This week Tina challenges us to express what Seasonal means; I chose to do this with photographs. My husband and I are able to experience the seasons in two different parts of the country. Winter rolls in with freezing weather, complete with wind, snow and ice in Southern Maine; Kiawah Island, SC has a more moderate winter, although it can get a bit chilly at times. Spring is a welcome relief with delightfully warming temperatures as new life begins to unfold. And, summer days on Kiawah can heat up quickly and become humid before traveling north to Maine for more temperate temperatures. The autumn months in Maine can be spectacular; gorgeous fall foliage everywhere you look.
“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” ∼
WINTER
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know,
with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” ∼
Yes this was taken in Maine, one of their earlier snow storms of the year. Some landscapes are so picturesque right after a storm.
SPRING
“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want—oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ∼
With the coming of spring everything in nature wakes up; plants put out new shoots, babies are born in the animal kingdom. Many of us on Kiawah Island enjoy observing the different species of birds as they spend a few days here resting and feeding before continuing their migration to another part of the world. Rufus Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa) are one of the favorites and such interesting birds.
The Red Knots are amazing birds which travel more than 18,000 miles (28,968 km) a year, making it one of the longest-distance migrants in the animal kingdom according to the www.nature.org website. In order to endure this trip, their body has to undergo an amazing physical transformation. Flight muscles enlarge, while leg muscles shrink. … Due to these physical changes, Red Knots arriving from long migration flights are not able to feed maximally until their digestive systems regenerate, a process that may take several days according to US Fish and Wildlife Service. These incredible birds are on the endangered list and fortunately are protected as a threatened species. When observing migrating birds resting, feeding or nesting, respecting and not disturbed them is important for their survival.
SUMMER
“Then followed that beautiful season….Summer….Filed was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”
∼ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“I want to be like a sunflower; so that even on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the sunlight.” ∼ unknown
These beautiful sunflowers are among many seen in yards and along the roadways in Maine.
FALL
“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty,
as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” ∼ Lauren DeStefano
“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state
of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.”
∼ George Santayana
I will traveling out of the country next week and may experience limited internet access…. ☹ should this happen, I will return the first week of January.
Warmest Wishes for everyone! Hope you enjoy a Wonderful Holiday Season and
a Safe, Healthy and Prosperous Year in 2019.