American Golden Plovers are undoubtedly flashy birds. Throw that black, gold and white critter into a field of spring wildflowers on a bright and sunny evening in Alaska’s Arctic, and…wow. Keep in mind that this is the same tundra that many members of congress would have you believe is a barren wasteland suitable only for exploitation. This wildflower and wildlife filled garden in no way meets that description. Still, it isn’t a landscape that can be appreciated from afar. It’s best seen from the ground, on foot, or knees, or even, from flat on your stomach. The lovely details are small, the flowers bright and delicate. And everything about the arctic summer is ephemeral. The presence of the birds, the blooms, even the sun itself, is passing, and quickly.
I think the tundra has a lot to teach us.
Related posts:
I remember selling my first image. I'd recently been accepted at a stock ag...
This post is the second and final part of my contribution to 2011 retrospec...
I just got back to town after leading a five day float in the western B...