One hundred and fifty feet in a series of steep climbs is the effort expended to reach the relatively level portion of South Rim Trail where the tall Red Pines briefly reign. Here the trees thrive on the northeast facing slope. They grow in this way in one other location, in the upper park, on an eponymous trail.
Encounters with groups of people descending always demanded I step off the trail to allow social distancing. Everyone work a flimsy face covering, although Governor Coumo’s order covers situations where social distancing is not possible. As of you, we do not have the loose masks; but only the N95 or a full respirator (both acquired very early on, our respirators were purchased for spreading lawn chemicals and spray painting).
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Red Pine
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), also know as Norway Pine, shed pollen prolifically. Some Aprils my boots are covered with it, a dusting of yellow. Not today.
Wintergreen with Red Berry
A species easy to spot among the green, an example of a shrub of the genus Gaultheria, though a very small specimen. The common name is wintergreen and I have never found larger specimens in Treman park. It is growing among the mosses on the wall of Enfield Glen South Rim.
Macro, Red Berry and Leaves of Wintergreen with unidentified moss
The tough wintergreen leaves endue the cold seasons, the name is synonymous with evergreen.
Both shots are handheld, the macro is from a 100 mm “macro” fixed focus lens. ISO 2500, the f-stop to be wide open at 2.8 to gather the sparse light and present the subjects, blurring the immediate background. The overview shot is also a high ISO, 2000, the f-stop 5.8 on a variable focus lens set to 60 mm.
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills
You walk alone by the waters of Cayuga Lake in Stewart Park, nestled in the heart of Ithaca’s Finger Lakes, where Salix alba, the white willow, stands proudly along the shoreline. You’re immediately drawn to the flurry of yellow flowers, a stark contrast to the still chilly early March air.
The white willow (Salix alba), with its rough, gray bark, is beginning to dress in its spring finery, its branches teeming with tiny, starburst-like flowers. Each one is a miniature sun, casting a glow against the intricate lattice of branches. These aren’t the soft catkins of the pussy willow but the yellow inflorescences that are characteristic of the white willow’s early bloom, a signpost that winter’s grip is loosening.
These trees, you learn, are dioecious, with separate male and female trees. The blossoms you see are likely the male flowers, their stamens dusting your fingers with pollen as you brush against them. It’s this pollen that will soon beckon the bees, urging them to emerge from their hives and begin the work that sustains the ecosystem. You can almost hear the faint buzz, a prelude to the symphony of life that summer will bring. Return in midsummer to find the female catkins comprise numerous small (4 mm) capsules, each containing numerous minute seeds embedded in silky white hairs, which aids wind dispersal.
As you wander further, you note the presence of the white willow’s kin, other deciduous companions some still bare and stretching into the sky and others leafing out. You stand there, at the cusp of seasonal change, where the slumbering trees are on the verge of awakening, and you feel a kinship with them. Like these trees, you have weathered the cold, dark months, and now you stand poised to greet the renewal that comes with spring.
The stark, knotted forms of the white willow branches against the clear sky speak to you of endurance and resilience. These trees have weathered storms and droughts; they have been companions to the lake, mirrors to its moods, and now they are beginning to celebrate the cycle of rebirth and growth.
You take a seat on a bench, the cool wood through your clothes a reminder of the lingering winter. You gaze out across the lake, the water reflecting the brilliance of the sun like a vast, rippling mirror, framed by the elegant silhouettes of the white willows. You feel the peace of the park seep into you, the slow, rhythmic lapping of the water syncing with your breath.
This is a moment of transition, from the sleeping to the awakening world. You think about the Salix alba, how its presence here is a testament to nature’s adaptability, thriving in the moist soil by the lake, offering shade in summer and shelter in winter, its branches a playground for the winds.
As you leave Stewart Park, you take with you the memory of the white willows in early March, the quiet guardians of Cayuga Lake. They remind you of the enduring beauty of nature, the seamless flow from one season to the next, and the quiet joy of standing witness to the first whispers of spring on the shores of the Finger Lakes.
Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
If you ever feel like you’re struggling with independence, just remember these creatures who start life with the ultimate “figure it out yourself” kit.
Introducing the “Self-Service Buffet” of the animal kingdom, where the motto is “Hatch, Birth, Good Luck!” These creatures don’t stick around for cuddles or parenting classes:
Sea Turtles – The Ultimate Sand Sprinters: These little guys burst from their eggs and make a mad dash for the ocean, dodging seagulls and crabs. It’s like the world’s most stressful obstacle course, where the prize is simply survival.
Salmon – Swimmers on a Solo Mission: After hatching, young salmon are on their own, navigating the perilous waters without a GPS or even a pep talk. They’ve got more instinct in their little fins than most of us have in our entire body!
Praying Mantises – The Loner Ninjas: These insects hatch ready to rumble, with no parental guidance on how to be the ultimate predator. It’s a tough world where your siblings might just see you as their first meal. Talk about family drama!
Kangaroo Rats – Desert Hoppers Inc.: Born in the harsh desert, these tiny rodents are all about the solo journey from the get-go. No room service or guided tours here; just a lot of hopping and hoping.
Octopuses – The Brainy Solitaires: Octopus moms are the epitome of “do it yourself,” laying their eggs and then, well, signing off. The babies hatch fully equipped with all the smarts and skills they need, making them the envy of every overbooked parent.
Komodo Dragons – The Scaly Independents: These formidable lizards hatch ready to take on the world, with a fierce look in their eye that says, “I didn’t choose the dragon life, the dragon life chose me.”
Butterflies – The Winged Wanderers: From caterpillar to chrysalis, and then to butterfly, these creatures do it all on their own. If butterflies had social media, their status would perpetually be “Just transformed. Who dis?”
A Monarch butterfly freshly emerged from the chrysalis after expanding its crumpled wings.
So, if you ever feel like you’re struggling with independence, just remember these creatures who start life with the ultimate “figure it out yourself” kit. They might just inspire you to tackle your own obstacles – though hopefully, with fewer predators involved.
Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
With the thermometer in the 60’s on March 10, 2020 the “buttercups” of yesterday are open. When we first moved here, the plants were much thinner. I used fertilizer spikes on the Magnolia tree around which they grow. Each early the flowers pollinate, forming seeds and spreading.
A tripod held the composition steady, and the timer was set to 2 seconds for extra stability at the f25 setting.
Here is a slideshow of yesterday and today’s shots.
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills
In February 2020, I captured images of the first flowers to bloom on their property with a Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR and a macro lens. The flowers belong to the Eranthis genus, known for early flowering.
These flowers are the first to bloom on our property, around the magnolia tree, and are also the first wildflowers photographed with my then new Canon 5D Mark IV dslr . Each year these “buttercups” grow thicker and spread. The latin scientific name Eranthis hyemalis proclaims the early nature of its flowering both in the genus, “Eranthis” – composed of two Greek language roots meaning “spring flower”, and species, “hyemalis” – a term from the Latin language meaning, “winter flowering.” The genus encompasses eight species, all early flowering plants with the common name winter aconite. These can also rightly be called Buttercups as the plant belongs to family Ranunculaceae, buttercups.
To capture the intricate details possible with the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro lens I used here, it’s often necessary to adjust the camera settings to allow for a longer exposure time. This adjustment ensures that enough light reaches the sensor, particularly in macro photography or low-light situations, which helps in producing sharper and more detailed images. All these photographs are from f25. Setting a longer exposure compensates for the reduced light that might be a consequence of using a smaller aperture (higher f-number) for greater depth of field, a common technique in macro photography.”
It’s important to note that while setting a longer exposure can improve image quality by allowing more light to hit the camera’s sensor, it can also introduce the risk of motion blur if the camera or subject moves during the exposure. To minimize camera shake and achieve the best results, I used a Manfrotto “BeFree” tripod and the camera’s built-in timer set to a 2 second delay after a manual shutter release.
With the thermometer hovering above freezing, these blooms did not open today. The calendar says “late winter”, these Aconite are singing “early spring.”
