A Brush with Nature

"Hey Wendy, do you want a snake?"

I pop my head up from looking for insects, and hurry over to where the young maintenance kid is keeping an eye on something.

I didn't want a snake. But I wanted to see it.

A tiny baby Terrestrial or Wandering Gartersnake. It had my affection and desire for protection instantly. And, it seems, that of a small little girl, maybe 4 years old, totally clad in pink. First she just watched in awe as it moved around, and eventually tried to find protection up on my boot.

I gently picked it up and held it so this little girl could get a good look. She eventually wanted to touch it, and then hold it. That prompted the interest of another little, pink-clad girl. She too wanted to touch and hold it.

I was impressed. Pink-clad girls and snakes? But there they were. Loving, admiring, wanting to touch and hold this little thing.

Finally, the first little girl gently took the snake, and carefully placed it in the protective covering of some thick bushes. We all went our separate ways, having touched nature in tender and touching ways. I know I left feeling just a little more complete and whole.

Wish I'd had my camera.

Park Visitors

Okay, forget the Photo A Day thing for a while. I'll still do my best, but it isn't working out quite the way I'd hoped. So I'll just post what and when I get that inspiration.

And today I found a little inspiration without putting a whole lot of effort into it. People are funny.

This is a view from the backside of the Visitor Center.

Isn't it lovely? There is a reason for showing you this...can you figure it out without going to the next pictures?

Just in case you can't, here is a view from another angle.

There were a lot of people hanging out here last night. I guess they had a lot of garbage...and I'm glad they used the garbage can.

But come on people...really?

There are two garbage cans here!

And they are what? 30 feet apart?

This didn't happen just this one time. It happens all the time. This is just the first time people have taken the time to actually lift the garbage can lid to get more garbage to fit when all they had to do is walk a few feet.

Unbelievable.