Creativity in Nature

Creativity in nature comes in so many different shapes, sizes and colors. 

Sometimes it appears in the most unusual places.

Whether it develops from a cutting, or finds a way to grow around something, 

it has a way of adapting to survive.

(Thanks to Lilly S., one of my favorite former students, and Facebook.com for the photo and story)

Left by a soldier who went to war in 1914 and never returned, 

the tree continued to grow and the bike became part of it.

Adaptability comes in many forms, but sometimes it just comes naturally- 

leading me to believe that Mother Nature has quite a sense of humor.

(Special thanks to Science is Awesome)

Psychotria elata, also known as the Hot Lips plant, 

is a real plant guaranteed to make anyone smile. 

Beware! 

The little ant battalion formed to survived the flooding waters 

of Tropical Storm Isaac has a mighty bite. 

The almost perfect circle of red ants navigate toward higher ground for survival. 

(Thanks @ Julie Garberg)

Some of the most beautiful things are the simplest things, 

like sunrise on the beach during a morning run.

And some of the littlest things are the sweetest.

Munching on a peanut while checking out the surroundings, 

the squirrel became a regular visitor to a vacationing friend. 

Sometimes the squirrel brought a friend and shared the peanut. 

Nature is awesome like that.

(Thanks @ Amazing things in the world)

Marked for life.

The flower-nosed cat. 

Mother Nature strikes again!

Sandhill Cranes enjoying a beautiful, 

sunny day have no problems sharing the bike trail. 

Nature is cool like that. 

When we create an area with sustainability in mind, it benefits nature. 

This site at one time had been a dump. 

The builder purchased the site and incorporated wetlands with passive recreation for the residents. 

Whether it occurs naturally, or we create it by happenstance, 

creativity in nature reminds me of a few basic concepts. 

Maintain simplicity in design, plan for the future through sustainability, 

and always keep a good sense of humor.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, 

under whose shade you do not expect to sit.

                                                                                   - Nelson Henderson