National Geographic Photographer Talks about Going Face to Face with Lion

This Youtube video was sent to me by Sharon ElaineThompson,, of  Salem Oregon. Sharon, is my writer/author/gemologist/cousin, who knows of my love of photography and my mission to help bring the awareness of the issues our native/natural worlds to the public through writings and photos. She sends me stuff from her searches and findings on the Internet. She sent this video last week.
I have often wondered what it would be like to be a photographer for an acclaimed magazine as National Geographic. The poem,  "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"  written by Dr. Seuss is dancing around in my head. 



I was interested in seeing what a person would do when faced by a lion, so I read the article and watched the video. I have come across snakes, snapping turtles, hundreds of bees in pursuit of the pollen laden Monarda in my pursuits, but never anything as intimidating as a lion. The video had a side bar about the hazards of being a National Geographic photographer,which I read before viewing the video, some of those mentioned were: falls, being surrounded by rebels, imprisoned, stoned by religious groups, severe diarrhea, and 8 actually being attacked by wild animals. I am sure while photographer, Mattias Klum, was before this lioness, he wasn't thinking that he would be the only National Geographic photographer killed/eatten by a lion.
I was still intrigued because there had to be more, he lived to tell the tale. Klum was at the right place at the right time. Serendipitity, an experience all photographers long to experience. He was blessed. He remained calm and even though realizing the lioness could be sizing him up as prey, he looked into the eyes of the animal, as she rolled over, and let her do the talking. He shared with her a special moment, as he said. Maybe as humans on this earth  we all need to start listening to the animals, the earth, our water. As members of this planet we all need to shake up our reasons for being in this world maybe look at it upside down  and listen. The lioness' message was "Take my picture to help save our species, there are only 300 of us left".
What can you listen to today, what message can you find? Shake up your world, look at it upside down, listen, take a picture.

Breaking all records, 82 degrees! Skunk Cabbage on the first day of Spring

Skunk Cabbage on the March 20, 2012

One year ago on the first day of Spring, I was walking in snow. Today, I am in shorts and a t-shirt walking the edges of the wetlands that surround my home looking for one of the harbingers of spring: the Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus).  I have heard the Spring Peepers  (for over a week now, the males are singing to entice the ladies. The Robins have returned, as the red- winged blackbirds looking for suitable real estate for themselves and their soon to be families.

The arrival of the skunk cabbages in a more normal winter March month, would be more interesting but not less exciting as finding them today. The skunk cabbages have intrigued biologist for centuries. They are able to produce their own heat, thus melting the snow around them. This heat keeps flower buds from freezing as the temperatures fluctuate. They also release a musky scent that attracts otherwise carrion eating insects. They have been nicknamed `beetle hotels`. Evolving for centuries with the beetle, flies and bees, who use the 72 degrees  heat within the flower to stay warm, these members of the Araceae family, or thermogenic plants, including Dutchman's pipes, waterlilies, lotuses, palms and the cycads, offer a cozy environment to the otherwise freezing temps. The insects survive in these cooler, sometimes down right freezing spring changing temperatures, and use little of their own energy to stay warm.



The flowers need to be cross-pollinated, because the female parts mature before the male parts release the pollen. As the heat seeking insects crawl around laying their eggs, they dutifully spread the pollen fertilizing the plant.  Once fertilized the cycle is renewed for another year of this heat
 producing plant.

After fertilization, the skunk cabbage unfurls it paddle shaped leaves. Colors on the leaves range from a limey green to  purplish-brown streaked with green or yellow. Skunk Cabbages need to keep their feet wet, they also need acidic rich soil. The wetlands in Oakland Count offer such a habitat for the plant.

Don't be fooled by the beauty of this plant. This plant is a second-best favorite to bears, (not in Oakland County) but to humans the poisonous oxalate crystals that are in the leaves can cause blisters, to the tongue and cause burning to  the digestive tract. The Native Americans, historically, used the roots of the plants to treat seizures, asthma.

In August, when other plants are showing a gorgeous fall color, our cabbage has gray-brown spheres, looking like a darning egg. The leaves are turning to slime and are rotting. The seeds are fully germinated and are either dropping near the mother plant or have been eaten and carried away by an animal or bird. These plants have survived for hundred of years, and are another reason for protecting the wetlands so quickly being replaced by Phragmites.

Winter Skies in Everett, Washington

Winter Sky Photo 1

Who knew, that going to visit my family in Washington would be the only real winter I would have in January.

Michigan has been so mild that only a few inches of snow has fallen.


Upon my arrival in Washington, the weather was sunny, yes sunny, and what a spectacular end to the day with a spectacular sunset.

Winter sky Photo 2

Enjoy the 10 minutes of pure joy as the sky changed colors.

Winter sky Photo 3

March has blown in like a Lion!

Today is March, 7th. Wow, have the months flown by. My last posting was in January, before leaving for Seattle. Alot has happened since then. I enjoyed winter in Washington with my family. They received so much snow, I barely escaped out. The Sea Tac airport closed the next day because of the snow. My grandsons didnt have school for a week.

Home only for 3 days and off to East Lansing, MSU, Kellogg Center, to attend The Stewardship Network Conference. This was my first conference, the start of many to come. For the fifth year, Lisa Brush, founder and executive Director, and associates exceeded in providing through the information packed presenters/presentations, keynote speakers and Q&A sessions, the current barometer on the health of our natural lands, native plant populations, tree and water resources.
Two days of nonstop opportunities allowed participants to be exposed to ideas from various perspectives, theories ( some proven, some works in progress), doctorial studies and hands-on-from-the -field information. The conference was not just about the classes and presenters, it was about how participants will be using the information learned once they returned home.
Much conversation could always be heard in the halls while moving from one session to another, even the elevators were not off to topics of wetlands and water quality.
The Friday night get together for the poster session and silent auction was a chance to relax and share information learned during the day. It allowed each of us to ask ourselves and others what have we as individuals been doing in our immediate areas to impact the planet.
As the conference closed, the question asked by keynote speaker, Doug Ladd, "Are We There Yet?" Heading Towards Stewardship Success.... remains in my head. Hauntingly asking me and you, Are We There Yet?