The cycle begins again

The mornings and evenings are a bit cooler and less humid these days, and some migrating birds have arrived in our area. But the wetland birds’ courting and breeding season that brings so many visitors has really not yet begun.

Fireflag Blossom

Fireflag Blossom

Lots of marsh plants are still in bloom, including these delicate Fireflags dangling over the ponds, and the Morning Glories growing right up out of the shallow water.

Everglades Morning Glory

Everglades Morning Glory

As we start the cycle of the year again, I find myself paying attention to the smaller wonders of nature all around me – like the tiny Green Tree Frog sitting next to the White Peacock Butterfly on the leaf below.

White Peacock and Tiny Frog

White Peacock and Tiny Frog

The cycle of the Jewish calendar and of the Torah readings also started this past Shabbat, as we read the story of Creation in Bereishit (Genesis) once again.

Skipper

Skipper

And G-d said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kind . . .  . and G-d saw that it was good.”

Warbler

I’m not really sure which Warbler this is 😉


Young Soft-shell Turtle

Young Soft-shell Turtle

The wetlands are filled with many flying, swimming, and creeping creatures – all astonishing in their complexity.

Gulf Frittilary

Gulf Frittilary

Observing these little gems of Nature reminded me of this fascinating Chassidic perspective:  “The orderly functioning of the world that was established during the process of creation—i.e., nature—is a concealment of G-d, since the world appears to function so perfectly on its own that it does not betray the fact that any being outside of creation is involved in running it.”

Halloween Pennant Dragonfly

Halloween Pennant Dragonfly

Have a beautiful week, and remember to notice the face of HaShem hiding in all the small wonders!

17 thoughts on “The cycle begins again

  1. Very nice. Love the Gulf Fritillary (have never seen one in the wild). The Pennants are one of my favorite dragonflies… find myself just watching them through the lens as they balance on the tip of a stalk of grass as it sways in the breeze.

    Liked by 1 person

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