Spring Thoughts

This spring will be spent waiting.  The bursts of color from the flowers, the popping buds on the trees, and the birdsong floating on the air all shout their message of newness and joy to my heart.  This day was spent with Fernando at The Morton Arboretum, since where else would I find so much color and spring?

The daffodils covered the field, as they do each spring.  I never knew there were so many varieties; I tried to capture them all.

Walking down one of the paths on the west side, we encountered the early mayapples!  Their umbrellas were just opening.

I love the redbuds with their beautiful little blossoms.

This was my first time capturing the waterfall from below.

I love trying to capture texture, as in this photo of standing water, twigs, and pieces of tree.

And oh, the glorious meadow with all its bright beauty!

Yellow magnolias.

Sometimes, and especially in spring when there's so much beauty and color surrounding me, I have to dig to see the special.  I have to get down on the ground, just lie there with my camera, turn to the side, to see something beyond the ground cover.  Pretty little white flowers, sweetspire (some call it lily of the valley), blossoming where no one looks, where no one even bothers to search.  Most don't even know it's there.  But I do, and so I lay down and search, then snap.

Hidden treasure.

Back to life,
Christine

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Signs of Spring

On a beautifully warm late morning, just before I went in to work today, I had the chance to drive up to The Morton Arboretum with my camera and macro lens to find some signs of spring.  I was hoping for some color, and I was not dissapointed.

Blue catmint.

Various trees were budding and almost ready to blossom, and even though I had only a short amount of time, I was able to spot the buds.

It was almost high noon, with bright sun, so it wasn't the best time to take pictures.  However, I did find some good angles, and of course, when I spotted things pushing up through the winter ground, I just had to capture them!!

I love the fuzzy buds on the trees--I think they're magnolias.

This photo of a leaf is one of my favorites, even without any color.  I love how the sun is illuminating the edges and causing the shadows on the inside of the cur.  I love the waves along the edge, too.

Yellow!  It almost hurt the eyes, it was so bright.

The Lenten roses were blooming, too, just in time for Easter in a few weeks' time.  I had to lie down on the ground to capture the little flowers, but it was worth it.

And, finally, daffodils, one of the most iconic signs of spring, just blooming alongside the road, just a small clump, but enough to let us all know that spring is almost here.

Back to life,
Christine

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Dad and Mom

November 3.

Next, it was Dad's and Mom's turn for portraits.  They were willing to go on the two-mile walk to find some good portrait locations, so away we walked.

This first photo is their favorite, and will make an appearance on their Christmas cards.

Of course I took some photos of whatever happened to catch my eye as we walked.

It was still very colorful along Loop 4.

I put my long lens on and captured a few more images.

The sun shining through yellow leaves.

It was a good day.


Back to life,
Christine

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You and Me

October 31.

I love that Fernando tells me, Go grab your camera and let's go for a walk.  So back to the Arboretum we went.

I love that you are awed by the colors of autumn, just like I am.

I love that you stop when I stop, and that you carry my tripod for me and get it ready so I can capture scenes such as this.

I love that you willingly pose for portraits with me; these moments are so precious to me!  So few couples get their pictures taken together.  I'm glad you do this for me, so we can have memories in photos that will last.

And, I'm thankful for a remote shutter release!!  And that I remembered to bring it!

I know you're always willing to pose for a kiss.  I love this photo!

Thanks for the day spent together.  Thanks for posing with me, and letting me boss you around for photos.  I love you.


Back to life,
Christine

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Walking the Path

End of October.

A day off afforded me the opportunity to walk in the woods again.  I really don't have words today, so I'll just leave these photos here for you to enjoy.

Sometimes it's just easier to walk and let my mind wander.  Just walk and look around, and see things through the camera lens of my eye, then hold my camera up and capture that scene, that thing I see, the frame and the canvas through my eyes.

Even in death, nature can be beautiful, the browns and grays twisted together against a backdrop of colored spots and leaves.

Leaves--green, yellow, red.  They've served their purpose and have fallen to the ground to become part of something bigger, to change and continue to serve a new purpose.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring for me, as I stare down at the leaves at my feet.

I love to pause before entering the spruce grove, and take in the scene as those magnificent trees welcome me.  I know it'll be quiet inside, a hint of breeze, softly swaying trunks.  I love the silence of the grove.

And I love this tree, out on its own, just standing there bursting with color.

Help me stand, Lord.  Help me walk.


Back to life,
Christine

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