nature – Ruth E. Hendricks Photography

Someone Tied a Yellow Ribbon on a Tree To Remember

The gold letters on the yellow ribbon spelled “Cousin”.

Left as a remembrance.

The sign that someone came and put the ribbons there as a tribute touched our hearts even though we didn’t know the person.

Steve and I saw the ribbon on a tree when we were walking in the park. Then we noticed the bench with the memorial plaque right by the tree. We’d not seen it before.

The obituary told how he passed, peacefully under an oak tree in Highland Park, after doing what he loved – hiking. He had a congenital heart condition. So young.

I came home and googled the name and if you click it you can read about his life. Christopher Emmons

The ribbon on the tree, the memorial bench and the message on the plaque, so poignant. Can’t even fathom how much his family misses him.

May 21, 2020 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: Chris Emmons, city scene, cousin, HIghland Park, memorial, nature, neighborhood, oak tree, park bench. tribute, photography, Pittsburgh PA, travel, yellow ribbon 14 Comments

Silent Sunday

My backyard in blossom. Eastern Redbud, Apple blossoms , purple and white Lilacs

May 2, 2020 by Ruth Categories: Garden, Photography, silent SundayTags: apple blossom, Eastern Redbud, flowers, garden, home, lilacs, nature, neighborhood, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, silent Sunday, Spring, weather 28 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

September 3, 2019 by Ruth Categories: Wordless WednesdayTags: city scene, Cleome, flower, mailbox, nature, neighborhood, Pittsburgh PA, plant, postaday, sidewalk, sunset, USPS, wordless wednesday 7 Comments

Two Malachite Butterflies in Two States

“Named in reference to the mineral of the same name, the malachite butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) boasts a brilliant green coloration on its wings.”

Today at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens -the Butterfly Forest -Pittsburgh PA

The Second butterfly was photographed at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens https://www.fpconservatory.org/ in Columbus Ohio just a week ago.

August 25, 2019 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: butterflies, butterfly, butterfly garden, Franklin Park Conservatory, malachite, nature, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, photography, postaday 12 Comments

Silent Sunday

August 3, 2019 by Ruth Categories: silent SundayTags: blossom, buddleia, butterfly, butterfly bush, Children’s Museum Backyard, nature, photography, Pittsburgh, postaday, summer 4 Comments

Lady Slippers, cypripedium reginae, are rare these days. These were seen in the woods at Fallingwater in the Laurel Highlands while on a Landscape Hike with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy on Members’s Day. I was invited to be a guest of Erika’s Uncle Larry, who is an enthusiastic environmentalist, and shared a wonderful day at the Barn at Fallingwater with his family.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypripedium_reginae)

”The WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVANCY protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with CLEAN WATERS and healthy forests, wildlife and NATURAL AREAS for the benefit of present and future generations. The Conservancy creates GREEN SPACES AND GARDENS, contributing to the vitality of our cities and towns, and preserves FALLINGWATER, a symbol of people living in HARMONY WITH NATURE.” From Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Website

https://waterlandlife.org/fallingwater/

May 5, 2019 by Ruth Categories: Garden, PhotographyTags: Bear Run Creek, environment, Fallingwater, flower, Hiling, Lady Slipper, Laurel Highlands, nature, Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania Conservancy, woods 7 Comments

Another Color Photo Appears Black and White

When the outdoor world seems black and white and gray but your photograph is in color. Everyone has had enough of the cold, snow, ice and dark. They’re ready for crocuses and daffodils bursting through the earth, looking for light.

I’ve photographed this tree before. I always like how the snow defines the branches.

March 6, 2019 by Ruth Categories: Pittsburgh Photography, WeatherTags: city park, clouds, HIghland Park, ice, nature, neighborhood, outdoors, photography, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Photography, postaday, snow, tree, weather, winter, winter city scene 21 Comments

Late Afternoon Walk in the Sun

We took a late afternoon walk in the sun today. Penny was excited to take a walk. Maura found a book in the Little Free Library on the corner.

Charlie wore his ski goggles. He held up his baby to show him the fully visible moon.

We cut down the alley and saw some signs of bulbs sprouting through the earth. Charlie looked back to make sure I was coming, too. I was gawking and shooting a few snaps on the phone, capturing the sun we haven’t seen in such a long time. It was chilly in the shade.

We’ve still got to get through the month of March and it’s been known to snow but I could feel a respite from winter today.