Quite honestly I didn't look forward to this week's PhotoHunt theme of 'sad'. It just doesn't seem to fit the general theme and tenor of this blog. I really didn't want to go looking for things that were sad and highlight them in a post.
I was thinking about it one day while I was at the pond and finally came across something that I do find just a bit sad. Not really sad, mind you, but sad in a wistful sort of way. I walked around the pond and took a few shots and combined them below.
Now why would I find these sad? They are just sticks after all. Leaf-less twigs and branches sticking out over the water. What is so sad about that?
Well just a few short weeks ago those same sticks and others like them would have provided a different view. They were the perches for some of my favorite creatures. On almost any day I could walk along the edges of the pond and capture them in their varied colors and intricate patterns with the sunlight reflecting from their delicate wings.
So in a small way, for just a short moment, it makes me a bit sad to see the sticks bare of their recent visitors. Their season has passed and soon they will all be gone for the winter.
But am I really sad? No. I know it is just the cycle of nature. I can be fairly certain that new dragons will arrive next year to perform their aerial acrobatics and occasionally perch on the sticks and twigs to bask in the warm sun. After all, they have been around over 200 million years so they evidently have this cycle business down pat.
PhotoHunt
3 months ago
It will be sad now, but things will be pick up when they're back during another change of season.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post and it is sad when summer ends and nature shuts down for the winter or goes south or whatever.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to wish my life away but I can't help wishing that Spring would soon be here.
What diversity! Don't worry, Baker. We'll take good care of 'em when they get here (do they travel this far? I wonder), and all our other winter visitors from all over the northern part of the country... It's why I love Winter!
ReplyDeleteI almost didn't post to the theme today. It's not a nature pic, but sad. Oh great. It's beginning to rain now, just to complete the atmosphere. :-)
Stop by if you get the chance...
http://flamingofotos.blogspot.com
It won't be long and they will all be back again. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteWistful is a good way of looking at it Baker...
ReplyDeleteThe leaves will be back but thinking about it, there is something about autumn and/or winter that make people sad.
ReplyDeleteLove it...just worte a post about this smae sort of thing sans such beautiful photos though. Grat photo hunt
ReplyDeleteYes its true season is changing not like in our country only one season...Happy hunting dear.
ReplyDeletei know, this week's theme left me in a pickle. that's why i had to use an old photo.
ReplyDeleteGreat take on the theme, Baker...
I like your way of thinking~I don't like to be sad/think about sad things either~I'm just a happy-go-lucky person :)
ReplyDeleteBut you did well w/your take on it this week & I ♥ the pics of the dragonflies~they're absolutely beautiful! I captured my 1st ever dragonfly a little over a month ago & caught some amazing shots! When I have more time, I'll come back w/the link & leave it for you so you can see, if you have time that is :)
Have a great weekend :)
your photos of the dragonflies are great, Baker! your entries are also very interesting. i'm so curious about the place you live in. you seem to be so close to nature... and i think that's great! :)
ReplyDeleteI feel so sad not being able to see dragonflies anymore.
ReplyDeleteMy Photo Hunt pictures are posted here and here. Happy weekends!
This is perfect. I think....sad is not my 'cup of tea' either.
ReplyDeleteMy photo hunt is a 'drawing of sad'...stop by, won't you?
Hope your weekend is treating you well.
What a beautiful way to treat the concept of sadness.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes! It is a kind of wistful sadness!
But the time will come again! Nature has promised!
Life is like that I guess, sometimes we know things change... ought to change, but it saddens us nonetheless--nevermind that we know it will happen again.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame they are gone but they will be back next year. Happy weekend
ReplyDeletewow...cool shots for dragon flies isn't it???
ReplyDeletePlease drop at my PH post also : in HERE or HERE. Thanks
What a lovely post. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletegreat post don't be sad your little friends will return next year!
ReplyDeleteview mine if you wish here thanks...
Oh i can most definitely see and understand the sadness in this.
ReplyDeleteWe have a pond also. And although we are still having warm days here in Oklahoma the cool nights and mornings have arrived.
So my little visitors are disappearing also.
Great shots and thanks for dropping by to see my first ever!!
Great take on the theme. I love changing seasons but it is sad when some of the visitors are leaving. I miss butterflies and dragonflies when they are gone.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Baker, Nature can be sad. I think late fall and winter time is a really sad time for nature. When the leaves are falling and when it turns cold and snowy.
ReplyDeleteMine's up here
Nice post. In a way, I am also sad to see all the critters go. But they'll be back, won't they!
