CALM BEFORE THE
STORM...
It doesn't get much more beautiful
than this.......here are students from the Waldorf schools sitting
on the rocks of Joe's Head writing poetry. The visibility was
perfect as you look out to Gooseberry, Wood and Mark Islands.
Fishing boats cruised out to sea, even kayakers were enjoying
the calm waters. The Seaside Goldenrod and Purple Asters lured
migrating Monarch butterflies to stop for a taste of their nectar
before taking off over the bay. These students sat for about 45
mi
nutes gaining inspiration
from the sounds of water washing against rocks, birds calling
and butterflies flying......all against the steadfastness of these
giant boulders. The puffy clouds added to the beauty, and some
of the poems were quite moving.
Seaside Goldenrod takes rooting
in the cracks of rocks and gives a splash of bright yellow these
days. We are beginning to see signs of seasonal changes. The mosquitoes
are still a presence to be contended with however.
A new batch of Waldorf students
arrive today and it looks like it will be in the rain. One of
the highlights of last week's exploring was finding several Sea
Slugs. These are small, inch-long creatures that move like a slug
on an expanded foot. Their backs are covered with gills of a contrasting
color. They are found at this time of year feeding on those pink
hydroids that grow on the floating docks. I've also found them
in shades of brown in the spring of the year. Why we don't find
them during the summer is a mystery. Maybe you have the answer.
I do see where they have laid eggs now.....small white coils of
eggs can be found on the hydroids. Here is one of these sea slugs,
also called Nudibranchs.
It is
cruising in a petri dish!
The wind picked up this week,
remnants of Ike. The scene on Joe's Head was dramatically different
with crashing waves. The gusts were up to 45 miles per hour in
some instances. Luckily, it didn't last long or produce much rain
for the new batch of Waldorfs. As they headed out to paint the
scenery, I wondered if their pallets would be paint-able! Consider
the Monarchs that surely were being blown inland from the wind,
and those delicate Sea Slugs clinging to hydroids......it's a
tough world out there.
9/16/08 Ronnie holding tight.....