It was a peaceful Monday afternoon of Labor Day in Bend, Oregon. It was clear that the tourist season was over. There were few people on the roads, in the parks, or on the river's edge. Needing a little exercise, I decided to take a short walk and take pictures near the new recreation center. In this area of town, wildflowers grow prolifically creating a lovely atmosphere for residents and visitors to enjoy and, not forgetting, a floral buffet for the bees. It occurred to me that other municipalities could spread flower seeds in their open space and create similar environments. Much has been done to clean up and beautify the urban and suburban environment, not that the results compare favorably to the aesthetic when there was less civilization. A flower pot hanging from a light post here, and a non-native tree in a planter there, does not bring back the prairie. Yet it is an attempt, however feeble and limited, to offer nature's beauty as a soothing palliative to combat stress. Even many mall parking lots, paved on former stands of old growth trees or long forgotten orchards, have obligatory green spots. Is it better to say some living appearance other than asphalt is better than nothing? I think so.
9 comments:
I agree that it's better than nothing, and the profusion of flower-planting in that part of Bend is a delight. However, I can remember from Day 1 (OK, maybe Kindergarten) how much I hated the destruction of wildlife, wild areas, and the tract houses and ugly buildings that replaced them. I guess it didn't take any convincing to turn me into a conservationist at heart. I enjoyed your post.
Yes, I agree too, it is better than nothing.
Enjoy!
Sylvia
Yes something is better than nothing but to save the land in the first place would be the best.
I love the scattering of seeds along our freeways. Wildflower meadows.
Lee did you know you sound like Lady Bird Johnson. MB
I agree with you completely.
Yes! And I've noticed that more and more parking lots in Florida include sections of flora.
I like this shot a lot, Lee! The colors look very "autumny." Very beautiful.
Re: your comment on Ocala DP - The concept of "heaven," I think, is often use as a refuge for scoundrels -- especially religious scoundrels - who gain satisfaction from deciding they're in and others are out!
It's also a "hope" for perfection in another life, which too often leads folks to devalue this life as well as their responsibility to make this world a better place.
Have a wonderful day!
I too agree with you and shot too is wonderful !! Great..Unseen Rajasthan
I enlarged the picture and looked at it very carefully to try and figure out what kinds of flowers those are. The orange-yellow ones in the background with the black centers appear to be black-eyed Susans or possibly conflowers. I can't be sure about the orange and yellow ones in the foreground. My first thought was "calendulas." But when I enlarged the picture, some of the foliage looks like calendula foliage and some doesn't. About the only thing I'm sure about are the blue cornflowers aka bachelor's buttons (my favorite annual).
Beautiful picture and beautiful post!
Sorry about the typo in that last comment. I meant to say coneflowers, not "conflowers"! Looks like it's going to be one of those days...
Beautiful scene Lee.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
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