All sorts of local laws and regulations have been tried and found wanting, and the costly lessons of our own experience, as well as that of every civilized nation, show conclusively that the fate of the remnant of our forests is in the hands of the federal government, and that if the remnant is to be saved at all, it must be saved quickly.
Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed, -- chased and hunted down as long as fun or a dollar could be got out of their bark hides, branching horns, or magnificent bole backbones. Few that fell trees plant them; nor would planting avail much towards getting back anything like the noble primeval forests. During a man's life only saplings can be grown, in the place of the old trees -- tens of centuries old -- that have been destroyed.

-John Muir

changing loon

fall sumac

Fall begins

The Burren

look over the landscape
at what once was
where trees towered the soil covered rocks
birds called flying between the boughs of leaves
that was our time once
before the towering trees fell
and the rocks now revealed
slowly wash away
but I will always go back
and stand where we once stood
dreaming of trees
and loving you.
-Corby

Galway Swan

sometimes some doors close
so that others can open
it is the way of goodbye
perhaps when I come around the corner
you will be there laughing
as my dear friend
I will believe in the best of the world

rainbow peacock butterfly

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high.
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
Away above the chimney tops.
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow,
Why then - oh, why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh, why can't I?

From the Wizard of Oz

wren getting funky

what was that... you forgot dw!

Jackdaw

cheerful Irish Robin