Nature is what we know
But have no art to say,
So impotent our wisdom is
To Her simplicity.
                        -- Emily Dickinson

Patterns #1

This adventure began in the fall. Walking in the woods I noticed that the recent leaf fall left the trail in a cover of leaves. A pattern of leaves.

Patterns #1b

Patterns #1c

Ever iron leaves between sheets of wax paper?

Patterns #1d

Patterns #2

Leaves still on a tree form distinct and meaningful patterns as the leaves try to take up every inch of sky without overlapping and with mathematical precision.

Patterns #3

If one could get closer to the leaf's surface one would see that is has pores. Not so close one can see that this one has raindrops.

Patterns #4

These are what some would call weeds -- shame on them. The color is real.

Patterns #5

Beauty within a swamp.

Patterns #6

These images fascinate me -- never in a million years will this pattern be seen again...

Patterns #6a

or this one...

Patterns #6b

or this one. Never, ever.

Patterns #7

Smaller patterns make up a larger pattern -- perhaps these ferns are optimized to get as much sun as possible as the sun moves over their sway.

Patterns #8

It is said, somewhere I think, that bees and other insects do not see color as we see it, that they travel from shape to shape. Pity the poor color-blind bee.

Patterns #9

Patterns or reflections... the water is so clear that I see the patterns of the stones more clearly.

Patterns #10

Tree roots arrayed like pine needles? Or pine needles arrayed like tree roots?

Patterns #11

A field of dreams.

Patterns #12

These fronds were dancing in the wind that day.

Patterns #15

Chemical fractals.

Patterns #16