juxtaposition

juxtaposition, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I drove by this place today and thought of this picture, which always cracks me up. I'd wanted to take it for the longest time, and actually got around to it last winter when I was in the neighborhood on the weekend.

The building isn't a church any more; it's now a recording studio. Still, you can't tell from the picture, and it's so typically New England that it doesn't matter, really.

Taken in West Springfield, MA on January 12, 2008

little jewels

little jewels, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Water droplets caught on a rose leaf look like tiny jewels! Taken at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA on August 23, 2008

praying hands

praying hands, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

These amazingly detailed hands are on an old marble gravestone in Pine Hill Cemetery. I would love to see what they looked like before they became so weatherworn! Taken in Westfield, MA on August 24, 2008

lit

lit, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This huge hibiscus bloom is lit up by the sun. Taken at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA on August 23, 2008

provident

provident, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found this beautiful rose at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA. Taken on August 23, 2008

distinguish

distinguish, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Fuzzy grass grows next to a mausoleum at Pine Hill Cemetery, Westfield, MA. Taken on August 19, 2008

golden

golden, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The setting sun gilds this obelisk in Pine Hill Cemetery yesterday.

I also captured it catching details from several different gravestones:









All taken in Westfield, MA on August 19, 2008

serene scene

serene scene, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I caught this scene along the Little River in the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA. Taken on August 17, 2008

flowing

flowing, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Stepping out onto a little spit of land in the river, I found this tiny tributary flowing through it. Taken at the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA on August 17, 2008

pause

pause, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

A pair of mushrooms rise out of the moss at the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA. Taken on August 17, 2008

inside

inside, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Inside the gazebo at Grandmothers' Garden, the wisteria threatens to take over completely. Outside, the setting sun gilds the flowers in the gardens. Taken in Westfield, MA on August 12, 2008

flutter

flutter, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Still not tired of daylilies! This beauty was at Stanley Park in Westfield, MA. Taken on August 13, 2008

reach!

reach!, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Tall yellow flowers, taller than I am, reach for the sky at Grandmothers' Garden, Westfield, MA. Taken on August 12, 2008

fading

fading, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Another shot from my walk in the woods the other day. A sign that autumn isn't as far away as we think it is! Before long, crisp nights will lead to bright colors and faded glory.

Taken at the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA on August 10, 2008

into the woods

dots, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I went for a nice walk in the wildlife sanctuary by Stanley Park this afternoon. There were rumblings of thunder, but the sun stayed out for the most part, and the woods were quiet and nearly deserted. Come with me, and let me show you why I love it there!

A small bridge crosses a rocky stream a little way in:



Not far after the bridge, the path diverges. Right, or left? I chose left.



I went off the main path onto this lush and green one:



The bees were enjoying these very tall flowers, which I think are Joe Pye Weed:



The clouds looked threatening, and the thunder rumbled, but I took a chance and kept going.



The apples are ripening on the tree:



I crossed the little stream that was a raging flood in the spring:



Feeling daring, I climbed over the barrier and crossed the crooked bridge toward the boardwalk:



Since it's closed off, there's not a lot of traffic there. I did see footprints, though, so I'm not the only one who snuck across!





Trees take precedence here:



End of the line, sorta - a tree has fallen across the boardwalk. This actually happened after it was closed from the previous flood damage.



It looked like a few folks had already made a path through the downed tree. I climbed up on its trunk and took its portrait:



These lovelies were growing along the boardwalk:



Back in the woods again, I found all sorts of interesting fungi:









All the rain we've had has made everything so green!



There's nowhere I'd rather be than in the woods.



These little 'shrooms were about an inch tall:



On the way out, this woman and her dog were just starting their adventure:



Thanks for sharing a walk with me!

behind

behind, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The swans at Heritage Park were willing to pose for me this afternoon. Actually, they ignored me completely as I snapped away! Taken in East Longmeadow, MA on August 8, 2008 (08/08/08!)

pollen

pollen, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This huge white lily was found in the formal gardens at Stanley Park, Westfield, MA on August 2, 2008

now that's orange

now that's orange, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I came across this day-glo orange fungus the other day in the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park. It really is that bright! I thought it was some plastic trash someone had tossed, until I took a closer look. It was growing along the bank of the river in little clusters. Nature really is amazing, isn't she?

Taken in Westfield, MA on August 3, 2008

peaceful place

peaceful place, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

An old mill (or factory?) turned into condos looks like a peaceful place to live, doesn't it? Taken on the bridge over the Little River on Granville Road, Westfield, across from Stanley Park on August 3, 2008

morning glories

morning glories, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I found these lovelies in the herb garden at Stanley Park. Taken in Westfield, MA on August 2, 2008