Fungus Among Us

Even a rainy hike yields beauty and photographic opportunities. I had to catch up with my companions several times after pausing to capture these huge fungal growths along the path. Some expert can tell me whether they should be called mushrooms.

Big as a Moose

When a mama moose looks at you like this, with her calf nearby, you silently give thanks for your 300mm lens--maybe even the presence of others who run more slowly than you.

I can't help but wonder, did Adam call it a moose because it was so big or did "big as a moose" come later? Another chicken-egg conundrum.

"And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof." (Gen. 2:19)

30 Percent Club

The peak of Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley) is often enshrouded by clouds. Visitors are told to expect that it is only visible 30% of the time--that only one in three get to see it on their Alaska trip.

So, when we caught this glimpse upon our arrival in Talkeetna--and gloried in the full extent of 20,310' from a near sea level vantage point--our shutters were clicking incessantly.

I'm more than slightly bemused by human nature, arriving as we do at the smugness of attributing to some superior aspect of our character the reason for our gaining access to such a limited group. Or that it "hardly rained at all" on our vacation. If that isn't the rooster taking credit for the sunrise, I don't know what is. God must smile. Knowingly. Maybe a little sadly.

Rather I should give Him glory for those little glimpses He affords of the marvels of His creative work on this earth; remembering it rains on the just and the unjust--and pray God my conduct may be that of the former.

"Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?...Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?" (Job 38:2, 28)

Treasures of Snow

As slowly as it moves, a glacier is fascinating to watch with its seemingly infinite textures and colors. This one is called Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

 "Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?" (Job 38:22)