Tuesday, April 13, 2010

She was jealous

What do I do during hiking for most of the time? Oh no, this is not a tricky question. The answer is definitely simple.

I spend most of the time watching my step along this tricky jungle trail.

That was why I managed to discover this snail passing by in front of me. As I used to photograph whatever I had met, this mollusc was thus not an exception. The moment I started shooting, I overheard a soft whisper coming from my back suddenly. I tried to search around, but it was in vain.

I was very curious, but not curious enough to keep looking around. I went back to my little snail for a macro dialogue, and I heard the sound again. It was so faint but I managed to listen more this time, "Please take my photo."

I turned back again. I found a flower whispering in the breeze this time. She was jealous. A flower thought she was much more beautiful than the snail. A flower was jealous as I had overlooked her.

It might be due to the darker setting that I had not noticed her at the first time, but her proactiveness had successfully brought herself to the stage.

Once the breeze stopped blowing, everything seemed to resume to normal, and the flower was nothing but just an ordinary flower, just like the pumpkin was no more a coach, the mice were no more those horses, the rat was still a rat and the footmen became lizards again at the final stroke of midnight.

And when I remembered about the snail, it was no more around.

The hiking trail was only a simple hiking trail by now.

39 comments:

George said...

I don't think your hiking trail is ever just 'a simple hiking trail'. While I'm glad the flower finally got your attention, the macros of the snail are wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Wow..that flower has every right to be jealous, with the snail..oh yup!!

Rainfield, you have been tagged, and you can find the info on my blog if you want to play along!

Bengbeng said...

hey. yr writing is getting better n better :)

Diane AZ said...

These extraordinary photos are your reward for paying careful attention during your hike.

Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

The snail was lucky that you discovered her. Too bad the flower was jealous. But hey! I didn't know flowers can speak? Cerok tokun must be alice in wonderland...i must go there someday.

fufu said...

yeah i had a nice hiking last week too... hohoho ops snail?? ages havent seen one already!!

Rick (Ratty) said...

You got very good pictures of the snail and the flower. The snail is very special. It is not often that anyone can find a snail like that.

The Retired One said...

Great shots...loved them!!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Agree with Bengbeng! very interesting read coupled with lovely photos.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I am jealous of your camera, and how good your camera skills are.

Now maybe you will be jealous of all my siblings and nieces and nephews. LOL

Mum and Dad had 9 of us, we live in Australia, Sarawak, Singapore and NZ. So when we travel, we need only to pay for the air ticket.

Most of us are adventurous like you, go to the jungle). A niece just climbed Mt Kinabalu, and a sis is going to lead a goup of students up there. (Only me, I am not so strong but I try.)

P/s when I am tracking, I find if I take out my camera, I am left behind. So I miss a lot of photo opportunities.

Cheers,

Ann

Anonymous said...

Have never thought of photographing snails...so far. I should keep a lookout when I happen to be in the garden or some park the next time. Not easy to find one when you're actively looking for one :)

RNSANE said...

I think everything catches your attention when you are out hiking -
little misses your eye. I love the shots of the snail - and the flower. You add much joy to my life with your beautiful photography.

Harshi said...

That's one gorgeous snail and a pretty lil flower. You know Rain, these are such simple encounters but your impressive wordings make them sound so wonderful and magical.

And yep, it's really important to watch your step cuz you could meet and greet nature's lil folks.. that can easily get squashed otherwise.

wiseacre said...

Now there's something I could beat in a foot race. ...and I know - I leave a bigger slime trail.

rainfield61 said...

George:
When my hiking trail is not just a simple hiking trail, and when a hiker is an adventurer, my readers will be very lucky.

Icy:
That flower has every right to be jealous, with the snail..oh yup!!

Bengbeng/Kirigalpoththa:
Your comment is getting sweeter and sweeter.

Diane:
They are my reward, and your wonders or pots of gold.

Willie:
Some flowers even have mustaches.

fufu:
Yeah, you finally had it after ages.

Ratty:
I always found their empty shells, but seldom the snails. I was fortunate at that moment.

The Retired One:
Thank you.

Ann:
Mount Kinabalu is a very very very beautiful mountain, a very remarkable playground to me.

Mei Teng:
You may not have photographed a living snail, but may try them in a restaurant. They are delicious.

RNSANE:
I do know I manage to add much joy to your life with my photography. Wow, great.

Harumi:
This is only one of my day which I hope it will continue.

wiseacre:
Oh yes?

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

Beautiful macro shot.
and where was the Rabbit? ;)

Joanne Olivieri said...

Rainfield, your photos today are exceptional. Very well done and I would be jealous too, if I were there :)

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

I love the snail... so elegant all stretched out like that. Ours are stubbier, and the shells aren't as glossy. I know why the fancy flower was whispering, but I'll stick with the snail.

Ana Goncalves said...

I think you found the best of both worlds, and what's even better is the difference between both beings in the experience as subjects of a camera shot. I don't tend to do automatic macro zoom shots, as I prefer to get up close to the being and be at one with him or her before my capture. Well with the ones on the ground anyway. The ones up above, I haven't figured out how to climb the tree quick enough to get a shot of them.
Great captures as always and thank you. :)

Ayie said...

the tiny and simple details make your hikinh trail so much special...it's never really just a simple trail at all

VanillaSeven said...

Hope you didn't cooked the snail with butter rainfield :)

Autumn Belle said...

The snail must have been very proud of itself, getting more attention than the flower.

AVCr8teur said...

The flower blooms for you to notice her. Your attention is so much in demand.

rainfield said...

l won't be able to tell stories or read your blog for the next one week. My 90 years old father has passed away.

Rick (Ratty) said...

I'm sorry for the loss of your father, Rainfield. I'll be thinking of you and your family for the next week.

Loshini said...

Beautiful macros of the snail, and am glad the flower caught your attention :)

Unknown said...

A small peaceful conversation.

Ana Goncalves said...

My condolences to you and your father, Rainfield.

Glennis said...

The flower was very beautiful, but then so was the snail in its own way. Glad you spotted both.

Mother Goose said...

My condolences to you and your family at such a sad time. It is not easy to lose a loved one. It has been many years and I still miss my father every day. With the passage of time, the hurt has given way to the happy memories. May your time pass quickly and you progress on to happy memories.

LifeRamblings said...

i don't think i've ever taken a shot of snails before. those are simply gorgeous.

my deepest condolences to you and your family. may your father's soul rest in peace.

Ruthi said...

Those photos are amazing. I love macro shots. They make tiny things monumental. They speak volume literally and figuratively.

Cheryl said...

Wow, I have never seen such a great photo of a snail. I love how you describe everything you see with such wonderful words, I feel almost like I am there as well!

betchai said...

wow, love love your snail pictures Ratty, they are so wonderful to look at, of course, plus your creative capture of the flowers.

JTG (Misalyn) said...

I am so envious of your snail macro shot. Really beautiful Rainfield! The flower has the right to be jealous. Anyway,'she' is beautiful in her own way.

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

Hope you are ok... you usually don't go so long between posts.

Kirigalpoththa said...

My condolences to you and your family at such a sad time.

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

Rainfield- I'm so sorry. Hope you and other family members are supporting each other and celebrating your father's life.

Harshi said...

Really sorry to hear about your father Rain. My deepest sympathies to your and your family.