I might not have gone to Hidden Lake Gardens today had I not signed up for the Pruning class given by Karen Gentry, the Education Program Coordinator. It was a good class. I learned a lot. I feel that if you have a large yard or a wooded lot like I do, then it’s a good idea to learn a little bit about how to take care of it. After the class I took a short stroll through the Conservatory to check out the Orchids which smell great. I had the wrong lense on my camera so the photos didnt turn out so well. So I took a quick stroll through the Conifer Collection. It was very overcast today and lighting was poor. But the subtle colors of fall were all around. One of my favorite subjects to photograph are pine needles. Another favorite subject of mine are leaves. When they are together it’s a bonus. I stayed longer than any sane person might stay. I felt a little weird huddling under the canopy of pine trees to escape the snow and rain but I did anyway. It felt a lot like childhood. I spent many days under the canopy of trees growing up along Beaver Creek outside of Adrian. Unfortunately those trees have been excavated and plowed under by the infamous Baker boys. Where is Heyduke when you need him? There are a couple of bulldozers waiting for you along Beaver Creek. I’m no Heyduke. I’m writing my charity checks to The Nature Conservancy Organization this year.
I want to save this….
“Night Heron”, Linocut, 7×8
I just returned from a trip up north for a little Fall fly fishing. The weather was unseasonably warm, which was fine with me, but it did have some drawbacks. First it put off the Blue Winged Olive hatch. Second I took my cold weather sleeping bag which was a little too warm for 60 degree nights….but, I survived. My brother from Ludington showed up Saturday night. We’ve been trying to get together for a fly fishing trip for long time. He has never been fly fishing. I was supposed to give him a few lessons. But, as my luck goes, I brought three fly rods and only one reel. After exploring the North Branch for awhile we made our way back to the main stream where there was more room to cast. I gave him a quick lesson, but he wasnt up for it. I am always hesitant to teach fly casting for a few reasons. Most of all, there’s a lot to learn and if you’re not serious I’m not wasting my time. After a few half hearted attempts at casting I took my rod back and quoted Norman Maclean, “nobody who did not know how to fish would be allowed to disgrace a fish by catching it.” And, so that was the end of his lesson. I seem to be the complete opposite of all my brothers and perhaps that’s why I chose the sport of fly fishing. They have always been more athletic than I. They were blessed with quickness, and power…but lack any sort of grace. My brother casted my rod as though it was a tennis racket. I gave him some yoda advice….”you must unlearn everything you have learned”, but that didnt help either. It was tennis casting or nothing. As much trouble as he was I missed him when he left Sunday morning. I stayed one more day which meant spending a night alone along the river. It was peaceful as you might expect. I made a nice fire, watched a Grouse walk through my campsite, and listened to the Coyotes in the distance. I made mental notes of how the full moon made silhouettes out of the trees, how the birch leaves stood out among the Pines, and the bright spawning colors of the Brook Trout seen that day. I tried not to think of all the work I have to do at home. Instead I picked up a fly fishing magazine and read it by the firelight. Interestingly enough there was an article about Slough Creek in Yellowstone….a place I have been a few times. The writer described the spookiness of the Cutthroat Trout and how he couldnt find the right fly to work. I had that same problem but found a simple solution. I wanted to shout out to him….hey dummy….dont fish to the fish you can see, fish to the fish you cant see. It worked every time for me. I guess fishing writers dont always have all the answers. I would say what fly he should use too but that’s my little secret =) And, fly fishing is all about secrets in some circles. Everybody has a secret spot or a fly that really works. There’s nothing wrong with keeping that to yourself. And, it feels good to share a secret with a close friend. Fishing has always been about the fishing and the friends you meet while fishing. To my brother….slow down, take a deep breath, relax and we’ll get you casting a rod some day.
Last weekend the family met at the Carpenter Farm on US 223 to pick out a few pumpkins. Matt and Kelly Carpenter do a great job providing folks with a great taste of farm life. I spent my time taking photos of their ponies, goats, chickens, corn and pumpkins. I like this photo not so much for the corn but the deep red barn door. Somebody told me that most barns are red because blood was used as a paint dye before latex was invented. I cant help but think of the all the things this photo symbolizes…..Blood, Crucifixion, life, death, etc. The most obvious symbol is that of Fall. The birds have stopped their singing….no need for song when breeding season is over. But, Fall sings. Fall sings not a mellow tune but a loud rock and roll scream of colors. Of the 200 photos I took this week this bold red photo is my favorite.
The Heron 