Sabatia Angularis

Otherwise known as Rosepink. I don't really think that that name needs any explanation. I mean, just look at it. You know, I've been asked more than once how I manage to get the pictures that I do (and yes, I do take that question as a compliment!). Really to me it seems easy.When I'm walking through the woods I don't necessarily look for subjects - I let them look for me. And when they do find me some will let me know by the slightest of movement that might catch a ray of sunlight. Some subjects may embrace a wind that momentarily bends and molds it into something that it might not ever be again. And some subjects like this Rosepink make it very easy just by being there. A flash of color! All of these things catch my eye and make me look at them.
So the next time you're in the woods just let the woods speak to you. It will introduce itself to you and when it does , you'll definitely be glad you met...

But On The Other Hand...

As I posted below sometimes after sitting and becoming immersed in my surroundings the colors all seem to fade. I can't say what the difference might be but on some occasions the complete opposite happens and the colors just seem to get brighter and brighter!
These leaves, for example, were from some unknown ground cover that I've waded through on countless hikes never really paying much attention to it. On this day, however, I happened to notice it . The more I looked at it, the green just seemed to get greener and greener. The sunlight shining off of the leaves made the furrows of each leaf deeper and deeper. But the most interesting part I think, was the blackness underneath it all - that unknown region of life that lived there.
For those that can let your mind wander once in a while, the woods and I guess the just the outdoors in general is a great place for travel without ever leaving your seat!

The Shadows...

Sometimes when I'm out in the woods I become engrossed in the feel of the woods. When I'm fortunate enough to find a good resting spot I'll plop myself down and and just slowly take it all in. Eventually the colors all seem to fade and the shadows and their movements take over. What was once a colorful scene has become a kaleidoscope of darkness and light bouncing off of one another, constantly changing and morphing from shape to another until it seems that I'm no longer in the same place that I found so tempting...

The Barn in the Woods

It was a fairly odd sight. Smack dab in the middle of the woods with no roads or paths for any 4 wheeled type of transportation there it sat. The infamous "barn in the woods". Now,
I'll try to make this story as short as possible. After taking several shots from as many angles I decided to head back to the car. I do realize that I'm an adult but it was a little spooky- in a Blair Witch sort of way. I knew where I was so I took the quicker trail back as it was getting late. Wanting to get one last look at the woods though, I peeled off of the trail for a quick look around. It should have only taken 15 or 20 minutes. Forty five minutes later I'm actually starting to think that I may have to cut right through the brush and head for the sounds of the highway. Funny thing is those sounds were starting to fade and my imagination was starting to grow. I made up this story in my head about the "pull" of the barn and how people went in but didn't come out! Just as I was starting to laugh at myself, out of the corner of my eye there it was - the barn! I'm sure I jerked a major case of whiplash in my neck when I saw it too. Somehow, I'd managed to stumble across that barn a second time, something I'd been unable to do even once in several previous hikes. Once again, I knew where I was and where I needed to go. This time the 15 or 20 minute hike took no more than 5 minutes. No side excursions this time. Well I'm sorry this post got so wordy but I thought that it was a funny story and I don't mind laughing at myself once in a while. I haven't been back to the barn in the woods -at least, not yet. Maybe some bright sunny day...

Beauty and the Beast

I spotted this Ox-Eye Daisy in the shadows of the Sac River trail.

Compton Hollow

I've just recently found a new hiking spot! It's a Department of Conservation area in southwest Missouri and has a really wide variety of terrain. I'm pretty sure that there's some magic in these woods...

The Dance

Sac River Woods

This is one of many areas I like to hike in. These were taken last fall while there was still a little green left. For those who don't already know it, there definately something spiritual about being in the woods alone - especially in the early morning.