Raindrops and Atomies

A single leaf seen on the trail into the woods, beaded with raindrops and exuding that delightful slightly astringent fragrance which all maple leaves possess in summer.

In the rain, the wild irises seemed even more vividly coloured, veined with dark burgundy and deep chocolate (or perhaps espresso) against the gold and rich magenta of the petals.

It will be a few weeks until their blooming, but the leaves of the wild crimson lilies on the edge of the western hill were spectacular all on their own, rain dappled and forming complex interwoven patterns of intense blue-green.

Yesterday, I went off in my waterproof gear to capture photos of old oak trees in the rain and found myself completely captivated by other wild elements of the woodland instead, starting with a single maple leaf on the trail into the woods. I came home late in the day with nary a tree on the memory card, but scores of stunning leaves, wet flowers and grasses.

There are no trees here in their entirety this morning, but their smaller elements are present and perfect in every way. There is beauty, and there is much to ponder. The leaves and petals are remarkable creations, but then so are the raindrops to my way of thinking. Each and every drop contains millions of microscopic constellations and universes, and within those in turn are even smaller units or atomies - countless tiny worlds teeming with robust life all around us. How could one ever feel alone in the woods with so much life going on everywhere around her?