STITCH LINES...... Ramblings on life as a quilter, stitcher, traveler, photographer, gardener and lover of books, cats and fine chocolate....

Friday, November 7, 2014

Personal Photo Challenge - Trees

 It's time again for the monthly Personal Photo Challenge. It's been a few months since I've participated so I'm happy to get back to it! It seems I've had little time this fall for photography, other things have kept me occupied, but all fall I had this month's theme of trees on my mind. Both of these shots were taken on the same day, late in the afternoon within minutes of each other. I was tired after a day of teaching a workshop, and just wanted to get on the highway for my 2.5 hour drive home. As I drove out of town towards the highway I spied this tree in a cemetery and knew that I had to pull over to take a few photos.  I do not know what type of tree it is, but if one was trying to make a cemetery look creepy, this would be a good choice of species, don't you think? I boosted the colour saturation just slightly and gave it the dark edges to increase it's "spooky" look. What a great tree and setting this would be on Hallowe'en night if one was setting up a Spooky Walk for children.... This photo was taken in Amherst Nova Scotia.

A very short time later, I pulled off the highway to grab a quick bite for supper, and then treated myself to a cone of icecream. As I drove out of Sackville NB, I passed through the campus of Mount Allison University and this beautiful pond where swans and ducks were feeding. This beautiful maple caught my eye. Again, I quickly pulled over, slung my purse over one shoulder and camera over the other, dripping icecream cone still in hand. You would have laughed to see me trying to get this photo "one-handed" as I tried to find a "clean" spot (free of duck poo) to kneel in the grass...  The student who was taking a brief break from her studies and catching the last rays of late afternoon sun under that glorious maple took me right back to my student days...  I wish the sky had been bluer, the sun hadn't disappeared behind cloud just as I got out of the car, and that blasted pole was not front and centre - these would have improved the photo - but I did the best I could. And I left with only two spots of duck poo on my knee, and melted icecream all over my camera strap... lol

Be sure to visit Donna's Personal Photo Challenge here to see the wonderful creative efforts of other participants.




Peace,
Linda

"Not everybody trusts paintings, but people believe photographs." ~ Ansel Adams

16 comments:

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

So beautiful trees, Linda!
I especially like the one in a cemetery. At least in daylight it doesn't look spooky (sorry! :)), I think it looks like guarding and protecting the graves and those laid to rest there. Thank you for sharing the beautiful views!
Hugs from Sara

PS The quilts of your previous post are just wonderful! It must be challenging to photograph them, also because each of them would deserve many pictures.

Jeito Mineiro de Ser said...

Belas fotos! Parabéns!
Um abraço!

Beautiful photos! Congratulations!
Hugs!
Egléa

Country Gal said...

Lovely photos ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good weekend !

Pamela Gordon said...

Two great tree photos, Linda. The one in the cemetery does give a creepy effect. It looks like an old apple tree but I doubt it would be in such a spot. The campus of Mt.A is beautiful. I enjoyed reading how you got this shot. Photographers will do anything for a photo. :)

Donna said...

I had to laugh about your description of trying to get the shot of the maple tree while juggling an ice cream cone! I have done similar contortions on occasions. Ah, the things we have to do as photographers to get the shot, haha! The cemetery tree is quite a specimen. Perfect setting for it! And that maple tree scene is glorious. The person in the composition adds a sense of scale, and you capture reflections as well in the water. Beautiful! Wonderful job on the challenge, sweetie!

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Spooky indeed! I can see why you could not resist pulling over! :)

Vee said...

Isn't that always the way?! If it's not wires, it's duck poo. You did a wonderful job of looking past all that!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The spooky look is awesome. What a great day for photographing trees...and eating ice cream! Hugs, Diane

Jackie said...

That is definitely the spookiest tree I have ever seen, and that it is living in a cemetery is very interesting. A plan, perhaps? I like it!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The first tree really has character, it would have caught my interest too for a snapshot. The maple is practically glowing in the sunlight and worthy of all the juggling and kneeling to capture it.

Karen said...

Good eye on spotting that top tree, Linda. I've often thought it was so perfect in that setting, it truly belongs.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I love the contrast of the two different photos. I always admire the lines of leafless trees - so interesting - and then the fun of watching for the new leaves in the spring.

Debby Ray said...

Lovely trees, Linda...that first one is just hauntingly beautiful, especially in the setting of the cemetery!...love the shape of it!

Cheryl said...

Great shots! That gloriously yellow tree is worth dodging a little duck poo, yes? And that first tree has such drama...good choice!

Sylvia said...

Linda, Good on you for stopping and capturing the moment. Love your cemetery tree, he has lots of character! Sylvia

Lorrie said...

Taking the time to stop and snap some photos resulted in lovely captures. The one of the cemetery is very evocative - the tree looks a little like it's protecting the spot.

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