Shadow Shots: Whirly

When I was a kid, we called maple seeds "whirlybirds" or "helicopters" for the way they spiraled through the air as they fell. These landed on my doormat, which has a sort of whirly pattern of its own. Perhaps a case like calling to like?



  These two reminded of twins, waiting to be born:


Posted for Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Black and White: For Tomorrow

When we're done admiring these acorns - which are huge, by the way, over an inch long - I'll plant them in pots to be tucked into our woods in a few years.  The deer make short work of acorns and seedling trees, so the oaks need a little help to stand their ground. (The spiky pods are from velvetleaf, a big, bad weed. They will definitely not be getting any assistance.)

Posted for The Weekend in Black and White

The Shadow Knows

Happy Halloween!

It's the season for shadows and shades, and you'll find plenty of them at my house - and even more at Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

Shadow Shots: Sweet Willow

This massive old willow casts shifting shadows as its branches dance in the wind. It's located at TreeMendous Fruit farm in Michigan, and it provided a welcome spot to rest a bit after apple picking last weekend.


Posted for Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Sunlight and Shadow

Friday was one of those spectacular, gold-and-blue autumn days that makes life worth living. AND it was my day off. AND I had a new monopod (my first ever) that was just begging to come out and play. So off I went into the woods around the house, hunting for shadows and shirking my housework.

The first shot is the road where I live. That's the beginning of our driveway off to the right. It was taken from the maximum height of the monopod, about six feet up. I like the perspective from up there:




The next one is in the woods between the road and the house. I'm actually standing in the shadows, looking west toward the late afternoon sun. The hazy light cast a magic spell; it felt like walking in a dream.





This last one was near sunset. It is the path behind the house that leads down into the northern woods, a much denser, darker place. By this time the sun was quite low and only touched a few spots here and there.





 I really love the monopod. It's so much easier to carry around than a tripod, and I found it steadied my shots almost as well. If you haven't tried one, I highly recommend it. I found that a polarizing filter worked wonders on the fall colors, too. ( Probably not news to any of you. I know. I'm such a newbie.)

The leaves are falling in earnest now, and they say we have storms coming tonight, so I doubt there will be another opportunity like this until next year. And really, who cares if the laundry didn't get folded, and the place is a bit dusty, and dinner was late?

Posted for Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Shadow Shots: Tribal Fire

Another shot from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, a mysterious one in keeping with the season.

I loved the burners blazing in the night and black silhouettes casting long shadows, looking almost as if a pagan tribe had gathered round a magic fire.

That's the moon up above, and the red haze ... probably just camera flare. Or maybe a passing spirit?

It's always shadowy at HeyHarriet's. Stop by and see. You may want to bring a flashlight.

Tuesday: Ruby Red and Golden Glory

Seeing as how my Halloween decorations are still buried under a load of stuff to be moved, I'm going to be about a week late with that one. Meanwhile, I still have lots o' leaves to show off -- and it looks like they'll be gone by next time, given how fast they're falling.

If you're up for more fall color, there's a walk in the autumn woods going on over at Havenwood, and you're invited to come along. The door's always open there, so don't be shy.

The rest of the Ruby Tuesday tribe can be found at theteach's place, Work of the Poet. Also an excellent place to hang out.

Ruby Tuesday: First Reds

"Sorrow and the scarlet leaf, sad thoughts and sunny weather; Ah me! This glory and this grief agree not well together!" -- Thomas Parsons, A Song for September



The pasture fence catches the first scattering of red leaves. They'll be falling fast, now that the nights have grown cold.

Sassafrass glows like stained glass in the sun. From another angle, a turtle face appears in profile, practicing his jack-0-lantern smile for Halloween. (Click photos to enlarge.)



There's a whole lotta red going on this week for Ruby Tuesday in the Fall. Check out the link, or you'll miss out!