Anne invites us to feature photos “where texture plays an integral part.” Sometimes I take a photo of something that others might walk right past. When I ask myself why, one of the answers that comes back is that the texture attracts me. I’m especially fond of contrasting surfaces, like soft on prickly or smooth next to rough.

Above, a single downy white feather was caught in the embrace of a rough-leafed plant. Below, the shell on this mature Brown Garden Snail (aka: European brown snail, Petit-gris, escargot, or Helix aspersa) caught my eye first. While cropping the photo, I was pleased by the distinct contrasts in the surface of the shell, the snail body, and the macadam and pine needles it was slowly traversing.

Above, Turkey Tail mushrooms were living on the stump of a tree that had been cut down. Their color and texture stopped me in my tracks! Rough ruffled edges are very different from the smooth surface of the white Amanita mushroom below.

18 Grey Whales have been found washed-up on the beaches of Oregon and Washington this spring, as they migrated from Mexico on their way to Alaska. One is on the beach not far from our Long Beach, WA condominium.

Necropsies indicate the whales are dying from starvation due to climate change. The photo above is from a Grey Whale that washed ashore near here in May 2019. I was fascinated by the texture of its baleen.

Above, at the edge of Orcas Island, Washington small rocks, hard and severe, emerge from a large bolder. Below, a delicate Monarch butterfly sips nectar from a tender flower. Both images illustrate the dramatic scope of textures around us on this beautiful planet Earth. It is up to us to respect and nurture her.

Thanks to Anne for this opportunity to feature some shots that rarely get to be in the spotlight!

On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