[ˈpäləˌnādər] pollinator
something that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower
My foray into gardening this year didn’t mean just planting vegetables to feed us. I wanted the bees to have their own oasis. With ongoing reports about their decline, planting a package of seeds seemed a small thing to do. My garden is wildly unmanicured but for me, judging by the variety of bees it hosts, I’m calling it a success.
[ muh–mah ] mamma
type of cloud that often forms on the base of storm clouds, towards the back of a weakening storm system, formed in part by sinking air
One of my favorites of the cloud world! On this morning my husband called me after spotting them, knowing how much I love them. These ones were perfection! They lasted for perhaps five minutes before disappearing.
Don’t forget to look up! The sky is but one large canvas…
[tôrˈnādō] tornado
a mobile destructive vortex of violently rotating winds
Every decision we make matters. Every decision from the simplest one to the most complex makes a difference. Each stop we made, every shot I took on our drive home, led us to the top of a hill as a tornado began forming. I watched this EF1 tornado form three minutes after the initial tuba disappeared back up into the cloud. It lasted maybe seven minutes until it roped out and disappeared back into the cloud. It destroyed a barn that had existed for over a hundred years. No lives lost, two legged or four.
The destination is never the most important part of our trips. I love that. And as cars sped by us parked by the side of the road I smiled thinking we’d just seen nature put on a show, and I’d captured it from start to finish. Was it a once in a lifetime shot? I don’t know that yet. But I’m glad we took the time to enjoy the moment. Don’t be in a rush. Every moment matters.
[fôrˈto͞oədəs] fortuitous
happening by chance
Some days are just like that. I knew the day was going to be perfect when it began with pink fog. Chased a rainbow, and found it laying along one side of the mountain. Wildflowers, mountains, rainbow.
What could be more perfect?
it's (almost always) about the water... 