The Simple Leaf as a Subject

There has been a lot of rain 

this spring and early summer

keeping the foliage lush and green.

There were some interesting compositions in the spring.

Here I enjoyed the textural contrast 

between the crispness of last years' maple leaves 

and the delicate freshness of the new growth.

By midsummer that early vigour 

is already giving way to decay.

We are all familiar of the glories of autumn.

Before the frost and blanketing winter snow

I love trees as a subject

 but have overlooked 

the infinite variety of leaves.

There's a saying, "You can't see the forest for the trees."

meaning you can't see the big picture for the minutia. 

But maybe you could  also say the opposite, 

"Sometimes  I can't see the the leaves for the trees."

Pastel Sketch from the Spring Trip

This year the deciduous leaves 

were just coming out 

and shimmered with chartreuse and gold

against the dark bluegreens

 of the evergreens.

Spring Photos - Far

 

Spring Photos - Near

Spring Photography Trip

We've just returned from our annual spring trip

 to Presqui'le Provincial Park 

and these two views 

illustrate the panorama from our campsite.

The photos were stitched together

 from about 8 shots

I took with my handheld digital camera.

You can see how they overlap 

top right with bottom left.

Here (if you peer at the bottom of the photo)

 you can just see our RV on the site

 the setting sun to our right.

This year lots of photo opportunities.

Water as well as skies.

Wildlife

 Some I was anxious to get closer to.

Some I wanted to avoid.

Some surprised wildlife...

barely visible across the field.

Each year is different ..

I never fail to be fascinated 

with what gems I might discover!

 

Shoreline - After the storm

My calm waters post 

 was based on some shoreline photos 

taken on a calm, sunny day,

These photos were taken 

at the same location 

but as a storm moved out.

Although the sun is beginning to appear 

low lying, moody clouds hung over the water.

The turbulence caused by some strong winds

 muddied the water and deepened the tones.

After the Storm - pastel

The temptation of Colour and Light

Pastel study - Spring Pansies

Although I've been working on a series

 of seaside and beach scenes

the first of the season's spring plants 

are appearing in the stores. 

These vibrant colours were too tempting to resist.

While looking for the right light 

to position my pot of flowers, 

the sunlight streaming onto a pot of ivy 

sitting in the window sill
also caught my attention.

Pastel Study - Ivy