Natural Geometry

Anytime you see something in nature with a straight line, it was probably put there by someone. This is more or less what the guide said to her walking group at the 6 Mile Slough Preserve on Saturday. I was sitting in the amphitheater reading a chapter of my book and making some notes in my journal. Before they arrived,  I had already peered out at the floating docks where the turtle and birds rested in the middle of the water. "Nature doesn't make straight lines," she added with a chuckle. And the tour moved passed me on their way down the boardwalk. I'm not sure what specifically the group was observing when she made the comment, but I sat for a few more minutes, pondering her assertion. In the back of my mind I was already prepared to search for lines in nature as I continued my walk. I'm not sure whether it was to find out if her statement was true, or prove it was wrong. Either way, I now had a side mission for my walk through the slough.

It didn't take me long to wonder if her statement had credence. I suppose it depends on how rigidly you define "straight line." Geometrically, it would mean the line or whatever formed the line, would form a 180 degree angle. Maybe she didn't mean geometrically speaking, but then what did she mean? No more than a few feet into the walk I began noticing plenty of straight lines. I didn't have a ruler or a compass to measure exactly, but several convincing examples presented themselves. Like the tall skinny trunks of these trees. Maybe they don't count because of the branches?

How about these tall blades of grass? They seem pretty straight to me. Again, I didn't have a compass so maybe they were slightly off.

More tree trunks, and some of these don't have branches. Straight lines? Maybe trees don't count at all because they have diameter?

Anyway, my geometric scavenger hunt took a different turn, when I started noticing the white splotches on the trees. I used to wonder how or why paint made it's way onto the trees, or how bird droppings could create these flat splashes, seemingly sideways to the flight of birds. But sometime ago during a previous visit, I learned these white splotches are actually lichen. On this walk I noticed how Dr. Seussy they were looking. It was as though the trees were polka dotted, and I thought maybe nature doesn't make sure straight lines, but these lichen certainly seemed to create near perfect circles. Perfect timing for Pi day!

Anyway you slice it (oh that was shameless), my visits to the slough never disappoint. I probably saw more wildlife than I ever had before in a single visit. Here are a couple more snapshots from the day.

Peace.