Tracery? Hmmm..... Sometimes her words are quite challenging.
Tracery's an architectural word, the definition being:
- Ornamental stone openwork, typically in the upper part of a Gothic window.
- A delicate branching pattern.
Well, I don't have any gothic windows in my garden. But I did see this the other day which reminded me of stained glass:
Before I had a chance to look up what I thought was a butterfly, Cynthia of On a Hays County Hill identified it as an Eight-spotter Forester moth (Alypia octomaculata). A moth! Not a butterfly. A moth that is frequently seen during the day.
Like this Hummingbird Clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe), that is also often seen during the day:
What does this have to do with tracery?
Well, as I was noticing the Eight-spotted Forester's wings, and the beautiful (although hard to see) pattern on the clearwing hummingbird moth, I realized there was tracery everywhere in the garden.
In every butterfly:
In the smallest of blooms:
Even foliage:
Tracery
Tracery
Tracery
I couldn't stop seeing it, once I had started!
Man-made tracery may be pretty.
But nothing compares to the intricate patterns and beauty of nature.
I guess that's why God is often called the Great Architect.
Look for tracery in your garden. I guarantee you'll see it.
What a lovely post! You have special eyes and a very special spirit
ReplyDeleteSeeing all the tiny details in their design made everything alive seem a bit more special. So often we forget to really look closely at the beauty of nature.
DeleteIt's amazing the many different ways we can see the paintings by the hand of God. Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI rarely talk about God in my posts, but it was apparent to me that these were all painted by God.
DeleteHolley it was amazing once your eyes opened to it...I couldn't stop seeing it and loving it...wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteGlad you saw it, too. It was like a revelation to me.
DeleteWhat a great word choice! Yes you could see the tracery in all your photos. I love it!
ReplyDeleteDonna always comes up with great words. Challenging sometimes, but always fun to relate to the garden.
DeleteMan only copies what God has already done in Creation. Very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd that is tracery! All those patterns on those Gothic windows are just simple copies of complex natural patterns.
DeleteYou amaze me Holley! What a great interpretation and wonderful photos. If I'm being homest then ... I didn't know what this word meant. I'll never forget it now. Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteI once worked for an architect, and he specialized in churches - but still, I had to look up this word. I don't remember ever really using this word, even back then. I love learning new vocabulary!
DeleteI enjoyed your illustration of tracery...butterflies are an excellent example. And all your other examples bring out the beauty of lines and designs in nature.
ReplyDeleteButterflies are probably the easiest illustration of tracery to find. But I might not have seen it elsewhere if I hadn't started there.
DeleteHaha good job. Tracery. Learn something new every day.
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet you see and remember tracery in your garden, too!
DeleteBeautiful examples Holley. You are so right, tracery is all around, it just takes seeing it in a new light. Literally, as light passes through and illuminates the 'panels between the ribs' in nature or passes through the a man-made or plant filigree.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the additional explanation. Of those I've shown, I guess the hummingbird moth would be the best example of that.
DeleteHi Holley, I have also been contributing to Donna's meme, and yes her challenges are lovely to comply as it brings us wonderful information, even if sometimes really "challenging". Now, we will always think of tracery everywhere. But i really love your tracery photos in this post especially the crocus and leaf patterns.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Andrea! I really like the challenges because I learn so much, and I get the see the garden in a different way than I would otherwise. That's really a gift!
DeleteNothing compares indeed to the intricate pattern created by nature :) Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteIf you look closely, it's truly amazing all the patterns in nature. Such beauty right before our eyes!
DeleteWhat a great way to get close and look at the beauty around you in a new way. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI always think of plants and bees, butterflies and blooms as beautiful. But now I'll notice their pattern, not just the color and texture.
Deleteinteresting post. Never thought of my garden as tracery. a brand new perspective.
ReplyDeleteI hope you see tracery in your garden, too!
DeleteSuper examples. It is true, once you start looking you really find everywhere~!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't stop seeing it! I was amazed I had never really noticed it before.
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