The Semantics Of Rock-Gathering

Day 144: Let us today consider the semantics of rock-gathering. If I were to tell you that I went rockhounding, you would be correct in assuming that I had gone in pursuit of precious or semi-precious stones, aesthetically-pleasing mineral specimens or other lithic anomalies deemed worthy of collection. Indeed, I am (or was, at least) a rockhound, but at times, I am also a rock-hunter, implying that I seek out rocks suitable for some purpose or another. The most common of these on my list could be termed "cobbles," football-sized or slightly larger, river-worn and of a particular heft. I use them to hold things up. I use them to hold things down. I use them wherever one might need to have a 20-30 pound rock of no particular artistic merit.

With the sun shining and my second dose of COVID vaccine beginning to course through my body, I went rock-hunting, having used the last of my stash to keep my "Black Lives Matter" sign from blowing over in the wind. Given that Murphy is always on the alert for projects such as these, waiting to throw his monkey-wrench into the works, I only had enough for three sides. And Murphy, a worse prankster than Raven or Coyote, sent the winds from the one unguarded quarter. I pencilled "rocks" on the list for my next foray out. I found five which met the criteria, the most important being that they were only a short distance from the car. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty successful hunt.

Crow In A Crannied Nook

Day 188: This shot could just have easily been titled "How I Spent My Lunch Break," i.e., taking a quick trot up Rampart Ridge, an elevation gain of 1200' over 1.7 miles. I ran into snow a few switchbacks above the spot where this photo was taken, but the trail was easy to discern. Pausing briefly at the viewpoint which overlooks Longmire, I then continued on to the top where, on a less cloudy day, a spectacular view of Mount Rainier waits for people who step through a narrow band of trees and onto an outcrop. Today, only a thin slice of the lower Mountain was in evidence. With lead-colored clouds moving in and my office work waiting, I retraced my steps instead of following the ridge to complete the 4.7 mile loop trip, and it was a good thing I did. Only one raindrop touched my face on the hike, but within minutes of the time I got back to the Administration Building, the truth of the weather forecast became "precipitously" evident.

Waldo On The Rocks

Day 340: If Waldo was sitting on your hand, you'd probably describe him as being brown, but once he's in his own element, his patterns and coloration mimic warm grey earthtones and shadows amazingly well. However, when he opens his wings and flies, broad bands of yellow may make you think he's a butterfly.

I've seen more grasshoppers this year than any time in the last decade. When I was young, we would collect them by the dozen, but these days, it's rare that I see more than three or four all summer. I wonder if they are truly in decline, or if their range has simply shifted in response to climate change? Many plants and critters are moving north.