ReplyDeleteI did Photo Hunters today, too. I hope you get a chance to visit and post your link.
http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-sad/
I love dragonflies. I am a lover of fall so I don't mind a twig here and there :)
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Great post. I look forward to fall and even winter. It is a little sad this year that I am in Florida, the seasons are not as pronounced as they were in Colorado.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Amanda
http://www.amandasweeklyzen.com/2008/10/photo-hunters-sad.html
It is a little sad when the trees are bare, and it is not time for snow yet. That space in between fall and winter always makes me a little wistful.
ReplyDeleteI envy u for the opportunity to be around nature to take those great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI'm back~~as promised :) I was going to leave a link to a post to a weekly meme that I participate in that I posted the pic of the dragonfly but I have 8 more pics that I also wanted you to see.
ReplyDeleteSO, I went back & produced a new post~just for you~to show you my dragonfly captures. Although now that I look @ yours from today's post, I'm a little embarrassed because they're not as good as yours :\
Anyway, here's the link~hope you'll have time to view it~if you do have time, make it @ your convenience, not mine ;)
http://devotedmama.blogspot.com/2008/08/dragonfly-pics.html
Great blog you have. I just added it to my favorites, so I can keep up on the happenings in the pond. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteThat is sad. In that bittersweet kind of way autumn always feels like to me. Because you do know they will be back. But it's always sad to see them go.
ReplyDeleteSame time neXt year... Changing seasons can be melancholy, but the cyclical return is a steadfast comfort. Enjoyed your interpretation of the theme (a tough one)!
ReplyDeleteO.K....Now I'm sad.
ReplyDeleteYou are ever so correct when you get that "twinge" looking at an empty twig now. I'll miss the dragons. I'm going outside to look at my twigs!
I think fall in all it's glory and beauty does have a small essence of sadness due to the sense of loss just as spring gives us a lift because of new life.
ReplyDeleteWOW - So many nice comments and so little time - Thank you all so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to make my way around to visit everyone but I still have a few to go. If I miss anyone please accept my apologies. It certainly wasn't intentional.
I think many of you agreed that the changing of seasons can bring a bit of sadness or melancholy from losing those things that we enjoy about the past season, particularly as summer gives way to fall and winter. Personally I love fall and winter is not too bad here unless its raining and dreary. I will certainly miss some of the sights and sounds of summer, but I think that will only make me appreciate them more when they return next spring and summer.
Now for a few specific replies.
RJ Flamingo - I have heard and read of migrations of specific species, particularly in coastal regions, but I have no idea how far they may migrate. I imagine it is not too very far even though some can fly quite long distances in a day back and forth to feeding areas. I've seen well over 50 miles per day mentioned in various places. I think the life span is just a few weeks or months as an adult so migration is not a big issue. Most evidently become mature relatively fast and can reproduce and deposit their eggs so a long life span as an adult is not very important in most cases.
Connie - Always good to see someone who really likes dragonflies drop by - Hope to see more of you in the future
7th stranger and sho - Thanks so much - I'm lucky that for now nature is just outside the door
Shinade - Welcome to PhotoHunt and thanks for the follow - Really liked your take on the theme
cindy ruth - thanks - We look forward to seeing you visit anytime
spooky - don't feel sad about those empty twigs and sticks around Wishnik Woods - Just think of it as an opportunity to get ready to see those dragons next year and be ready to be excited when you spot the first ones of the season
Once again - Thanks to all.
I really liked your post today re: the sad theme! Change always brings out something in our moods and feelings. Personally, I do love when Summer turns to Fall and so look forward to the leaves changing colors. And, of course, after a long Winter I look forward to Spring!
ReplyDeleteI like your take on this weeks theme. We were the same in not thinking it really fit the blog tone. I actually wasn't going to participate this week, but thought the Minty story at least fit the idea of fostering, as he was taken in and cared for.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, they aren't sure why he passed away. While he would have been a target in the wild due to his colouring, he shouldn't have been genetically weaker because of it. I guess it was just his time.
Perhaps more melancholy than sad Baker.....when my bees leave I miss their presence.......
ReplyDeleteNature is wonderful she lifts us high and never ceases to tug at our emotions.......and I love each and every precious moment....
Hope you are enjoying your weekend......
I like your post. It somehow relates to reality that change no matter how good or bad is it brings out the feeling of sadness.
ReplyDeleteOh that is sad :(
ReplyDeleteThose twigs do look a bit empty, and that in itself is sad, cheers Baker.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit sad to see those beauties disappear. Until they come back, though, there will be so many other seasonal wonders to enjoy. Lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteThose empty sticks do look sad. Seems that nature handles these cycles better than us sometimes. But all of your photos are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting mine and have a nice week. Annie