot upward toward the sky...loved Mount Umunhum...
2 hours,huh?
I was lucky last spring to have 3 longearred owls sitting in my pine tree for two weeks...about 20 ft. away from my window...I love them..owls
Oh Stacy you have done it again. Another thought provoking post on you wonderful blog. I absolutely love the close-up shots. I miss my camera so much. Both my vacumn and camera are in repair shops. The vacumn is not missed but my camera~oh, yes, I really miss it.
Have a nice day.
I am madly working on my "All About Me" project.
OH,I forgot to ask what kind of woodpeckers are those..Pileated?
and if you ever visit me again check my old posting "look what picture I found" ..it's of the owls
I also have heard a barrred owl at our place in Galena...very spooky...like the dead calling in the night
Oh this is wonderful, Stacy. I never would have looked at things this way. I'm always in such a rush that I only just manage to even take in the big picture. Next time I go for a walk (hopefully tomorrow after work to clear the cobwebs from my head), I will take along my camera and see what small wonders I can find.
I love the photo's of the woodpeckers, that is amazing, all those holes they've made, we never see anything like that here.
I agree with you about blogging making us appreciate the smaller things in life, it most certainly does. xxxx
Awesome photos Stacy!!!
I mailed out the ATC card yesterday and hope you get it by the weekend.
I think you should frame some of the photos.
Warmly,
Deb :)
Those acorn woodpeckers are cool! I've never seen a tree like that!
The acorn woodpeckers are FASCINATING! I have never heard of such a thing. I have to say though, can't be a very fun job to drill holes and then fill them Thank you so much for sharing this, I shared this post with my girls.
We must be on the same wavelength, we found a tiny wooly bear caterpillar yesterday and I thought a post on small things would be fun.
lisa
Amazing photos Stacy. My favourite one is the acorns.
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