lloydslensphotographyllc

Easter 2020

Hello friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Easter Lilies 32120” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

Certainly Easter Sunday 2020 will live in our memories for a long time. Up until now, I have purposefully avoided talking about Covid 19 on my blog. I’ve done so because I wanted my photos and stories to be a place where people can escape the major concerns of the day and find some peace of mind. But tonight I feel the need to acknowledge the world situation. Tonight, Christian people from all over the world find themselves facing the reality that the cherished tradition of a sunrise service on Easter Sunday is distributed. There will be live broadcasts on social media and we’ll make the best of the situation but it won’t really be the same. In short, We’re having a “Day 2 experience”.

When Christians celebrate the passion of Christ we talk about the crucifixion and we rejoice the Resurrection. However, we don’t really seem to give much thought to the day between these two events.

Day 2 had to be the darkest day in Christianity. The Messiah had been publicly executed and sealed in a tomb. He was betrayed by one of his own. His followers including the 12 disciples had been scattered and were in hiding. For all they knew the soldiers would come for them next. And, this all occurred in the middle of a disaster. The bible says that when Jesus died the sky turned black and the earth shook.

Today, we have this pandemic that will keep most of us secluded. We hide our faces when we go out. We’re threatened with forced quarantine if we assemble together. It is indeed a dark day in history… But just wait. Day 3 is near. On day 3 we get the greatest miracle of them all. The Light returns. The Light that is the life of all men.

When we read the biblical account day 3 is somber at first but it ends in joy. And so this Easter I want to encourage you to be strong of heart. The season of darkness and the sickness that plagues us is coming to a close. Our lives will change and it’s likely that we’ll have to deal with aftermath but eventually that too will pass. We have God’s promise that the end will be better than the beginning so we can look forward and live in hope that He will perform what He promised.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

Hello Friends and thank you for your support of my page. If you have enjoyed the photos or the writings please let me know by commenting and sharing my work on your social media. I also want to invite you to Follow Lloyds Lens Photography on Facebook

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Forage Friday #53 Mayapple

Color Photography, Forage Friday

Hello friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Mayapple 33020a”. Tonight’s photos were taken just for Forage Friday. All of the photos on my blog are my original work and are available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

Tonight’s Forage Friday post is a plant that has been known to cause fatalities. While extracts from Mayapple are used in modern pharmaceutical preparations this one is definitely not for home remedies.

In early Spring one of the first green plants to burst through the leaf litter is the Mayapple. The only edible part is the fully ripe fruit and even then the seeds must be removed. Something that I have never tried because as soon as they ripen the wildlife snatches them up. In fact I’ve only seen the ripe fruit once in my life and it had already been nibbled. So no Mayapple taste tests for me.

“Mayapple 32420”

When the shoots first come up the twin leaves are wrapped around the stem and the marble sized flower bud has already formed. They’ve always reminded me of the stereotype vampire wrapped in a cloak at this point.

In the past I’ve mentioned that some plants may not be good as forage for food but that they are a more of wild cash crop and that’s where Mayapple comes in on my forage plant list. The plant contains a cytostatic substance called Podophyllotoxin that was once part of a drug that was used topically to remove warts. But because it is a substance that inhibits cell growth it’s being researched for possible use in treating cancers. If you can locate a buyer they usually buy it by the pound. The top search result on Google comes from August of 2019 and shows $4.00/lbs. Ginseng normally goes for around $600 to $800/lbs and at first it sounds like a low price for Mayapple but when look at the time and energy invested in harvest Mayapple pays off in the lbs/hr.

An emerging colony of Mayapple

Mayapple grows in large colonies that at times can cover the whole mountainside with lush green foliage. Whereas Ginseng is more commonly found as a single plant here and there. So when you figure the time investment Ginseng might not even pay minimum wage.

A colony of Mayapple almost ready to bloom.

Mayapple grows from a long thin rhizome. What looks like a colony might actually be single plant. The vine-like root system is connected with the rest of the forest by mycorrhizal fungus that transports nutrients to the roots and even may carry chemical messages between the herbaceous layer and the trees towering above. (For more about how plants talk to each other check out this article on LingQ)

If you choose to make Mayapple into cash crop it’s this root that the buyers want. Some will buy it freshly dug but most want it cleaned up and dried. Always wash the roots in cold water and hang them up to dry out of direct sunlight and with plenty of air flow to avoid mold from forming. It’s common for this type of root to lose 7 times it’s harvest mass in the drying process. When the root is brittle enough to snap without bending it’s done. A preservation tip is to store it in paper and not plastic. It needs to breathe to prevent mold. If you think about the bagged salad from the grocery store it usually gets slimy after a few days and that’s what’s going on happen to Mayapple roots if you put them in plastic. ( A great idea that works to keep salad fresh is to place a paper towel or napkin in the bag. )

Timing is also important for harvesting Mayapple roots. Most buyers will want roots that were harvested in September and October because that’s when it’s most potent.

