The combination of heat and humidity conspires to slow down even the most energetic among us. During these late summer days, it’s difficult to find the motivation to take on new challenges. This land snail, however, seemed pretty determined in its early morning attempt to cross the Salt Marsh Trail.
This brown caterpillar seemed to be on a similar quest. Caterpillars are everywhere these days. Unfortunately, not all of them are harmless…
The heat and humidity isn’t slowing these down as they gobble their way through the leaves. Perhaps they’re just quenching their thirst by eating more fresh greens! Unfortunately, they are damaging fruit trees and many others in their path. Between their hunger and the dry summer, farmers are warning of rising food prices in the fall.
At least the birds have lots to eat. A crab isn’t fast enough for a seagull, even in the morning mist. Many crab shells litter the trail, remnants of seabirds’ breakfasts.
The shell of this green crab is still fairly fresh. Its color will later lighten in the sunshine. Though it appears intact, its insides have already been feasted upon by a hungry bird.
Summer’s slow days are perfect for the living to enjoy the warmth of the sun while it lasts. Hurricane season is right around the corner. With warm waters in the North Atlantic, who knows what lies ahead?
On these warm humid days, our view of the path before us is often clouded in fog. Yet, there is magic in the mist, the least of which is the mystery of the unknown that lies ahead. Perhaps the best we can expect to do is move slowly forward on the path set before us, simply putting one foot in front of the other while hoping for the best.
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2012
Flandrum Hill 
Your beautiful photos and text remind me of Mary Oliver’s poetry.
Valorie, I had to look up Mary Oliver’s poetry and then got sidetracked with reading it! Thanks 🙂
drought diet
dusty path
heel to toe, toe to heel
thirst to heal
NIce!
Very nice indeed Alice. Thanks for adding such a well worded comment Eva 🙂
Snails intrigue me–you captured the shell and its movement (or lack of movement) nicely. The last photo–looks like the end of the world and then “Here be dragons.”
‘Here be dragons’ for sure Alice. It does seem like a path to their lair.
Snails fascinate me too, whether they’re found in the sea or on land. There’s something about that spiral that always pulls me in.
Lovely post Amy-Lynn. That last photo is magical …
Sybil, that fog certainly provides a magical frosting to life out here doesn’t it?
Yes, the last photo and following text are so well said!
Thanks catharus. Glad you enjoyed it.
we see smaller crab shells on the beaches here – cream colored and lavender – more than once they have fooled me on my shell-hunting trails.
Sea gulls are so delightful and ravenous! I once saw one try and run away with a beach-goers sandwich! Watching it try and run, while maneuvering its wings AND trying to hold onto someone’s lunch was highly comical.
Aubrey, lavender shells sound lovely. Yes those seagull antics can be highly entertaining. Their persistence is amazing.
I wish to be as slow as a snail some of these summer days. To watch leaves flutter on trees. To witness caterpillars munch leaves. I love it when everything slows down enough to allow this. Thank you.
Kathy, with summer slowly coming to an end it won’t be long before these opportunities are fewer and far between. Wouldn’t it be great to take some of that slowness with us into the rest of the year?
Oh yes. Yes, indeed. Let’s remember…
The brown Caterpillar doesn’t look like something one want to touch. What would happen? Is it poisonous? I imagine the birds eats a lot of them if they can? I like the misty photo, and your suggestion on how to find out what the unknown looks like.
Giiid, there are no poisonous caterpillars here in Nova Scotia. At least not to humans. From what I can gather, this one is a salt marsh caterpillar (estigmene acrea). Walking slowly always seems to be good advice, especially when exploring unknown territory 😉
In the last few days of summer as a kid, I wanted them to last a long, long time as school would start right after the Labor Day weekend.
The day are already noticeable shorter as the Sun rises later and sets earlier. Nights are cool even if the days are hot.
May time still slow down before the first frost.
Scott, your comment inspired me to write a new post about these last days of summer. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
The path ahead is foggy indeed, but on we go, curious to find out What Comes Next. Not too curious, mind you.
Gerry, I wonder if curiosity kills wild cats as well as the domesticated felines. Probably not, but it’s always good to proceed into the unknown with a bit of caution.
There is a serenity in your images that I find so calming, such a poignant reminder to slow down and appreciate the moment. Thanks so much for that.
Cindy, I find nature very calming and maybe that somehow gets translated into the images. It’s a great antidote to the busyness of many of my days.
That last image and the accompanying text was so poignant. May there be a magical adventure waiting for you in that mist there, Amy – perhaps you will even catch a glimpse of a unicorn? 😉