Field guide No. 1040
Static octopus among ginkgo leaves
Camouflage with the leaves
A grey octopus lies among yellow ginkgo leaves on pavement. The camouflage has matched the season too closely.
Field noteA grey octopus lies among yellow leaves on pavement. Its camouflage matched the season.
Also possible, also breaking category
Fresh tracksA pale loop of mist winds between pots in a greenhouse. Whatever made it did not ask directions.
Burnt matches sprouting green lifeMatch heads are chemistry, not seed, yet each charred stick is budding while it still smoulders.
Zebra stripes slip to the groundMarkings sliding off like loose tape: hide doesn’t work that way, though nothing here contradicts itself.
Catenary in bloomOverhead wires carry current, not flowers. These have budded and blossomed along their length like an orchard.