Reference: Wikipedia “Eranthis hyemalis” and “Eranthis.”
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills
Discover a heartfelt story woven from the sands of Cocoa Beach on New Year’s Eve, where shells and stars intertwine, inviting you to ponder the delicate dance of near and far.
On the last day of 2023, as the sun began its descent on Cocoa Beach, I found myself tracing the contours of a heart laid out in Ark Clam shells. Each shell, with its ridges and grooves, felt like a chronicle of the ocean’s whispers. This artful mosaic, set against the granular canvas of the beach, was a testament to the playful hands of time and tide. I marveled at the intention behind it, the human desire to create and connect, to leave a mark, however fleeting, on the vastness of nature.
I found this beach heart while walking on Cocoa Beach on the last day of 2023. It is composed of the various shade of Ark Shells. Ark clam is the common name for a family of small to large-sized saltwater clams or marine bivalve molluscs in the family Arcidae. These are the most common shells found there.
The shells were cool and firm under my fingertips, each one a unique piece of the year’s mosaic. Some were a pristine white, while others bore the earthy tones of the sea’s floor. I pondered the journeys they had taken, tumbling in the ocean’s embrace before resting here, on the threshold of a new year. The act of arranging them into a symbol of love felt like an ode to the past year’s collective joys and sorrows, an offering to the unknown adventures of the year to come.
As the day waned, my gaze shifted from the shells to where the water met the sky. There, a sailboat floated serenely, a silent sentinel between two worlds. It was a picture of solitude, a single vessel on the brink of the infinite sea, beneath the expanding dome of the heavens. On the horizon, the silhouette of a cargo ship whispered stories of distant lands and the ceaseless pulse of commerce and exploration that defined our modern era.
On New Years Eve 2023 this sailboad moored off North 1st Street, Cocoa Beach, Brevard County, Space Coast, Florida.
The beach was quiet, the sounds of the day giving way to the evening’s peaceful lull. The sailboat’s stillness was a stark contrast to the perpetual motion of the cargo ship, each representing different paths on the water’s vast canvas. One was an emblem of leisure and simplicity, the other of industry and complexity. Both near and far, they were the day’s quiet companions, their stories part of the fabric of the Space Coast.
As twilight deepened into night, the stars began to emerge, one by one, until the sky was a tapestry of celestial wonder. With my iPhone 14 Pro Max, I captured this cosmic dance, the constellation of stars that had been the silent witnesses to Earth’s revolutions. The constellations, those mythic shapes that have long sparked human imagination, seemed to hold the secrets of what had been and what was to come. They were distant suns, their light traveling unfathomable distances to reach me, to reach us, as we stood on the brink of a new beginning.
Orion
I couldn’t help but feel a connection to the stars, a kinship with their ancient light. They reminded me that we, too, are part of this grand cosmic design, our lives stitched into the universe’s expansive quilt. On the beach, with the shells at my feet and the stars overhead, I was caught in the delicate balance of near and far—the tangible reality of the shells I could touch and the distant glow of starlight from ages past.
Orion, the belt and sword in center.
As the year ticked closer to its end, I stood between the intimate artistry of the shell heart and the boundless majesty of the star-filled sky, a lone observer of time’s relentless march. The Space Coast, with its unique blend of earthly beauty and human aspiration, was the perfect stage for this reflection. Here, on Cocoa Beach, I embraced the last moments of 2023, ready to welcome the new year, with its promise of continuance and change, its constant dance of near and far.
Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
Discover the mysterious journey of an ocean-worn hawser on Cocoa Beach. Join me in unraveling its sea-tossed tales and the profound messages the tides bring to our shores.
As I strolled along the familiar expanse of Cocoa Beach, a silver mist hung over the horizon, blurring the line where the Atlantic whispered to the skies. My footsteps, a quiet percussion against the hush of dawn, were the only sound until the waves added their chorus. I was here to greet the sunrise, a ritual that never failed to ground me, but today, the ocean had laid out a surprise – a hawser, heavy and worn, beached like a leviathan of the deep.
