A Glimmer of Hope

Sometimes while scouting around the yard, I notice little oddities camouflaged as I look to the ground. This mushroom caught my eye as a gloomy little creature with melting, morphing skin. As I bent down to take a closer look I saw the tiniest blue flower to the left of this vision... as a glimmer of hope on further inspection.

Flowering Quince

One of the scrappiest little bushes in our yard briefly produces a few of the most beautiful blooms in April. The flowering quince is native to Asia, specifically Japan, and is sometimes referred to as Japonica. However, the term is also used loosely to define other decorative trees and bushes. Regardless of it's name these blooms are exquisite in their soft orange color and I just call them beautiful.

A Perfect Match

As I look at the blue sky behind the young green of the leaves I think back to my childhood. Dressed for school in a blue blouse and green skirt, my mother informed me that my outfit did not match. I wore it anyway and felt my Nature Mother agreed with my choice... these two colors match perfectly.

Desert Resort

During a past business trip in Phoenix AZ, I caught this gentle hill in front of the McDowell Mountains in the distance. The water gave visual refreshment as the temperature was already above 90 degrees in the early morn. I loved the graceful delicacy of these trees and wished I had asked someone what they are. 

A Bloom and a Tear

My pear tree is dying in old age and disease... it no longer bears fruit, it's bark riddled with growth of molded decay. And yet it brought forth the last thoughts of acceptance and beauty as the blooms looks to the heavens...I caught them gazing through a blur of tear.

Sculpture of Tumble

It was a misty day on a quiet Virginia beach when I spotted this tangled sculpture of branches that seemed to have washed up from the sea. At first it looked wet and confused as one who has been tumbled in a wave. As I aimed to shoot the sun poked out... softening the colors into the surreal.

Sweet Magnolia

I love the tender pink and silken petals of the magnolia tree. Though the blooms are short-lived, they are true harbingers of early Spring... leading the way for the explosion of leaf from all the other deciduous trees.

Eye on the Sky

I always have one eye on the sky as the sun rises and sets. As darkness enfolds, the brilliant colors come shining through... enchanting! This sky has delighted as it peeks at me through the star of the branches as a criss cross lens.

Fairyland Path

Deep in the heart of the floodplain lies a magical path surrounded by tiny yellow fairy flowers that enchant a path into the woods, as a nearby stream awaits a spring swelling.

Nestled in Pine

It was a trip to the beach, and yet this tender scene in the parking lot caught my attention. A fallen feather had nestled into the fingered embrace of the pine. It looked so safe and serene in it's wispy sweep as the April winds blew by.

Deer in Silhouette

Sometimes black and white captures a moment without distraction. I was struck by the graceful posing of these deer who came to visit in the snowy yard.  Two stand proud, as one searches the ground for the stray apple that might have been left on the ground under the apple tree. Being cautious by nature the doe in the foreground looks over her shoulder.

An Autumnal Offering

While shuffle-kicking through the crunchy leaves on an Autumn day, I spied this oak who held out it's hands in fiery color... as a welcome to the beauty of the season. The last blush of color grows most vibrant as the coming winter approaches. A gentle reminder that as we move through our own seasons of life, each stage offers it's own beauty... and cause for a passionate inspiration.  

The Big Yawn

I love trees with their gnarly bark and chiseled faces. This beauty made me laugh when I ascribed a big yawn to his old and weather worn face. The leaves seemed to dance and giggle in the wind as the autumn wind blew past. Deep within the open mouth a small face shyly peers out to have it's picture taken. 

Celebrating Snow

In the dead of the night under a softly falling snow, this branch seems to be alive with the joy of play. Arms outstretched I can hear the center twig yell yippee, as the little figure to the left prepares to dive into into darkness.

Silent Flow of Winter

On a cold clear January day, I wander down to the stream and marvel at the colors of blue and rust and brown. Clouds and snow give accent to bank and sky. The bare branches seem to entangle and embrace above the flow of the reflective water. A juxtaposition of the warmth of the sun drenched vegetation and the cold sky above and water below.

Hide and Seek

How tempting to take close up photos of the most beautiful of flowers, the rose. From bud to bloom there is almost never a bad shot. Even out of focus, the metaphor of it's meaning tells a tale. I caught this beauty one summer day.... open in full gory. On close inspection one of the little petals had fallen to the center, obscuring it as a face in profile with tiny tongue licking the tender anthers.

Happy Weeds

I see beauty in the pattern of growth most people overlook... like this weed patch. By manipulating just a little color, look how these tiny weedy flowers smile. They surrounded a telephone pole by the road as I took my walk, and seemed to beckon me to shoot a photo. I'm glad I did. 

The Silent Ripples

It was a sweltering hot day in Phoenix, and yet as I sat by a pond and watched this duck silently glide and preen, I was cooled by the vision. I marveled at the concentric circles created around my feathered friend as he floated unconcerned that I watched in wonder.

Fleurs Des Têtes de Souris

Flowers possess an innocent beauty, in flashes of color and intrigue that cannot be ignored from a distance. On close inspection, each petal or bell has a little story to tell to the child-like mind who can wile and dream. Can you see the little mouse heads with dainty whiskers looking downward from these beautiful blooms? They seem to be sniffing their admiring visitor... which gladdens my heart.

Little Old Alien

Because we live in the illusion of time, everything changes with age. If we can suspend our fear of this process and celebrate the change, how much happier we will be. In nature, I see beauty in the the tiniest sprout of new growth, as well as the beauty of decay. I love the morph of this old tree branch that had fallen to the ground into a vision of a little old alien. He will eventually change into decay, but not before I got a chance to enjoy his aging beauty. 

Fiery Sky

There is nothing so astonishing as a beautiful sunset... it has the power to take your breath away. Imagine my delight as I looked out the kitchen window to see the December sky. It was aglow in fiery color as a backdrop to the stark trees and branches. It's no wonder I keep my camera within sight at all times, within minutes this scenic splendor would disappear. 

Pockets for Pine

As we turn our back on winter, I wanted one last glance at the season's snow. These patches, as pockets on the verdant pine display a quiet elegance, if only briefly in the morning sunlight. Gently, the branches cradle the snow and thank it for it's watery nourishment.