Wednesday, June 29, 2011

EPHEMERAL ART



I don't what things arachnid to become the week's theme, but…spiders are not all bad. Moreover, sometimes they produce what must be—at the very least—considered unintentional art in the forms of their intricately-crocheted gossamer webs.

When I stepped out the back door of the cottage this morning, I found this example strung between two trees in the deep shadows below the hillside. A shaft of rising sun somehow wove its way between the leaf canopy, obliquely lighting the delicate strands. Knowing how ephemeral such moments can be, I went back in for my camera, made several quick exposures, and returned to my desk for a quick upload to the Mac. The shot at the top of this post was the best of the lot—but as I looked at the result on-screen, I realized that in my haste, I'd not done the best job of choosing f-stop and shutter speed, so back out I went for a better try. 

Alas, in that brief interlude, which couldn't have been more than three minutes, the web had disappeared—doubtless taken out by a flying bird. My photo opportunity was over. Such is the nature of this transitory art. It's beauty, like so many lovely things in life, fleeting, existing only in the moment. And the lesson therein is that we must always respond immediately, in word or deed, before the opportunity is forever lost.
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8 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

That's amazing Griss - both the beauty of the cobweb and the speed at which it disappearedWe get a lot here in winter and they look wonderful when there is a frost.

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

Late-summer through early-fall is our amazing web season, especially on those sunlit mornings when they're jeweled with dew or glazed in frost.

Gail said...

Hi Grizz- what a lovely way to share one of life's gifts - a fleeting moment of beauty . ANd yes, so many of these moments come our way - many are missed due to life's distractions - I try to capture the essence of every surprise, of nature, of humanity of life. And you too are a seeker of all things wonderful.
Love to you
Gail
peace......

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Yesterday is history, tomorrow only a hope…we live in the moment, and only there can we find peace and joy, blessing and wonder, passion and love.

Stay well and wring every drop of life you can out of each and every moment.

Robin said...

Forgive my abruptness. I have a new blog, I"d love you to come visit. With any luck, it will be the last.

http://robinsturningpages.blogspot.com

It has to be the last, right? Because we are always... turning pages.

Thanks, Grizz....

Grizz………… said...

Robin…

Nothing to forgive about it—you know I'd want to know, so you wrote. What's to forgive? Now, if you and Meander had snuck off in the dark of night with no heads-up…well, THEN we'd have something to discuss.

And I like the new look. New place, new blog. Makes sense to me. Congratulations!

Cicero Sings said...

Ahhh ... respond immediately ... too often we waver and dilly about.

Grizz………… said...

Cicero Sings…

When it comes to failing to respond immediately to things—photo moments included—I'm more guilty than I like to admit. It's one of those good lessons I have to keep relearning…