beautiful mess, part two (autumn)

255/365: early autumn riot

This image expresses the tangled mess of nature and the absolute profusion of life that exists anywhere the natural world is left undisturbed if even a small space or a limited time. The energy and chaos and intermingling of so many different life forms, colors, textures – to me this is what nature is all about. It’s not an idealized concept of ‘landscape’ but it’s very real. For me, these scenes are full of hope – a testament to the how strong, robust & resilient nature can really be.

see ‘beautiful mess, part one’ here.

junco?

Fortunately Brad and I were having a bird ID dispute on the deck. We just put up the feeder and, while we were at the cabin, the birds discovered it.

Brad claimed they were juncos. I didn’t believe him so I took a really bad picture on his phone. It turned out to be the only shot of the day.

You will notice that there are NO birds in THIS picture. But I’m still happy. I salvaged something and managed to NOT miss a day taking a picture. In spite of myself.

212/365: accidental tree pic

good bones

A favorite tree seen on our daily walks. It happens to be dead. Stark, scraggly, and standing tall against the sky, it was impossible not to notice it in the midst of the lush green woods and marsh. I wouldn’t say it stood out like a sore thumb – I enjoyed the contrast.

210/365: tree skeleton

peachy keen

Simply magical sky the other night. Not the kind that stops traffic. But it should.

204/365: peach-colored sky

i never promised you a rose garden

Everything, all around, is so lush and green. This scene just struck me in its austerity.

I love the contrasting cheer of the bright yellow flowers -a hint of the visual racket outside the frame.

192/365: branches & weeds, lake nokomis

that moment

Sometimes the dog is pulling your arm and you have an art fair in the morning and your son is scooping minnows in the creek, and you’re telling him it’s time to go and then the sunlight comes and hits a big tangle of dead forest undergrowth JUST SO and it all turns into a gestural scribble, a linear sculpture, a study of light & shadow. It’s nothing really. And, yet, it’s full of movement and life and death and struggle and some little bit of grace.

Sometimes all you get is that one moment, that one shot. And then it all keeps moving.

188/365: sunshine on tangle of dead branches

clocked out

After a long, but lovely day at an indoor art fair, I couldn’t wait to experience the perfect, sunny day. I got barefoot as quickly as possible and parked myself on the deck. This was the view overhead.

121/365: backyard canopy

sunny state of mind

Suddenly the forsythia are exploding all over the neighborhood. Like sunshine in flower form they burst forth, spreading warmth and cheer in all directions.

102/365: forsythia

ice out

It is an incredibly spacious feeling when the open water returns. The lake awakens – moving with the wind, reflecting the sky.

84/365: branches, lake nokomis

fly, fly away

I’m guessing that each of us, at one time, has envied the birds. The freedom and grace of their flight. Their security and strength in the midst of thin air. And the way they can be here one moment and, in the next, disappear.

83/365: crow in flight