The Old Round Church In Richmond, Vermont

The Old Round Church In Richmond

The Old Round Church In Richmond, Vermont With Fall Afternoon Shadows

The Old Round Church, was built in 1812-13 under the direction of local craftsman William Rhodes to be the Town Meeting Hall and place of worship for members of five Protestant denominations. Significant for its rare design and well-preserved detail, it is perhaps the sole surviving example of an early 19th-century 16-sided wooden meetinghouse. Today it is open to the public during the summer and fall foliage seasons (10-4 daily) and is a venue for weddings and community programs.

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Thanks for your visits, favs and comments. As always, appreciated very much!

© all rights reserved by Elise T. Marks. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.

On The Rocks Or Ode To An Inchworm

On The Rocks or Ode To An Inchworm

As I sprawl in the sun on these rocks,

that echo the coolness of the icy water around them.

Like a lizard absorbing the heat,

Lazily watching a glowing green inchworm

traveling across this stoney surface,

Inching it's way around and over crisp autumn leaves,

Strewn in it's path. 

Like a tightrope walker balancing 

on the razors edge of a leaf.

Onward to the next surface,

Climbing the mossy slope,

to then dangle off the ledge.

Then turning and moving on,

To where?

I'm not sure that even the inchworm knows.

Perhaps the journey is fascinating,

Regardless of the destination.

Travel well

While I bask in the beauty of this sunny afternoon.

Lulled by the sound of water flowing by

On this lovely mountain stream.

As colorful leaves rain slowly down around me,

All I can think is, 

Can I live here?

Because I never want to leave.

By Elise T. Marks © 10-5-2023

My photographs are available for purchase through EliseCreations.net

Thanks for your visits, favs and comments. As always, appreciated very much!

© all rights reserved by Elise T. Marks. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.

Painted Turtles

Painted On Green Shadow Of A Painted Turtle On Wood In A Pond Full Of Duckweed.

The painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) is the most widespread native turtle of North America. In the wild, painted turtles are omnivorous-they eat fish, insects, plants, fruit, carrion, and anything else they find. Painted turtles sleep underwater, buried in the sand or mud at the bottom of their habitat. They can breathe air and also absorb oxygen in water. Painted turtles do not have teeth. They have a hard beak that allows them to chew, but they prefer to swallow their food whole. A painted turtle shell is made of bone and is connected to the spine and ribs. The shell of a painted turtles is made up of 13 separate bone plates called scutes. When the turtle grows, it sheds the outermost layer of these scutes and grows new, larger plates underneath. The age of a turtle can be determined by counting the rings on the scutes; every time the turtle sheds an old scute, the new scute has another ring around its outer edge, giving it the same ringed look of a cross section of a tree. Turtles have no vocal chords, but they can sometimes make hissing sounds.
       Duckweed, or water lens, are flowering aquatic plants which float on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water and wetlands. Also known as "bayroot", Duckweed is an important high-protein food source for waterfowl and also is eaten by humans in some parts of Southeast Asia. The tiny plants provide cover for many aquatic species. Duckweed is being touted as a miracle plant for many reasons including: Cost effective renewable energy, biofuel Water filter, Mosquito prevention, Prevents algae growth, Reduces evaporation on bodies of water, Virtually free animal feed, Food for humans.

Painted Turtle On Wood In A Pond Full Of Duckweed

Turtles and their reflections at Indian Brook Reservoir.

My photographs are available for purchase through EliseCreations.net

Thanks for your visits, favs and comments. As always, appreciated very much!

© all rights reserved by Elise T. Marks. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.

Autumn In Vermont 2023

A Touch Of Fall reflections at Indian Brook Reservoir

Fall Flowers And A Lovely Barn
So this year, the most colorful fall foliage around here is these flowers. Perhaps fall is later than some people and flowers think it is.

My photographs are available for purchase through EliseCreations.net

Thanks for your visits, favs and comments. As always, appreciated very much!

© all rights reserved by Elise T. Marks. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission.