Kip’s Comments - July 22, 2025
If Buttercup and I Were Critters
I have this pal... let’s refer to him as “Buttercup.” Over the duration of our friendship I have learned that Buttercup’s bubble of comfort/personal space is much more enveloping than mine. In other words, Buttercup is fine with being close. For me, my bubble of space that another dare not invade is much larger. As a result, Buttercup and I do not always sync up. Simply put, Buttercup sometimes invades my personal space.
So what might this have to do with my pictures from today? As I was exploring I saw a couple of critter examples of multiples of the same species. In my mind I correlated their “togetherness” with an outing in the woods I had with Buttercup. One of us was comfortable in the “wild.” The other almost needed his hand held, or at least to be comforted. I reflected on our outing while watching the paired critters. The critters today had “bubbles” that were protected - especially the birds. Their behavior reminded me of that pal of mine.
The first pair of same species found were spotted sandpipers. What one did the other did. One was an outdoor leader, the other was a follower. One led, the other and got too close and they both flew. One was a “Buttercup” and the other might have been me.
Spotted Sandpiper - Image 999619
Perhaps the most convincing observation that I was watching the critter version of Buttercup and me came when I found a pair of water snakes sunning themselves on the rootball of a fallen tree. Of the pair one was front and center (Buttercup?) while the other was just resting and watching (me?). Of the pair of snakes, one I was concerned would panic and fall into my canoe. The other just watched me - never instilling in me anything but calmness.
When I photographed the two I wanted to feature the more apprehensive snake with the calmer “shadow” snake out of focus behind. This picture was close to what I wanted. Maybe not perfect, but close considering the conditions.
(Those who know both me and Buttercup think about this picture. Isn’t this the critter version of him and me? Him in a posture of “up to something” or about to do something while I just wait in the background and react if necessary.)
Northern Water Snakes - Image 999382
OK - enough of putting human personalities into wildlife. The following are other images recorded during my morning outing. By the way - the two images of the cardinal flowers document my first observations of this plant this year. I generally equate them to “end of the blooming season” plants. There won’t be many left to bloom. I am not ready for this yet!
Another “By the Way”… Today’s picture selection clearly shows my interests are varied - from reptiles to wildflowers to rocks. I am a curious fellow and like to document what I find, even if my pictures (thoughts) bounce from one topic to another like a pinball.
Cardinal Flower - Image 999101
Cardinal Flower - Image 999097
Feather on Water - Image 999152
Geode - Image 999177
Green Heron - Image 999212
Hexagonal-pored Polypore - Image 999247
Monkeyflower - Image 999254
Obedient Plant - Image 999572
Pleated Inkcap Mushroom - Image 999618
Northern Water Snake - Image 999261
Northern Water Snakes - Image 999360
Northern Water Snake - Image 999425
Northern Water Snake - Image 999429
Northern Water Snake - Image 999490
