Shadows of Spring

Yesterday's beautiful sunshine was perfect for a hike in the woods, and for another try at shadows & snow. Although I saw a lot of glorious light, I didn't quite capture it with my point and shoot. These are the two best of the day.

looking to the left
out of the bird house

looking to the right
out of the bird house

another shot of the same tree
(one of my favorites)
from a different year

Here are some of the other
mostly shadow free
scenes from the woods yesterday.

the girls strike a pose

another failed attempt to get all three of us in the frame
someday I'll figure out where the timer button is

mushroom blooms?

another variety

and another

the treasure I found
I will make it into a necklace

Today is another beautiful day. And though it is the last day of m.heart's shadow theme, I will have my camera with me, and I will keep trying.

Spring is in the air.


Update: It turns out these things are bracket fungus. Thanks to all the smart folks at the tavern.

Peace.

In the yard

sleeping summer furniture

garden chores await

Shadows from the Archives

I had been thinking of this shadow theme only in terms of winter light, but after seeing m.heart's hammock photograph yesterday, I took a look at some of my photographs from other seasons. Since I may not get the chance to take some photographs today, I'm glad a found some gems.

I really do love all the seasons. Yes, I love winter. I love snow, and hats & gloves, and snuggling, and hot drinks. I even love shoveling. Not to mention skiing, hiking, ice skating, fort building...

This winter has decided to throw a big challenge to my love at me. My poorly built house has been no match for the super chill we've had here this year. My bathroom pipes have frozen several times and burst twice. Even though I left the taps open last night, I woke to a frozen faucet this morning. I've got the space heater going in the hole in the ground as I type this and I'm hoping the pipes thaw without bursting.

So while I'm waiting for this...

ah... hot and cold running water...

I thought I'd go through the shadowy archives and show you some of these...

the 6 year old at 2

the first ride without training wheels

long autumn shadows in the woods

perfect for building fairy houses

magic everywhere

My knowledge of contemporary photographers drops precipitously somewhere in the early 90s. That said, this last photograph reminds me of Tina Barney in the way that the moment caught on camera suggests a narrative filled with drama.

afternoon light

Yay! Yay! Yay! While I was editing this post, the pipes thawed without bursting and water flowed! Thank you gods and goddesses of plumbing! Now if I can just get the tub drain and the washing machine to unfreeze so that the water from the girls' bath Monday will flow out and I can take a shower, and so that I can do some laundry... Well, let's not get greedy here! Instead, let's take the camera and go for a walk!


Shadows and light.



Peace.

Shadows

I am always inspired by the photographs at m.heart's blog, secret notebooks, so I am going to try to join her in posting shadow pictures this week. I think the best thing that can happen already has: I was outside knee-deep in snow this morning with my little point-and-shoot, trying to make a good shot. A neighbor who lives down the street, to whom I have rarely spoken, though I have now lived in this house eight years as of 1 March (not because we're unfriendly, just because I only see her in her car as she passes my house), pulled up behind me, rolled down her window and said, "A lovely day for taking photographs!" And it was.

the broom bush today

This delicate plant was a gift from a friend. We transplanted it from her house, but apparently chose a bad spot. In addition to the snow that piles on it in a storm, the snow from the roof falls right on it.

the broom bush last Spring

the shadow of my fence

another view

That's some pipe from my old boiler that I hope to add to the fence in the Spring. There are three sections like the one above that have various treasures worked into them.

the requisite icicles and shadows photograph

a goofy shadow picture

The 6 year old graciously posed with me one day last Spring on our way to the school bus. I'm wearing a sun hat and billowy clothes--I swear!--I don't actually look like a giant panda.





Peace.