I know these photos are all pretty similar, but I'm hoping that with several views, someone can figure out what this "thing" is. The focus unfortunately isn't great, as I was shooting macro from a kayak on lake water that refused to stay still. I tried grabbing a branch with one hand to steady the kayak for the photos, but I had to hold the camera at strange angles over the water, and anyhow, macro can be a challenge even when I'm not moving!
Let me put the pics in context: yesterday I was paddling around in my kayak on Loon Lake in the Adirondacks. The lake water was rather high, and there was a lot of debris washed into the water - mostly pine needles and branches from the shore. I found this near at the shore in an overgrown shallow area, under overhanging branches. It was probably 2 or 3" in diameter, and almost a yard long, with root-like stuff sticking out of one end. It reminded me of a pineapple type of growth, but I'm sure you realize that pineapples don't grow in Adirondack lakes. I even picked it up and examined it; and that didn't help, though I know for sure it is plant matter of some sort. Later I found two dead bullheads (a catfish-like fish) bloated and floating and I totally freaked when my paddle touched one. My husband looked at these photos (above) and said "You'll touch THAT but not a fish??!!! You DO realize they are in the lake when you are swimming, don't you?" Yeah, dear, but they are not dead and ugly. Bullheads are UGLY fish! Anyhow, here's a few more photos from the lake.
I'm thinking perhaps the feather (more macro) came from a loon..
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** I know this is another non-artsy post, but please don't give up on my blog! I promise to post more art teacher stuff soon.
Love the non-art stuff. Yeah we are art teachers but we have various hobbies too which influence our teaching styles. :) I think that is a closed up pinecone. Love the feather photo too!. Hey, just purchased a new Coleman instant tent. I would LOVE to camp up near your neck of the woods. Have fun and keep on posting!
ReplyDeleteUhhh, a pine cone??? I appreciate the suggestion, and I see how you'd think that, but did you see the SIZE of it?! It was like a log - almost a yard long, and as thick as a fist. That's one heck of a pine cone!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for trying, and yes, the Adirondacks are a great place for camping, hiking, etc.
As long as it's not a parasitic bug we're good:)
ReplyDeleteFirst thing I thought of was a pine cone too. But after reading about the size, I'm not sure anymore. Looks a bit like a part of a palm tree/plant without leaves. Something like this: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-9533369-tropical-palm-tree-with-green-leaves-isolated.php
ReplyDeleteNo clue whatsoever, but it looks interesting. Non-art stuff is okay. We are all more than artists and teachers.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Jacquelien, I know you aren't from the US, but the idea of a tropical palm tree in the Adirondacks is pretty funny! We are definitely NOT tropical. But honestly, I agree, that IS what it looks like.
ReplyDeleteNow, if you look at the picture next to the feather, it looks like a really LONG pine cone. I unfortunately was already out of the kayak and my bathing suit when I saw it, so I didn't scoop it up to see what is is, but maybe it's a relative of the other "thing"?
I love your blog, I am a fifth grade teacher and love to pull ideas from blogs like this to enrich my language arts lesson. I also happen to love kayaking! This is the underwater portion of a plant that is similar to a water lily or lotus, we generally see them in the spring when they break of in storms and float to a new location to put down roots. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteMidteach, THANK YOU!!! That's the first answer that seems to really make sense.
ReplyDeleteIt almost looks like a brussels sprouts stem.
ReplyDelete