33 Comments
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Dave Mead's avatar

I continue to find both your words and images beguiling even when you’re under the weather. Thank you for sharing.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Dave.

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Sarah Savage's avatar

I so identify with your description of the pine pollen, and your wondering if you will simply be mulch for a tree. That's exactly how it feels when everything is dusted yellow with pollen!

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks Sarah. With the dry weather the pollen has been especially noticeable. Perhaps like so many other flowering trees and shrubs pine is also experiencing a good year for flowers. In a previous spring I walked past a line of pine trees and saw a yellow mist lift as their branches were agitated by the breeze.

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Lin Gregory's avatar

I do love those low level macro images of flowers - so beautiful, makes me feel almost lilliputian! I’m just catching up so I hope you’re feeling much better now

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Lin. Yes, sometimes I feel like Gulliver walking here! Sleep, cleaner air; just waiting for the energy to return (and still fighting the feeling of ‘should be doing’). Patience can be difficult!

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Cheryl Magyar's avatar

Lovely, lovely, lovely. Hope you are well rested by now and ready to take even more awe-inspiring photos of nature. Thank you for your beautiful words.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

You’re welcome Cheryl, so good to know that you enjoyed this.My body is still telling me to listen, but I’m getting there, thank you.

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Lisa Cunningham DeLauney's avatar

It's like a fairy's eye view of nature. Magical.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

I hadn’t thought of that but yes—or a mouse perhaps! Thanks Lisa.

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Gaye's avatar

Sending gentle restful energies across the oceans to you Michela 💚

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Gaye!

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rebecca hooper's avatar

Arctic starflower!!! I love it. Wishing you a gentle period of rest 💚

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Sure beats chickweed wintergreen! Thanks Rebecca.

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DRNaturegirl's avatar

Eloquent and timely words. Great photos as always.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks very much Debbie.

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Sophie S.'s avatar

That second to last picture is stunning. Also, this must be the most poetic way I've ever heard someone say "I'm sick" 😂 get well soon!

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Michela Griffith's avatar

It’s my favourite too. As soon as I spotted the fly I had to see what was possible. That made me laugh too, thank you Sophie!

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Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Feek better soon, I think the beauty was worth it!?

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks Leslie. Getting some sleep now, so feeling happier. Yes, it’s hard to stay away when you know what you’re missing.

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Jan Elisabeth's avatar

So beautiful -- the images, poetry, words. The pulmonary gap is a phrase that pulls me in -- and that tug between rest and hitting the wall ... so resonant.

Huge thanks for sharing my post too. xx

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Jan. It’s funny how our minds repeatedly chew over things until something surfaces! Delighted to be able to share your lovely piece.

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Yasmin Chopin's avatar

Your words stop me in my tracks. Your photographs are amazingly beautiful.

I enjoyed reading this today, and hope you are feeling a little better by now, Michela.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you so much Yasmin. Yes, a better night last night—in a funny way I’m grateful to the tickle in my throat without which the first set of lines would not have come to be. I have been meaning to thank you for your recommendation—it means a lot to me and I’m grateful.

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Gill Moon Photography's avatar

Beautiful images Michela and such a delicate and pretty flower. I love the really low viewpoint that makes you feel as if you are tiny and inside the undergrowth.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks so much Gill. It was such a delight to find them here the first year—I’d never even seen a picture of them—and I look forward to seeing them each time. I suspect they are tougher than they look; the leaves can persist and turn reddish by autumn. I love taking photos at ground level though my body less so!

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Ralph Turner's avatar

Arctic Starflower..mm, a name as lovely as your images of it💚

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thanks Ralph. Aren’t they delightful flowers?

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Matthew's avatar

Arctic starflower 🤍

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Michela Griffith's avatar

It’s a beautiful name for them. Thanks Matthew.

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Linda Clark's avatar

A beautiful flower. I love your description and photos- but please rest and get well! I too read the amazing piece about Jean Cooke. I love her paintings, but was so shocked at her story. I had heard of her brutal husband, but not of Jean. I am glad to know of her now. What a talent. Heartbreaking what she endured in her marriage. Yet still she painted so beautifully.

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Michela Griffith's avatar

Thank you Linda. The tickle is finally clearing and sleep returning. I found Deborah’s account so moving that reading it was compulsive, and wondered what else might have been possible if she had not married him.

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