Native Americans used Mayapple for various treatments but it’s just too toxic for me to be comfortable with. But as a way to gain a little extra spending money it can be a great natural resource.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

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https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

Napping Violet

Color Photography, Uncategorized

Violet didn’t feel particularly blue today. In fact she was her cheerful sunny self. However, being a bright personality all the time was hard work and even though she hadn’t left her bed all day she was tired. So she laid down for a nap. The small twig on the forest floor made a perfect pillow for her head. Her life was simple and yet wild at the same time. In the past she had considered a move away from the mountains but her roots were just too deep here. No, she would stay where she was planted. After all, it was her perennial duty to bring joy to that spot every year. She didn’t even mind living in the shady part of the forest.

When we think about violets we have a tendency to think that violets are always blue. Well, the ones that are deeper in the forest are yellow. The ones that occur in my little forest sanctuary have smooth leaves but the yellow violets are known for having fuzzy leaves. They have two types of flowers. Chasmogamous ( Latin for open marriage) flowers in the early Spring. These flowers exchange pollen with other plants but later in the summer this violet will produce cleistogamous flowers without pedals or scent. These second blooms will self pollinate and produce a natural clone of the parent plant.

The yellow violets are sometimes mistaken for pansies but pansies have 4 pedals that point up where violets only have 2 upward pointing pedals.

When I saw the one in tonight’s feature image it looked so much like it was resting that I couldn’t help but write about the things that a sleepy violet might be thinking about.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤

An Explosion Of Redbud

Color Photography

Hello friends! Tonight’s feature image is “Redbud 4720a” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

My morning starts with the roll of thunder echoing through my mountains. Then the sound of rain beating on the roof. The Spring storm lulls me back to into a deep sleep until the songbirds come out and give the all clear. Once I was certain that things had dried up enough I stepped out of the door and into a world of beautiful colors. One of the most awaited sights of my Appalachian Mountains is the Redbud and today it’s in peak bloom.

The Redbud across from my front door is in full bloom. ( Image Titled “Redbud In Full Bloom 4720)

The mountain road that runs by my house is lined with Redbud which is a double blessing under lockdown conditions. I decided to get some sun and fresh air by taking my lens a little closer to beautiful trees.

These early blooms are a God send for the hungry honeybees that have been living on their stores since November. The solitary bees are out in force as well and open flowers have even brought out the butterflies.

The first Zebra Swallowtail of 2020 has made an appearance.

A Zebra Swallowtail darts over the road but refused to be still long enough for a good photo.

Redbud blooms are edible and rich in Vitamin C as well protein. For more about Redbud as a forage plant please refer to Forage Friday #3

The trees are absolutely loaded with delicate pink flowers. The pea-like flowers burst directly from the branches and sometimes the trunk.

Redbud 4720e — Image Titled “Redbud 4720d”

The flowers won’t last long. Soon after the leaves form the flowers will fall away and leave the forest floor covered in pink confetti. But by mid summer these trees will be sporting bean pods. (The young pods are edible. Please see the link above. )

For now my mountain is in the pink and I’m loving every minute of it.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

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If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

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https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

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Red Trilliums And The Blessed Light

Uncategorized

Appalachian Red Trillium 4220a — Hello friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Appalachian Red Trillium 4220” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The afternoon sun brings a gentle warmth to my mountain as I stroll through the growing grass. Several robins take flight whistling their alarms as I pass the tree in my yard that holds the feeders. The violets are almost as think as the grass and it’s becoming obvious that I need to tune up my mower soon. I come to the spot that has become my forest sanctuary to see what the mountain has to present me with today. The mountain does not disappoint me. The beautiful Red Trilliums have sprung up overnight.

Also known as Wake Robin, Bethroot, Toad Shade and Stinking Benjamin, the Red Trillium is one of our most showy Appalachian Wildflowers. It’s arrival always coincides with the Robins preparing for the breeding season. It’s certainly possible that we’ll have a killing frost after these open and I’ve even seen snow on Easter Sunday but it’s not likely. It’s a significant marker on my natural calendar when these beautiful flowers carpet the shady places on the mountains.

The shape of the flowers always reminds me of a Star Of David. One triangle points up and another one points down. The symbolism was always explained to me as payers going up and blessings coming down. In fact the whole plant seems to be based on triangles. There’s even 3 leaves to a plant.

Image Titled “Red Trillium 4220b” shows that plant has 3 leaves.

Looking up the mountains and across my landscape certainly makes me feel like I’m blessed. The light that I’ve prayed for since October has arrived and is growing stronger every day. Light is the element of cleansing, renewal and rebirth. And the Red Trillium is one more sign of that taking place.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

https://youtu.be/FDcrY6w8oY8

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

Thank you again for your support of my page!❤