Be Still

after Psalm 46

be still and know
speak not at all but hear
strong the wind blows 
be still and know 
that I am near

be still and know
keep eyes both open wide
around I go
it’s always so
I’m by your side

be still and know
behold what is up high
what now I grow
as I bestow
will touch the sky

be still and know
and  hear the blackbird’s trill
and I will show
it where to go
up on the hill

be still and know
that My creation’s all around
a steady flow
some fast some slow
and all abounds

Yesterday I visited the West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve, a 162-acre tract of land in southeast Michigan, 40 miles from Detroit, with walking trails and many trees, mostly of the oak, hickory and black walnut varieties.  It is a home to white-tail deer, foxes, coyotes, weasels, mink, salamanders and frogs, as well as over a hundred species of birds (not right now, however). This park was once also known for it's Great Blue Herons, but they have moved along to new nesting places after a winter storm a few years ago broke down a number of trees housing their rookery. They still live around other lakes nearby.  There are many wetlands within the park, some of which are dry in the summer (vernal ponds), while others drain into a branch of the Rouge River.  Right now, the park is mostly quiet, except for the lovely sound of wind in the trees and an occasional red-winged blackbird.  It's unusually peaceful in this park, as it is a little too early for the sounds of frogs and insects. Leaves are just emerging, so it's getting green, but the greenest things in the preserve right now are the algae-laden ponds. 

It was rather windy at the park, so the trees were swaying, and some were creaking or groaning.

There’s something so calming about the white noise of trees and wind!

The Canada geese swimming in this wetland were silently scooping up the thick, green algal glop that covers most of the pond. Looks like a smoothie!

Narcissus poeticus was also growing everywhere. It is also caled poet's daffodil (how appropriate!), poet's narcissus, pheasant's eye, findern flower_, pinkster lily or nargis. It is in the amaryillis family. This flower was likely introduced here in the 1800’s from Europe, where they are very commonly found. The trilliums that grow in this park are also emerging, but the flowers aren’t out yet.