Pirouetting Autumn

The tree blushed - a rude blast of air

Betrayed a shapely bough.

My saddened heart aware

That nature's clock was chiming.

I froze upon the twelfth

Clanging tone, caught alone, 

Staring at a creaking door -

Left ajar for dancing, coloured Autumn,

Pirouetting in her leaves,

While agitating summer creatures

Backing away resignedly,

Sighing in protracted breves.

I turned; gave company;

We stood together, watching

Summer slowly blow away.

-Mark Slaughter, 2009

Glacier National Park, Montana, US

The concept of a national park system or areas of protected areas in the Solomon Islands, has potential. But unlike the many parks in the US that displaced the original inhabitants, in the Solomons or Pacific for that matter it is not the right model. For any system of protected areas to work, indigenous peoples (with all the complexities that are involved in land tenure) are integral to any success. A few good examples of some sort of progress in terms of this work can be seen in Tetepare, and Kolomobangara. But looking at different models and applying those that may be useful into a local Melanesian and by site context is possible. 

My island home! Solomon Islands

One of the awesome things about my job (if you want to call it a job) is that I get to visit and some of the last most spectacular landscapes and interacting with inspiring beautiful people. Many times, I don't really have to go very far to find these exotic places. Even within the islands I call home, are some of the last wild place left on earth. But more disturbing is the fact that large tracts of these landscapes are being cut. 

New York Botanical Gardens

On a beautiful autumn day I accompanied botanist Myknee Sirikolo from Solomons to the New York Botanical Garden. The herbarium has been receiving specimens from all over the world and holds a catalogue of many of the collections around the world.

Autumn colours were all around. Leaves of the elms tree turning to yellow and ready to fall. Am totally unaware of many plants and flowers. But it's great to at least see such diversity, even within an urban center.

Took a few photographs of some flowering plants and shrubs. For those with a liking in natural history, it's a great place to visit.