Cocoa Beach, Brevard County, Florida on the Space Coast
The Relic of the Sea
There it lay, a colossal rope, its many fibers frayed and clinging to sand, a testament to its battle with the ocean’s might. This hawser, a lifeline once to vessels that dared to navigate treacherous waters, was now at the mercy of the tides that once heeded its command. I approached, curious, reverence growing within me for this unexpected relic of human endeavor.
The High Tide’s Offering
The hawser’s journey to my path was a story written in the ebb and flow of the tides. The high tide, under the pull of the moon’s invisible hands, had surged with purpose, pushing this massive rope to the shore as its offering. High tides are nature’s way of reaching out, touching the land, and sometimes, they bring gifts from the depths, each with a tale to tell.
A Tapestry of Experiences
Touching the hawser, I felt connected to the lives it must have touched, the storms it weathered, and the unspoken histories it held. Each thread was a narrative, a voyage, a storm survived. The macro images of the hawser’s frayed ends resembled the intricate work of a natural tapestry – artful, chaotic, yet purposeful. It was a mosaic of experience, and now, it was a part of Cocoa Beach’s landscape.
The Dance of Man and Nature
The hawser at the foot of the lifeguard station stood as a symbol of humanity’s interaction with the mighty sea. We build structures, craft vessels, and forge hawsers, asserting our presence. Yet, the tides remind us of our place within the grand tapestry of nature. Tides dance around our creations, sometimes reclaiming them, other times presenting them back to us, reshaped, redefined.
Reflecting on the Tides
As I sat by the hawser, the sun broke free from the horizon, casting golden hues over the beach. The tide was retreating, pulling back into the ocean’s embrace, leaving behind patterns on the sand, and the hawser – a silent sentinel of the shore. It was a moment of reflection on the power of the tides, the constant cycle of giving and taking, and the marks they leave upon both the earth and our lives.
Conclusion: The Tides of Life
The tides had brought the hawser to Cocoa Beach, and with it, a moment of connection to the vastness of the sea and the shared journeys of all who traverse it. As I walked away, the hawser remained – a fixture until the tide would rise again, perhaps to claim it back or offer another token of the ocean’s depths. The power of the tides is a powerful metaphor for life’s ebb and flow, each wave a new beginning, each retreat a chance to reflect on the imprints left behind.
Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
As you stroll along the beach, the beauty of whelk shells captures your attention. Ever wondered how these intricate structures form? Dive into the secrets of their creation, from cosmic origins to mollusk mastery. Discover the fascinating world within their shells
As I wander along the coast, the variety of seashells scattered across the beach fascinates me, particularly the whelk shells with their intricate designs and robust structure. This marvel of nature prompts me to delve into the science behind the formation of these shells, which are not just homes for the marine creatures but also a testament to the extraordinary processes that take place both within the organisms and across the cosmos.
The Architect: The Mantle of the Whelk
The journey of a whelk shell begins within the mollusk itself, specifically with an organ called the mantle. This organ is a marvel of biological engineering, responsible for laying down the calcium that forms the shell’s backbone. It secretes a matrix, a kind of biological scaffolding composed of proteins and polysaccharides, and then directs the deposition of calcium carbonate within this matrix to create the hard shell. The mantle’s work is meticulous, ensuring the shell’s growth and repair throughout the whelk’s lifetime.
The Building Blocks: Calcium, Carbon, and Oxygen
So why do the elements calcium, carbon, and oxygen play such a crucial role in shell formation? It’s a question of availability and suitability. These elements are abundant in the marine environment—calcium dissolved in seawater, carbon, and oxygen from both water and air. Their chemical properties allow the formation of calcium carbonate, a stable compound that can adopt various forms like calcite and aragonite, offering structural diversity for shells. Calcium carbonate’s moderate solubility enables mollusks to control shell formation precisely, and its biocompatibility ensures the process is safe for the living organism. Above all, the resulting crystalline structure provides immense strength and rigidity, a natural armor against predators and environmental challenges.
