Leaf…Suspended

Posted on by Tim McMurdo

Suspended Leaf 2

Suspended Leaf 1

Suspended Leaf 3

Yesterday, Jim and I went for a nice cool hike in Clifton Gorge. It’s the only spot in this area where you can feel as though you are trekking through the mountains. Of course, the allusion is due to hiking down into the gorge.

We walked along the river, skirting boulders and a fair bit of mud when we came across a leaf, floating on the breeze. It seemed to be suspended. As though it was hovering in mid air. We both took our time and shot frame after frame of the patient leaf. I think we could have continued to shoot for hours, such was the nature of the floating leaf.

Of course, being suspended on a gossamer thread might have had a lot to do with the entire set up. Still, you have to take the opportunity when it presents itself.

Have a great week, folks. I will leave your with a shot of Jim shooting the leaf.

Jim and Leaf

a walk in the spring woods

Posted on by Tim McMurdo
 
Virginia Bluebell
Virginia Bluebell
 
Dutchman's Breeches
Dutchman's Breeches
 
 
 
In yesterday's post, I mentioned that Thursday included a long hike in Clifton Gorge. The gorge was carved out by the Little Miami river, whose banks are heavily wooded. This time of year, the leaves on the trees and bushes have barely begun to emerge, leaving the spring flowers exposed for the eye to see.
 
The Trillium (both white and red) is just beginning to bloom along with the Virginia Bluebell. It won't be long before the woods are carpeted with white and blue. For two weeks or so, the gorge will be full of color.
 
One of my favorites is Dutchman's Breeches, a plant that lives on the side of the limestone boulders and displays small drop like white flowers that have the shape of….well, they are shaped like a Dutchman's breeches.
 
There are many thousands of species of flowering wild flowers and plants in the gorge. I can identify many of them. However, I've included two of my favorites in hopes that you can identify them. You can view them in the last two photos. The small bamboo like plant grows to about 18 inches tall and grows under the trees near the river banks.
 
I hope all of you have a great day. I'll bring more photos of the gorge's wild flowers the next time that I visit.