After a rainy spring

 A lot of rain and a lot of weeding.  And then magic.  I think I'll just let the garden take it from here.

Chasing Enchantment

Chasing Enchantment

Two trips to Grand Marais this summer. And two hikes exploring the forest floor.  I am always delighted by the quiet, miniature world just waiting for someone to stop and admire it.

I really do wonder what this is.  High up on the side of a birch tree.

A birch with a curl.

And of course the lichen.  I just love lichen.

These reminded me of clouds or waves, something pleasant.

And then something not so pleasant.  Looking at a rotting tree trunk but thinking barfing frog.

A home for some small creature?  Either actual or mythical.  

And a scene fit for any self-respecting hobbit.

Dancing mushrooms?  Whatever they are, they look like they are enjoying themselves.

A case of safety in numbers.  Or one guy with a good idea and them a bunch of hangers on. 

Mushrooms and lichen and moss.  Triple whammy of enchantment.

It takes of village.... of little magical creatures to inhabit this mossy hillside.

Curious how we see faces in the weirdest places.  Eye, nose, mouth and a little attitude, if I can be quite honest.

Drapery of wood and fungus.  

I call this one Snail King.  Maybe a stretch, but photographer's privilege.

Can you imagine an ogre turned to tree roots?  Clawing his way out of the earth.  Best to move along quickly.

While focusing on this stump, I saw the red squirrel posing on top for me.  Thanks, little buddy.

Another stump?  Or an enchanted castle that's seen better days.

Getting along.

In a snit.

Coral in the forest.  Who knew?

Taking a moment to enjoy the bigger scene.

And then right back to the minuscule.  

Everybody lean!

It's incredible. A little world on the stump of a tree.

And then I emerge from the woods, leaving a little bit of my heart among the lichen and moss and mushrooms.  Until next year.  

To the waters and the wild

Where dips the rocky highland
Of Sleuth Wood in the lake,
There lies a leafy island
Where flapping herons wake
The drowsy water rats;
There we’ve hid our faery vats,
Full of berrys
And of reddest stolen cherries.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.
                                                                   from The Stolen Child, by W.B. Yeats




Searching for magical beings along the shore of enchanted Lake Superior, also known as Gitche Gumee.  Off to a wonderful start when I spied this beastie emerging from the water.







After searching around the lake for a while, I headed inland.

As I walked through the forest, I had the feeling that whatever was out there was just out of sight, one step ahead.  I checked every likely-looking hiding place.
















Not much of a hiding place, but I love circles.  So, yes, the photo must be included.






This guy was too big to make much of an escape.

Doesn't look happy. 

I will just quietly back away.  





I was surprised to see mushrooms this time of year.  





Sweet little one.









Just loved this one, even though somebody already made a meal from part of it.



Another circle.  This one with a heart.  



It always amazes me that the top of a tree stump can become a world of its own.



And then I find this.  Kind of a drama queen of a dead tree.





Did these guys get together and decide to make a statement?  Shows you what happens when we cooperate.



Now, I must admit, I didn't notice him at the time.  Too well hidden.  But when I was adding a bit of contrast to this photo, his image emerged from the dark.  I see you now.  A tad too late.



To the waters and the wild.  And home before it's dark.