Photo by Pat Bean
Whose to say these mushrooms, which appeared to have sprung up almost overnight after a rainstorm aren’t as spectacular on a small scale as the Grand Canyon is on a large scale?
What small creation of Mother Nature do you find magical?
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“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” — Robert Brault
Travels With Maggie
My first look, many years ago, out over the sprawling grandeur of the Grand Canyon dazzled my soul. More recently, my bow-front ride on the Maid of Mist into the mighty spray of Niagara Falls’ filled me with exhilaration. It is, I’m sure, the same reactions the majority of tourists have to these two wonders of Mother Nature.
The last three leaves on a winter tree suprised and amazed me. -- Photo by Pat Bean
I’ve learned, however, that I can be just as dazzled and exhilarated by less grand things, for example three magical leaves. I use the word magical because against all odds they were the only leaves left on a tree that Maggie and I passed on one of our recent winter morning walks.
They reminded me of an O’Henry’s story, “The Last Leaf.” The tale is about a little girl with pneumonia who was determined to live until the last leaf fell from a tree outside her window. It never did – because it was painted on the brick wall behind the tree – and the girl never died.
But my three leaves were not painted. They were as green as new grass on a spring day. And they amazed me. As did the colorful mushrooms that appeared in a city park overnight after a rain storm. And the one yellow cactus blossom on a plant with dozens of magenta colored blooms at Pancho Villa State Park in New Mexico. Or the Gambel’s quail that I almost missed because it blended in so well with its surroundings.
Mother Nature’s canvases are both huge and tiny. While everyone may not be able to visit the ones we humans have identified as spectacular, everyone can see Mother Nature at work in the small things. You simply have to walk out your front or back door with your eyes wide open.
Pat Bean's blog 
Lovely reminder to look closely, be on the alert for small beauties, Pat. Thank you!
Pat,
Those mushrooms look like Chihuly glass sculptures. Have you ever seen his work? I’ve never told you this but… thanks. I am vicariously traveling with you and Maggie (I love dogs, have two!) and savoring every bit of the journey. Thanks for the frequent posts!
Near where I live in France is the Puy de Sancy, a mountain near Mont Dore ski resort. I took some friends to visit as the views on winter days are stunning. We took the cable car up to near the top and walked back down. On the way to the final summit, in glorious winter sunshine, there was a small green frog hopping along the path dodging the snow that was still hanging around at the end of the season. He went about five metres then vanished into the grass at the side of the path. I was amazed to see him, so out of place before spring and at nearly 2000m on the top of a mountain.
Things can catch your eye anywhere. I think it was Sherlock Holmes said
“everybody looks, not everybody sees”
Probably a butchered quotation, but never mind.
Jim
I love this piece–what a validation it is of the importance of the small life, beautifully lived. Few of us will become the Grand Canyons or Niagara Falls of our lives (unless, like our new Speaker, we are given to Weeping), but we can be frilly little fungi, or bright green frogs.
BodieP
http://www.magicdogpress.wordpress.com
Pat, what a beautiful post and and such a lovely reminder to wake up; beauty surrounds us if we but stop and pay attention.
Pat
Me thinks you and I share a bit of kindred spirit — our constant wonder and appreciation for the small gifts of Mother Nature! Thanks for the reminder. Lovely entry
Love the mushrooms!