The Role of Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is not just a building block for shells; it’s a common substance that shapes our world. Found in rocks as calcite and aragonite, it forms limestone, the basis of pearls, and even the eggshells we encounter daily. This compound is an active player in both industrial applications and biological functions, serving as an agricultural amendment, a component in cement, and even a dietary supplement for humans.
The Mollusk’s Craft: Extracting from the Environment
Whelks are not alchemists; they do not create calcium carbonate from thin air. Instead, they are master extractors, pulling calcium and carbonate ions from their surroundings and depositing them as calcium carbonate to form their shells. The mantle is at the heart of this process, secreting proteins and enzymes to facilitate ion extraction from the water. The precise regulation of ion concentrations and pH ensures the calcium carbonate crystallizes in the desired form, perfectly tailored for the whelk’s protection.
Star-born Elements: The Cosmic Connection
It’s astounding to think that the elements composing whelk shells are not just earthly but cosmic in origin. The calcium (atomic number 20), carbon (atomic number 6), and oxygen (atomic number 8) that are so critical to these marine structures owe their abundance to the stars. The life cycles of stars, from their hydrogen (atomic number 1) and helium (atomic number 2) fueled births to the explosive supernovae and neutron star collisions that mark their deaths, generate and scatter these elements throughout the universe. These star-born materials eventually coalesced to form our solar system and Earth, providing the necessary ingredients for geological and biological phenomena, including the formation of the whelk shells I hold in my hand.
As I reflect on the shells before me, I am reminded of the interconnectedness of all things—from the inner workings of a tiny mollusk to the vast and violent furnaces of stars. These shells are not just remnants of life; they are cosmic artifacts, a reminder of our connection to the universe and the extraordinary processes that shape our existence.
Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
Discover the resilient beauty of Florida’s dune sunflowers through the eyes of a beachcomber. Uncover the secrets of Helianthus debilis, a symbol of hope thriving where sea meets sand. Join the coastal dance of life.
Strolling along the beachfront of Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, my gaze is captivated by a cluster of dune sunflowers, or Helianthus debilis. These hardy perennials are native to the coastal sand dunes of the southeastern United States and have made a home amidst the sandy grains where few dare to take root.
The Sunflower’s Domain
Helianthus debilis, distinguished by its large, yellow ray florets and dark center disks, thrives in this challenging environment. The dunes provide a unique ecosystem, where the sunflowers can withstand high salinity, shifting sands, and the full force of the sun’s rays. Their deep root systems anchor the sandy soil, helping to prevent erosion and maintain the integrity of the dune landscape.
Adaptation and Survival
The dune sunflower’s adaptation to its coastal environment is a marvel of nature. Its silvery-green leaves are covered with tiny hairs, reflecting sunlight and conserving moisture. The flowers bloom throughout the year, ensuring a constant presence of color along the dunes. Their hardiness is a testament to the sunflower’s evolutionary success in a habitat where freshwater is scarce and the soil is nutrient-poor.
A Native’s Role in the Ecosystem
As a native species, the dune sunflower plays a crucial role in the coastal ecosystem. It serves as a food source for local wildlife, including insects and birds, and its presence helps stabilize dune formations. The ecological value of Helianthus debilis extends beyond its beauty, as it contributes to the biodiversity and resilience of the coastal dunes.
The Dynamics of Dune Life
The life of a dune sunflower is inextricably linked to the ebb and flow of the coastal environment. Each plant is a microhabitat, supporting a range of organisms from the larvae of the dune butterfly to the burrowing beetles that find refuge in the sand. The interaction between the sunflowers and these creatures creates a dynamic web of life, each species depending on the others for survival.
Reflections on Resilience
The dune sunflower’s ability to flourish in such an austere environment is a profound reminder of the resilience of nature. As I observe the sunflowers, I am struck by their tenacity, their willingness to face the elements head-on. They are a beacon of life in a place where existence is a daily challenge, and their perseverance is a lesson in the art of endurance.
