I sit on the shore.
A chorus line of mist moves center stage,
meeting the main character, morning sun.
I feel the tiniest drops of rain,
hardly noticed by my bare legs and
not even seen on these still waters.
And now they are gone.
Are they?
No, still here but even smaller.
Now, they are gone.

A stand of hemlocks shade the incoming morning sun.

During certain times of the day - usually early morning and later in the afternoon - the rays of the low-hung, yet strong sun will cast deep shadows from solid objects like trees but will brightly fill things softer and more transparent. Sometimes referred to as backlighting, you need to be facing the sun to really see this picture show. There are long shadows from the dense forms of life and their own appearances as mysterious silhouettes in the midst of light-filled plants and leaves. A golden, highlighted weed or blade of grass will standout in the backdrop of these black silhouettes and shadows.

This intense type of backlighting only lasts for a few moments. It's as if nature says, "Look at me! Now, quickly!"

When I glimpse it, what I see is about what I feel.

mornings, Main Lake, Quadra Island

Reflections from Main Lake, Quadra Island

Goldstream Park

broad leaf maple

just inside Banf, name?

sun thru' gary oaks, top of lone tree hill

Woods by Wendell Berry

I part the out thrusting branches
and come in beneath
the blessed and the blessing trees.
Though I am silent
there is singing around me.
Though I am dark
there is vision around me.
Though I am heavy
there is flight around me.

blackberry

It was morning, or
so said my body, awakened
by soft glow full moon.
Rising to an open window,
damp, cool of night cleared
sleep's dry blanket
covering my eyes.
And the moon,
suspended from a royal fir,
every needle formally dressed.
Laying my body down,
I rested to this dream.

Gulf Islands

Portland Island

thimble berry leaves

Wilderness is not my god
but God is my wilderness.
All things naturally wild
are the needle of a compass.
And God stands magnetic north.

Though often seen,
I heard something new.
Exposed to sun, arbutus bark cracks, peels
and slowly, slowly young green flesh is exposed.
The sun rose and cast her rays.
Like the sound of gentle fire,
outer skins of this stand
dried and shed.
And the aging of time
reveals sapling beauty.