Beyond Day SixMy sometimes-daily blog of a photograph or two with a few words, celebrating all the days of life that flow through creation into perspiration, inspiration, reflection, sabbath, and resurrection. Celebrating FallFall color comes at different times to different places. I've seen photos of autumn color in the Rockies already and we won't see color in the lower elevations of the Smokies until November. Wherever there are trees that change color, one can celebrate autumn. I guess you could also celebrate with cider and pumpkin pie. Oh, and I loved going to the apple orchard near Centralia and buying a dozen of cinnamon doughnuts.
Thin SkinnedFew trees have bark as thin as birch trees. Some layers appear to be no more thick than a sheet of paper. While the trees are beautiful and the bark of several standing together in the sunlight can be an awesome sight, they are often brittle and susceptible to disease. So one can often find trees that have the upper part of the tree completely broken off. Found all over the northern hemisphere, the trees are generally short-lived.
All at the Same TimeIt's not a short trip from Nashville to the shore of Lake Superior. The forests there are resplendent in the fall with color. The season can be short as it seems as if all of the trees have decided to have a group display all at the same time. Makes for wonderful time to walk in the woods and enjoy the crisp air and open your eyes.
Snow in the Higher ElevationsEspecially in the mountains, autumn weather can be quite a mixture. We enjoy visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park in any season. And the autumn colors can be eye-popping. From one of our favorite vantage points one cold morning, we saw the span of color at the lower elevations and snow on the higher mountains with the ever-present fog nestled in the valley. The show is beginning soon.
Reworking the OldI've been trying to improve my ability to process my images, even working on photographs that are older. This one is from the Oregon coast on a trip in May, 2005. The westward wind was driving massive waves into these enormous rock formations and then exploding the spray into the air. Quite a bit of fun!
Rain in the FallI began my college education at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. My intention was to become an aeronautical engineer. Many of my classes were on the other side of campus from where my dorm was. So I walked. And it seemed that it was often raining in the fall when I would go to class. I often got soaked. And the leaves would fall on the sidewalks. Wet leaves. Long walks. And I have learned that cloudy, even wet days, provide great opportunities to take photos of fall color. Especially with wet leaves, it is a good idea to use a polarizer or try to avoid reflections that eill leave "white holes" in your photos.
Further Down RiverIt's the season with cool nights and colorful leaves. Just at the right time, they release from the branches and fall to the earth. Some fall in the streams and float down river. And then occasionally some are caught and held by the force of the water. This is an 8 second exposure, revealing what the eye does not see. Sit still and watch, and there it is.
AuTrain FallsI have a print of this photo hanging on my wall. It reminds me of a favorite spot on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where fall colors are absolutely gorgeous. Cool days like we are experiencing now makes it feel like autumn, even down here in Nashville. We will be heading north in two weeks to visit with friends and enjoy the colors. And probably take some more photos.
EnduranceI am intrigued by this photo. I like it, obviously since I'm sharing it in this blog. But I'm uncertain what to say about it. I have thought to share where this is and the significance of this building, but I don't think that's important. That knowledge doesn't add to one's appreciation of the photo. I do find myself drawn to scenes like this.
Morning at My HouseMorning often begins early at the Hideaway. Moving east 5 years means that dawn come earlier than it has for nearly the last forty years. I don't use the alarm clock in retirement. Besides the early dawn light attempting to shine through the slats of our bedroom blinds, there's the mockingbird that seems to enjoy the crape myrtle trees in the front yard as he greets the morning with a repertoire of brief melodies. And the school bus from the county to the south turns around in the cul-de-sac at 6:30 with the required beeping sound when the driver puts it in reverse. And this time of year, flocks of Canada Geese transfer from one pond to another, honking an encouragement to the youngsters to keep us as they fly in formation. It's good that I am awake before all this starts. And now we have two outdoor cats that wait on the deck and look through the door anticipating that Judy or I will go out into the garage to open a can of food. I make my pot of coffee, with a little more than a cup, and sit in the great room if it's too chilly to sit outside. And this week the sun streams through our front door in a straight line and illuminates the top of our treasure table. And I notice the morning light. And I give thanks, for another day.
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