“Of all man’s works of art, a cathedral is greatest. A vast and majestic tree is greater than that.” – Henry Ward Beecher
The photo challenge this week is a virtual scavenger hunt. Anne is challenging us to look through our photo archives to find the right one that meets her criteria. Who knows, I may find a few pictures I had forgotten about. She suggested a list of items to look for. Here are a few: something with green eyes, or cool jewelry, something circular, rectangular, has a design or a pattern, something with bumpy texture, a soft texture, or something of glass, and her list goes on….
All but one of my ‘fines’ were created by nature as opposed to man-made. For example, something with a bumpy texture made me think of Angel Oak, a magnificent live southern oak tree (Quercus virginiana) is located on Johns Island, SC, near Charleston. It is estimated to be 400 to 500 years old, stands 66.5 ft (20 m) tall and produces shade covering 17,200 square feet (1,600 m). According to information at Angel Oak Park, the limbs are hollow although covered with healthy bark plus the life expectancy for this oak tree is around nine hundred years.
This next picture is a sharp contrast to the previous one. I wanted to show something with a soft texture and this picture came to mind – three soft, cuddly 12 week old puppies. By the way, the one on the left and went home with me and my husband!
Happiness is like a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond our grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” – Henry David Thoreau and also Nathaniel Hawthorne
When thinking about zig zag lines, something circular and patterns one topic came to mind that include all three of these. Personally, I think butterflies have the most beautiful designs and patterns on their wings. Interestingly, these play an important role in their survival. Their wings are used to attract mates or as a camouflage from predators. Many have dull, camouflaging patterns on their ventral (bottom) wing surfaces and bright, showy colors on their dorsal (top) surfaces, which are hidden when the wings are closed. Each of the next three pictures show an example of one or more items listed for the scavenger hunt.
An Owl butterfly (Caligo genus) wings is my find for something circular with it’s eye spots plus a “bark-like” pattern for hiding in trees. The owl name comes from the large, owl-like circular spots on the underside. They serve as a defense mechanism by startling predators. At rest with their wings closed, the duller, “bark-like” patterns help it blend into its surroundings. (If this image is enlarged (double click) it shows that the butterfly’s closed eye has the same pattern as the wings.)
The Red Lacewing butterfly (Cethosia biblis) exhibits beautiful zig zag lines on its wings. Plus its red coloring also indicates a warning to predators that it is poisonous.
Paper kite butterfly (Idea leuconoe) below is a large butterfly and known mainly for its beautiful black and white pattern.
The Wedding Cake House shows the only man-made image and is well known in Maine for its beautiful and unique design. The house was built by George Washington Bourne on the Kennebunk River as a wedding gift for his bride, Jane, in 1825. Right after their marriage, he had to leave on business. While away, he carved beautiful woodwork pieces for the top of the house and presented them to his bride as “icing for her cake”. The “icing” was added 26 years later starting in 1852. This home is known as the most photographed house in Maine.
Thank you for visiting my post and hope you enjoyed seeing my interpretation of Anne’s list of scavenger hunt items. Be sure to see her beautiful post and the items she chose by clicking here.
“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” –E.B.White
The house has a lovely story to it but your butterflies and the Angel Oak are my favourites. Especially the oak, a hug is needed 😀
Sylvia, what a beautiful gallery. I’m glad you picked nature. The butterflies are amazing, especially.
Oh so beautiful Sylvia! The Angel Oak is an amazing tree. Your butterflies do this challenge justice with their beautiful colors and patterns. And what can I say about the Wedding Cake House? Well done!
Well-scavenged Sylvia! Always love seeing the Angel Oak of course, and your butterflies are beautiful. And who can resists a passel of puppies?!