Spring is a macro photographer’s paradise. The woods…trees…plants…path…provide the stage. Buds…leaves…flowers…debut as actors. This new leaf posed for me during a recent late afternoon walk. The stage lighting was perfect.
I really think it called out, highlighted in the sun as it was. Look at me!
Happy Monday!
Cee’s Flower of the Day
These Callery Pear Trees border one side of the road near my home. Their flowering stage only lasts a few weeks (at most). It’s one of those photographic opportunities that can’t be put off…and this year I didn’t procrastinate.
At day’s end they almost glow.
I went for a walk in the woods yesterday to mark the first day of Spring with a few photographs. A thick layer of wet leaves covered the trail, along with puddles left over from the recent rains and melting snow. It was mostly overcast with a few peeks of late afternoon sun. Not too much was going on Spring-wise unless you stopped and looked close, which happens to be my favorite method of discovery.
Pricker bush branches never seem to take the winter off, so once I carefully moved those out of the way (ouch!), I spotted long spindly branches showing off pinkish buds. Aha! There it was…a sure sign of Spring.
Another sign of Spring? The tick who hitchhiked a ride home with me. Fortunately I captured it before it scurried all the way up my leg.
A pair of buds…or perhaps really 2 pairs of buds…greeted me on a bright and breezy day last week. As I went out the back door of my building I noticed a bush…now sprouting buds everywhere on its spindly branches. I have no idea what name this bush goes by, but no matter. And for some reason I’m now reminded of that old Pac Man video game…however I digress.
I gratefully welcome yet another sign of Spring.
BeckyB’s BrightSquare Challenge
In my part of the world Spring arrives in 19 days. I don’t know about you, but I’m (very) impatiently waiting for the change of seasons…more so this year than in the past. I am excited for buds and blossoms…and color!
I searched the archives and found this shot from last April…which, in the meantime, will have to suffice.
BeckyB JulySquares: Perspectives
Signs of budding life and blue sky greeted me one May afternoon last year.
The day already offering a bit of warmth as I looked forward to the new season already underway…as I joined the crowd at the town’s annual Music and Arts Festival.
What a difference a year makes.
Lens-Artists Challenge #105: Spring
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Except for the errant March (or April!) snow storm that rears its ugly head here in the US northeast, Spring changes my world from black and white to Color. Remember the scene in The Wizard of Oz? Almost like that.
The dull grays and browns and monochromes begin to fade. Colors start appearing in the tiniest of places. Since I’ve dived into macro photography, I am noticing these hidden gems.
Once Spring bursts onto the landscape full time, technicolor takes over…including my favorites…
And let’s not forget the gardeners among us…who look forward to the long awaited beginning of the growing season.
It’s the time of year to carefully nurture life…from seed to plant. And once the harvest arrives…a welcome addition to the dinner table.
Lens-Artists Challenge #99: Old and New
We look forwarding to seeing your “Old and New” interpretation. It can be the contrast of architecture, fashion, collections, treasures…in one photo or multiple photos.
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My first “old and new” image is a “view from beach towel on sand” photo taken during a solo 7 day vacation in Coronado, California. I was feeling most grateful for the chance to enjoy precious peaceful time away. As I often do, I captured the moment on “film” and one photo highlighted the odd contrast between two very different buildings from very different times.
On the left: the old upscale for-the-tourists (and movie stars and all around famous people) Hotel Del Coronado with its signature red roof. Built in 1887, it has since been designated as a National Historic Landmark. I didn’t stay at the “Del” but enjoyed a meal and a drink at its restaurant. And, of course, I had to check out the gift shop.
To the right – and actually farther off in the distance than it looks – the more modern day high rise apartment buildings. Home to residents and, I imagine, not-so-famous people.
Worlds apart in more ways than one.
My second “old and new” photo originates much closer to home. Once spring appears, my trusty path in the woods…which I have gotten to know well…always reveals a combination of the old and new. But only when I remember to pause and look down.
During a walk last month…I stopped next to these fallen leaves, now old and brown, which had covered the ground with thick layers of crunch. However…they were obviously no match for a glimmer of new growth forcing its way up towards the sun.
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 