trees

beautiful mess, part two (autumn)

255/365: early autumn riot

blog091615_tangled-up-in-autumn

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.

coming attractions

233/365: korean maple, late summer

blog082515_korean-maple-early-fall

In the dog days of summer, there are hints of a new season waiting in the wings. We feel it in the cool of the morning air, the gathering dark of the evening, and the urge to turn on the oven instead of firing up the grill.

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.

blog080415_junkoes212/365: 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.

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210/365: tree skeleton

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.

blog071515_branches&weeds@nokomis192/365: 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.

blog071115_branches188/365: sunshine on tangle of dead branches