“Did you remember your camera?” I asked my husband as our vehicle hurtled north, realizing I’d forgotten mine.
He hadn’t, so we were on our way to the Canadian wilderness camera-less. It was a sure bet that every large mammal in the area would prance in front of us, and we would be overrun by photogenic opportunities.
I gritted my teeth and tried to deal with it. Think positively, I told myself. You don’t need a camera. What’s wrong with good memories? So, I was fully prepared to deal with the disappointment of wild animals jumping out from behind every tree.
That did not happen. No giant moose or mother bear with triplets sauntered before my eyes. Just one small turtle and one ordinary deer crossed my path. However, fate had another plan. Never before in my life have I ever encountered as many beautiful insects and plants in such a short span of time. And yes, the zoom on my camera was sorely missed. Who would have thought I’d see so many small creations?
The first was a Pipsissewas plant. I noticed it as I walked to one of my favorite spots—a huge white pine where ancient fallen pine needles form a soft carpet. On my way to this lovely bower, my attention was grabbed by an unusual small white wildflower I’d never seen before. Its five roundish petals and pinkish interior sparkled from the mossy forest floor. As my eyes acclimated to the underbrush, I saw more of these lovely blooms and one small cluster that peeked from a round birch stump, petals whitely luminous, pinkish centers glowing. Click. What a beautiful photograph that would have made.
Tramping through the woods the next morning, a strange sight caught my eyes, a creature about three inches long, of cigar-size thickness, hanging on a low bush. This apparition was moving a caterpillar bottom in wriggling motions, while its top half, with butterfly-like small wings near its head, clung to a branch. I pointed it out to Dick and we watched this unusual creature continue its struggling motions. An hour later, to my astonishment, it emerged as a lovely green Luna moth. We had witnessed its metamorphous. Tell me my camera’s zoom lens wouldn’t have made a great photo of that.
Although two great photo opportunities missed did not spoil my weekend, I was secretly happy that the sunsets were not spectacular.
Monday morning as we headed home, tired and happy, we drove through a June day, bursting with life. Wild roses spilled from ditches and formed blooming pink masses along the roadside. We passed a swampy area where blue flag or wild iris blossoms formed small blue islands over the entire marsh surface, a purple-blue wonder to behold. Two more missed photos.
Last but not least, masses of yellow Swallowtail butterflies occasionally clustered on the road, forming bright clumps that glowed like gold nuggets tossed by some unseen hand.
Another breathtaking sight now etched only in memory.
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