Quiet Observation

Our ancestors lived in quiet observation of the world around them.  Letters to family in Europe describe the extremes of Canada's Winters and Summers, the exotic animals and plant life.  My Grandfather, who was born before the turn of the Century before this one, kept a weather diary, with his daily entries of rainfall, snowfall, bird sightings, planting and harvesting.

People have been observing nature for as long as we've been on the planet.  In the 1800's it became trendy!  Naturalists as well as ordinary men and women observed their world, and described it in words and illustrations.  Those who could afford travel, or who received sponsorship from a prestigious society, would travel to the far corners of the earth, and amass collections of rare plants, butterflies or seashells.  Today, their detailed drawings and notations are reproduced on chic home decor items. 

Categorizing specimens into family groups, and subgroups begins with observation.  In describing a flower, one considers whether it is part of a tree or shrub, whether it grows from a seed, or a bulb. The shape of the blossom, whether they grow on a single stem, or in a cluster, and whether they grow upright, or cascade downwards, are all important in distinguishing one flower from another.  Petals have different shapes, compositions, and textures.  Colour and pattern are very important distinguishing features.  The size and shape of the leaves, and whether the leaves are fine, or waxy, long or broad, are also important in classifying a flower.

Take a quiet moment to observe these images of Rabbit's Foot Pussywillow branches intertwined with a mixed bouquet of tulips...  

 

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.