Kip’s Comments - February 24, 2024

The Old Adage

True, absolutely true… the old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” was so true today.

I would guess for most viewers of this photo there simply won’t be much to be excited about. For me the thoughts just began to flow when I recorded this image. Put into words, the image has generated a book worth of memories and aspirations.

Much too long ago I hiked the many miles of isle Royale National Park. Much of my time trekking across the isolated island was alone - just me and my thoughts. In the lower, the wetter, the mosquito infested areas, I walked on boardwalk paths through extensive patches of skunk cabbage interrupted by water-filled moose tracks in soggy mud. Back when I made those hikes I did not realize the impact such an unassuming plant might have on me. Since the bugs were usually hungry and attacking aggressively, I didn’t even slow down. In fact, I probably sped up my pace to escape the bloodletting.

Looking forward, if or when I again find myself in the midst of a sizeable grouping of skunk cabbage, you can bet I will take off my pack, put on my bug net, and soak in the atmosphere as long as possible. I need to…

This one skunk cabbage plant photographed from this angle did it to me. I am ready to go!

Skunk Cabbage - Image 866939