Saturday, August 8, 2009

PHOTOGENIC WASTELAND

The latter half of this week has been unexpectedly busy, which is my excuse—the best I can come up with—for not putting up a post for a few days.

I have, however, been trying to shoot photos whenever and wherever I can.

An hour ago I stopped by my local Sam’s Club pharmacy to pick up a prescription. The photos here were the result of a fifteen minute session at edge of an old field which abuts the back side of the Sam’s parking lot. All were found growing within a space of perhaps twenty feet, and I never stepped off the pavement to make a shot.

The field is really just a ten-acre patch of land cleared some years ago when various restaurants, motels, and retailers began moving into the area. For whatever reasons, this large lot has yet to be used, and has more-or-less reverted back to a semi-wild state.

Weeds dominate—as they always do in most such places. But one man’s weeds are another man’s wildflowers…and even the most noxious weed can oftentimes offer a vision of splendor if you look close.

II suppose most would look on such a place within an industrialized area as just a bit of wasteland. Not worthy of a second glance. But only man produces true wastelands; nature always has a few tricks up her sleeve, and given half a chance, churns out beauty.

I intend to bring my camera along the next time I visit Sam’s—and to allow myself a bit more exploration time.

Who knows what visual treasures the old field holds?

20 comments:

Richard said...

Great pictures. You never know what you will find until you look.

The Solitary Walker said...

It just goes to show there are miracles in our own back yard, Grizzled. If only we stop a while and see.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

These are lovely photos!
I especially love the Queen Ann's Lace.

Grizz………… said...

Richard…

Photos are where you find 'em, for sure. Weeds or wildflowers…the difference is mostly one of viewpoint.

Grizz………… said...

Solitary…

It's the stopping and looking part we mess up—not any lack of beauty.

Grizz………… said...

Lynne…

I love Queen Anne's lace, and intend to do a post on it one of these days. It is such a common but such an exquisitely lovely flower when you look close. I'm glad you liked the photos, repeats and all.

Jenn Jilks said...

It's amazing how busy one gets. We have had a fun/tough time in Bala. There were 6 drownings in a week.
Plus granddaughter is here with her parents. So much fun yet so much sadness.

Gail said...

Hi Grizz-

Beautiful photos. - SO clear and detailed and vibrant. I love that you found the flowers/weeds in a lot in back of Sam's. Amazing. - and if anyone would find a natural treasure amidst an industrial complex it would be you. :-)

Stay close.

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Wanda..... said...

I loved the photos...especially Queen Anne's Lace...it's the first wild flower...other than the ones more common to a child like daisies, clover, and dandelions, that my grandmother showed me.
It's amazing that you found them growing next to a Sam's parking lot. I wonder how many others have admired them or even noticed you taking photos.

Grizz………… said...

Jenn…

That's just awful all those people losing their lives. So tragic for all their families and friends—and such a loss of futures.

It's good that your granddaughter is there visiting…at least you have her happiness to counterpoint the sadness.

KGMom said...

I so agree that Nature reclaims her own--despite humanity's best effort.
There is a recent book that I want to see--it is about Manhattan, and using old map, current photography and creative computer programs, the author has recreated by illustration what the island must have looked like before Europeans began turning into what it has become today.
Much as I like Manhattan, I yearn to know what it looked like before we got there.
Your vacant lot is but an example--beauty always abounds.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

There's beauty around if we search it out. Life, even in the worst of times, always has something to fill our eyes—and perhaps our hearts—with reason to hope.

Thank you for your nice words.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

I saw the Queen Anne's lace first…then the other things, one after another. All in a small edge portion of the field. I have no idea what the little yellow flower is.

When I was growing up, Mom would often bring Queen Anne's lace into the house and set a bunch in a vase on the kitchen table. It is just a lovely bloom. I do wonder how may Sam's customers drive around the building and never notice a thing.

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

Beauty does indeed abound. I don't know if I'd want to see that book or not—though I have no affinity for Manhattan nowadays, it would pain me to see it as it once was, undefiled. I know people have to build their cities somewhere. And I understand the logistical reasons for building along the shore. But the Eastern seaboard must have been an incredible place when the first European settlers began stepping off their tall-masted sailing ships.

We have surely taken one of the most beautiful continents on the planet and ruined a great percentage of that natural beauty—and so needlessly. Alas, we do so yet.

Jayne said...

It always makes me smile when a leveled lot sits for a while and nature takes over once again. It's almost as if the wildflowers and weeds are taunting the people who thought they could eradicate them. :c) What a bounty of "weeds" you found to create this lovely post!

Grizz………… said...

Jayne…

What's the old saying, "Nature abhors a vacuum?"

Give a naked field half a chance and in a short time, it will clothe itself in colorful finery!

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

The teazle attracted me, and your story was just a way to say "Slow down and smell the "weeds"...I loved it.

Grizz………… said...

Teri…

Well, maybe not smell the weeds—ACHOO!—but at least given them a good, close, honest look.

Rita said...

AH.. The dance of life...Just the fact that you recognize them as "visual treasures" makes their existance special, which makes them shine more brightly for the next perosn who loves and appreciated their beauty.
Nice to see when someone loves and nurtures the beauty of the little things.
Have a wonderous day!
Rita

Grizz………… said...

Rita…

I do appreciate and try to notice beauty—no matter where it's found. Too often, I think, we wait to be overwhelmed, when all along, the subtle and richest rewards are at our feet.

You have a great day yourself! And thank you for your nice words.