“Thanksgiving Leaves”, Clinton River woodland, image #LE-9675
If my woods could talk…
November 22, 2012
Me: “Feels good to be visiting again, it has been awhile.”
Woods: “Yes, it has… since April I think.”
Me: “Well, you had a rough patch with those mosquitoes this summer, and I have been off exploring some new spots.”
Woods: “Many of my residents have also complained about those little buggers. Still, you are always welcome.”
Me: “So what’s new? I see some new trees have fallen, your off road bike paths are well worn in. I think I like them as I can walk in near silence!”
Woods: “It is a constant state of change here. We lost some very large trees this year, some of my best. The bikers have taken a real liking to the new paths, so there is something here for everyone.”
Me: “That’s good, the more people that visit, the more will appreciate what you have to offer.”
Woods: “Hopefully not too many! I like to keep my natural look about me.”
Me: “Yes, good point. I like it quiet, like this morning.”
Woods: “The fog is nice isn’t it?”
Me: “It brings a tranquility along with it. It simplifies some of your mess.”
Woods: “Ah, but mess is all in the eyes of the beholder. Just look closer, deeper.”
Me: “I need that reminder many times. Just being out here is nice.”
Woods: “My doors are always open, any time of the year.”
Me: “And for that, I am thankful.”
Foggy Thanksgiving morning, Clinton River park, Sterling Heights, MI | Long overdue return to the woods behind my house.
Amazing view litrly and optically. wonderful conversation.
I am glad you talk to the trees and delighted that they talk back. I could look all day at the colors in these beautiful pictures. You mentioned that working with the tilt shift takes time. It appears to be time well spent. As much as I love images filled with nothing but fallen leaves, the second image is my favorite. Outstanding. Another terrific example of contrasting color tones and temps.
Hi Anita, thank you very much. I am glad you like them.
Oh boy, sorry guys I have not kept up with your comments these past few days. Many thanks to each of you. I do have a post on tilt shift coming but I hardly feel qualified to write it.
@Paul, I was not lying down but pretty close to it. It is hard to tell, but I was uphill a little bit from the pond.
@David, I tend to have those conversations quite a bit with many subjects.
Well, now I’ve overheard someone muttering to themselves in the woods, like I usually do. If you’re going to do such things, that is a great conversation to have. I like your last photograph with the unusual perspective and close foreground. Interesting woods photo idea. Getting close to the woods has its advantages. Don’t anyone knock it until they try it.
Like these other guys, I’d love to hear more about using the tilt shift lens. That second shot is just amazingly clear and so well composed. My current “technique” is the small aperture approach, which doesn’t work all that well (in my opinion). I’ve never owned a tilt shift, so getting someone else’s point of view would be great.
Again, I love the second image. By the way, were you lying down when you took it?
These are both really beautiful shots love the composition on the lakeside one
That image is phenomenal. I’m not a big nature/still life guy – but I had to stop and take that one in. Well done!
@larryphoto
Thanks Larry. Your comment ended up in my spam que for some reason, not sure why – don’t see anything wrong with it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful images, and a really wonderful conversation. Happy belated Thanksgiving to you and yours Mark!
Nice little conversation Mark. I have similar ones with the beach when I visit which, these days, is not as often as it used to be but all the more special because of it.
BTW I’d love to hear a little more on the tilt-shift lens.
Mark, I can so identify with the woods/self revalation this “conversation” represents. I’ve often thought as I’ve walked down a wooden path after a long absents…”It’s so good to be back.”
I love these fallen leaf photos. I almost like the leaves at this stage more then when they’re colorful and on the trees. Well done perspective and use of that PC-E lens on that second shot. I’ve always wanted to try one of those tilt-shift lens…how is it shooting with it?
Ummm..Mark…buddy, you don’t really hear the woods speaking to you, do you? 🙂
I didn’t realize until going through my images from this year it had been so long. Part of my dry spell over the summer I suppose.
I also like fallen leaves Earl. They develop a certain character to them as they begin to deteriorate. Although it can be difficult to make some sense of order out of all of them on the ground.
I have thought about doing a quick post on the tilt shift. It certainly is not a lens for working quickly, but I am learning of its great advantages in keeping things sharp from foreground to back, much more than using hyperfocal distances and small apertures. I have been using it a lot more lately. Thanks Earl. As far as the speaking part, well….
The woods are wise (and beautiful). Ours has very little water where there was much before due to the mild winter and dry spring and summer. I know we enjoyed the weather when we had it but it has taken it’s toll. You have much to be thankful for.
Ken, it is only due to much of this area is classified as floodplain. Otherwise it is also quite dry.
I’m thankful you had this conversation and shared it with us. I also enjoyed the images and your perspective in the second image is appealing to me. Happy Thanksgiving, Mark.
Thanks Monte. Hope you had a good one.