The Green Man

Do you see that face? It's no trick. I found that laughing face embedded in the side of an old tree at Island Lake State Recreation Area. I've told you before that I find some strange things on my adventures. This might be one of the strangest of all.

It seems as if I have found an old mythical creature this time. A Green Man, a Tree Spirit, or a Dryad. They are all similar beings. I guess this one would mostly fit the identification of a Green Man. I've been to this place a few times now, and the face is always there laughing at me.

He never talks to me, but maybe that's because he isn't in much of a condition to say much anymore. The tree doesn't look to be alive now, but maybe that face isn't laughing at me at all. Maybe what it's laughing at is death. Death always gets the last laugh though.

This is the tree from the distance I see it every time I go there. The face is still there. It never goes away, no matter what distance or angle you stand from it. I've seen pictures where somebody would shape a tree or put a mold on it so it would grow to a shape they wanted, but this looks completely natural. That face is the real face of the tree.

There are stories and legends of the Green Man from all over the world. Those stories come in many forms. A lot of you know of one of these stories from your part of the world. If you do a quick web search you might find out quite a few interesting things about this guy.

From the things I've read, the Green Man is a symbol of rebirth. It couldn't be more appropriate than it is here. I first found him at the beginning of spring, right before the leaves came back to the forest. I've watched as the leaves grow all around him. There is also some green right in his face. Hopefully that rebirth is also meant for him.

I've seen a lot of strange things since I began my everyday adventures. Have you ever seen anything like this? Or have you ever seen something so strange when you were out enjoying nature? Tell me about it. I'm sure everybody would love to read about it.


Nature Center Magazine - The subject for our Free Wallpaper today is Dandelion.