Conclusion: A Testament to Nature’s Ingenuity
As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the dunes, I take a final look at the Helianthus debilis. Their scientific wonders and ecological im portance leave a lasting impression. They are not just flowers; they are a testament to nature’s ingenuity, an embodiment of the delicate balance between life and the environment. These dune sunflowers are a symbol of hope, a reminder that in the face of adversity, life finds a way to not just survive, but to thrive.
Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
Amidst the golden dawn at Cocoa Beach, a rare treasure emerged from the high tide’s embrace—a Scotch Bonnet shell. Discover its journey from the ocean’s depths to a beachcomber’s palm, and unravel the tales of marine life woven into its striking tartan pattern in this captivating story.
As the first light of dawn stretched its golden fingers across the horizon, I made my way down the familiar path to Cocoa Beach. It was an early January morning, and the air was crisp, with a hint of salt carried on the gentle breeze. The tide was high, giving the beach an intimate feel, as if the ocean itself was reaching out to share its secrets.
I’ve always found beachcombing to be a meditative experience, but today’s stroll was particularly enchanting. The beach was deserted, save for the scuttling sandpipers searching for their breakfast. The rhythmic crash of the waves provided a soothing soundtrack to my thoughts. As I walked, my eyes scanned the shoreline, seeking treasures among the flotsam of the sea.
A Striped Treasure Unveiled
And then, I saw it—a distinctive shell caught between the ebb and flow of the waves. Its bold pattern and unique shape were unmistakable even from a distance. I quickened my pace, eager to claim my prize before the sea could reclaim it. As I picked it up, water cascading off its curved surface, I marveled at the beauty in my hand: a Scotch Bonnet shell, a rarity to behold, especially here in Florida.
The Allure of the Scotch Bonnet
The Scotch Bonnet, named for its resemblance to the traditional Scottish tam o’ shanter hat, is a shell as fascinating as it is beautiful. Its scientific name, Phalium granulatum, speaks to the granulated texture that adorns its exterior. In my hand lay a symphony of creamy white and tan, with bold, brownish squares that resembled a carefully woven tartan. It was a mature specimen, its wide aperture and thickened outer lip suggesting it had lived a full life before arriving at my feet.
A Journey Through Nature’s Cycle
Fascinated by my find, I visited the Brevard County Museum of Natural History later that day. There, I learned that the Scotch Bonnet is more than just a pretty shell—it’s the former home of a gastropod, a creature that once crawled along the ocean floor of the Atlantic, from North Carolina to Brazil. These mollusks begin life as tiny larvae, floating in the currents until they grow large enough to settle on the seabed. They feast on sea stars, their radula—a toothy tongue—scraping their prey into digestible pieces.
The Scotch Bonnet’s predators are as varied as the ocean itself, from fish to other sea snails that prey upon the young or unsuspecting. Yet, the shell’s thick construction provides a sturdy defense, a fortress that serves its inhabitant well during its life.
Death Gives Life
The end of the Scotch Bonnet’s life cycle often provides a beginning for others. After death, the empty shell becomes a sought-after real estate for hermit crabs and a canvas for encrusting organisms like barnacles. It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of the marine ecosystem, where even in death, life flourishes.
In the quiet of the museum, I reflected on the journey of the shell in my pocket. It was not just a Scotch Bonnet; it was a chronicle of survival, adaptation, and ecological significance. It was a legacy of the ocean’s depth and a symbol of life’s tenacity.
The Scotch Bonnet: A Symbol of Coastal Beauty
As I left the museum, I thought about the Scotch Bonnet’s significance to beachcombers and collectors. Its scarcity makes it a coveted find, a gem among shells. To hold one is to touch a piece of the ocean’s mystery, to connect with a world that is often beyond our reach.
That January morning on Cocoa Beach, the high tide had gifted me a treasure. But it wasn’t just the discovery of the Scotch Bonnet that was precious—it was the reminder that beauty and wonder can be found in the smallest of ocean’s offerings. Every shell has a story, a past woven into the fabric of the marine world. And as I pocketed my find, I carried with me not just a shell, but the echoes of an underwater tapestry, rich and alive, just waiting to be discovered.
Copyright 2024 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 