On a recent trip to the mountains of Colorado to watch aspen leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow against dark shades of evergreen. Lovely!
I can’t wait!
But it’s coming, I’m sure.
Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. Three amazing holidays fall in autumn (oh, that was a good one!)…Halloween, Thanksgiving and My Birthday. I’m so excited!
There are so many other reasons I love fall.
The aroma of evening fireplaces burning in the neighborhood. Wearing sweatshirts and jeans. Shuffling through crisp, crunchy leaves on the ground. Shopping for new school supplies (even though I don’t really need any more pens). Saying the words ‘burnt umber’. Wearing fluffy socks. Baking punkin’ pies. Sipping apple cider. Putting more blankets on the bed.
Here in Colorado, it’s a little early for most of that…today’s temp finally dipped below 95 degrees, the Front Range is still pretty green, and putting more blankets on the bed would be ridiculous. But I know it’s coming. I saw it in the leaves…
Q: What is a tree’s least favorite month?
A: Sep-timber
Q: What tree can fit into your hand?
A: A palm tree
Q: How do trees get on the internet?
A: They log in
Q: Why did the sheriff arrest the tree?
A: Because its leaves rustled.
Q: What did the tree wear to the pool party?
A: Swimming trunks
Q: How can you tell if a tree is a dogwood?
A: By its bark
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a local destination. It’s almost in my front yard. I’ve visited before. But not like today.
Today I tried to focus on something different. Focus itself.
Focused attention? No. I was totally paying attention. I was in the moment, to be sure.
I was trying to focus my camera on nature…all at once: photographic composition, proper exposure and technical execution, exquisite light quality, artistic expression, contrast of color, texture, and emotion, etc.
Well, that’s nuts.
Nature doesn’t work that way. Nature happens in moments. Sometimes the moments happen in color, or not. Sometimes nature’s moments are a contrast in light or texture. Sometimes nature is not at all artstic. At other times, nature’s moments are elusive or ambiguous. And sometimes, the best of nature’s moments are unfocused.
Stop squinting.