©Meandering Passage - Earl Moore Photography

“Out of damp and gloomy days, out of solitude, out of loveless words directed at us, conclusions grow up in us like fungus: one morning they are there, we know not how, and they gaze upon us, morose and gray. Woe to the thinker who is not the gardener but only the soil of the plants that grow in him.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

There’s many sowers of doom and gloom out there and lots of people who listen without thinking or doing the weeding an astute “gardener” of one’s mind must do.

A great benefit of an early morning walk, or any walk, is it provides a time for “weeding the mind.”  Our dog Maggie loves our morning walks…I love the inner process which takes place during them.


This image is Turkey Tail Fungus found beside a forest trail on the side of a fallen and decaying tree trunk.  Rain helped to increase the color saturation in this case.

10 Comments

  1. Very nice combination of shapes and textures Earl. At first I couldn’t figure out the perspective then I realized it was pretty obvious! :)

    There’s no question that getting outside like you do in the morning is great for the mind and soul.

    • Tom, I guess the mind does go vertical as being the more normal position for some parts of this composition. However, you probably quickly came to realize this was shot looking straight down on the scene. Thanks! :-)

  2. Yes, you and Maggie need those morning walks for mental and well as physical health. Can you imagine what our world would be like if we “all” took morning walks and not in our favorite health club but in nature. I personally feel we sometimes need to be cold and wet from a rain shower or snowfall for the process of weeding to take place.

    I find it interesting that they call them turkey fungus. We do not have them out this way but I did see them back in Ohio when I lived there. Most of the fungus which is internal to the logs or trees while the feather part is like a flower. I also wonder if the ringlets are sign of its age.

    • Monte, I’m aways glad once I’m walking but to be honest there are mornings Maggie has to almost drag me out into the cold. That connection to the elements does make one feel alive doesn’t it! :-)

      The naming obviously comes from the fan shapes of the fungus similar to a turkey’s tail feathers. I don’t believe the “ringlets” are any indicator of age but I could be wrong — I’m certainly not a Turkey Fungus expert.

      Thanks.

  3. The textures and colors really make this photo!

    • Hi Jim, Rain the night before was like a natural saturation and contrast boost for this scene — part of what caught my attention. I’m sure I’ve walked by before without much notice.
      Thanks!

  4. Those quiet mornings are most certainly good for ‘weeding’. I like that terminology. It’s very much apropos!

  5. What a wonderful image – I love the almost geometrical arrangement of these beautiful organic shapes. The different textures and colours are outstanding. You have a wonderful eye for those little treasures in nature. And I love the accompanying quote by Nietzsche.