Nature Falling Asleep, a photo from Virginia, South

Photographer's Note

Nature Falling Sleep

I often take my pocket camera when I jog/walk during the early morning. This morning was clear and brisk and the trees were vibrant with color. With thoughts in mind of tomorrow抯 date, November 1, and the return to Standard Time this weekend, I took pictures of the colorful leaves to enjoy during the winter when there is less daylight and color. I like this picture and the piece below because they seem to say nature is falling asleep.

揂 tree in autumn is a beautiful sight. One tree alone can concentrate the beauty of whole woodland, leaf by leaf and branch by branch, as one flower can give the essence of a whole garden. The beauty of the turning woods is not alone in the scarlet of a maple grove or the sun-gold glow of a hillside stand of beeches. It is the subtle change that creeps along the leaves themselves, from point to point and vein to vein. A woodland in full color is awesome as a forest fire, in magnitude at least; but a single tree is like a dancing tongue of flame to warm the heart.

Watch even a single branch outside a certain window, and you are watching the color of change. One morning there is a spot of yellow on a certain leaf, yellow which has not yet quite achieved the glow of gold. Another day and that glow may be there. It spreads. The spot becomes a splash of gold, edged perhaps with a thin line of scarlet. It creeps down the leaf between the veins, and then across the veins; and the scarlet edging widens into a band and then a border. Meanwhile other leaves have begun to turn, some to gold, some to dull bronze, some to blood-red beauty. All on the same branch as full of color as the whole woodland.

Thus comes autumn, leaf by leaf and tree by tree; thus the woods become a hooked rug flung across the hills with all it folds, and all its colors as they come to hand. But pause beside one tree and look, and you can see autumn on all the hills. Pick up one leaf of those already cast adrift and you hold autumn in your hand.� From the book SUNDIAL OF THE SEASONS by Hal Borland-1964 First published in The New York Times -1945

edge, jaywalker, mortijo, batalay, litiancai, belido, ilDottore, rasto1893, Atousa, Vasa, bakes888, Charo, ElAprendiz, paura, subhendu_bagchi, kordinator has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

edge (7409) 2008-10-31 22:38

I think this is a delightful shot. Good composition and you have optimized the color with lighting. I might add that your notes regarding autumn were excellent and rewarding to read.

jaywalker (16105) 2008-11-01 1:11

Hi Betty, A lovely close up to display superb natural colours, such a simple theme & great detail, with a very beautiful title, kind regards Wilson.

mortijo (12828) 2008-11-01 1:23

Superb colors and an excellent note. Nice to look at.
Regards
John

polpo56 (15146) 2008-11-01 16:27

Hi Betty,
a nice composition and wonderful autumnal colors in this shot.
Ciao
Ludo

batalay (41261) 2008-11-01 21:03

Hello Betty,

An extraordinary shot, composed exquisitely, exposed flawlessly! The centerpiece of the arrangement is of course the large tawny oak leaf, with a supporting cast of other drying leaves in variegated colors � gold, copper... This image would make a spectacular screensaver, and indeed I think I will put it among a small group of rotating slides for that purpose. Congratulations. I see you took it on the last day of October. The day before, as I drove to Charlottesville, I saw some spectacular scenes with nature showing off, alas I was running late and could not stop to take any pictures.

Warm regards,

Buletn

litiancai (1048) 2008-11-02 17:13

Hi Betty,
We don't seem to get many shots like this posted on here which is a shame because when like this shot, they're most pleasing to the eye. Superb colours, a well seem composition and just a hint of light and shadows at the edge of the shot are important for a little impact. A nice photo, thanks for sharing!
regards
Lee

belido (19934) 2008-11-03 3:18

Hi Betty,

another great macro shot. Once more the colours of the autumn. Thanks for taking your pocket camera with you and share your morning experiences with us. Really beautiful photo!
Regards,
Carlos

ilDottore (5252) 2008-11-03 9:54 [Comment]

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rasto1893 (522) 2008-11-03 11:19

Hello Betty,
Good composition and beautiful colours, simply but very strong and nice result of the photo, I like this mix it磗 good for eyes
My best Regards
Rastislav

gunbud (34066) 2008-11-03 18:49

Hi Betty,
Simple but very effective image full of sharp lines and stunning colors.
A lovely end of season image.
Regards, Tom

Atousa (7131) 2008-11-04 3:06

Salam Betty,

Its a nice composition of different colors of autumn..the colors are natural n beautiful..interesting note too..thanks for sharing.
Regards, A

Vasa (515) 2008-11-06 5:36

Hi Betty, friend,

warm, warm colors are the need of your soul. The similarity of sensibility of mine. So glad to meet you again. Friendly your

Branko

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-11-06 11:41

Ola Betty,
Linda esta folha em tons de outono e uma linda esta玢o , gostei muito do contraste de cores, bela composi玢o , parab閚s!!
Um abra鏾 Gon鏰lo

bakes888 (18499) 2008-11-10 22:06

Hi Betty. Unfortunately autumn colours are all too often too fleeting. Lucky there are people such as yourself skilful enough to capture the beauty and share with all. Well seen and captured. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Charo (51290) 2008-11-16 14:18

Hello Betty,
Bella capture and magnificent details of these fallen leaves and its beautiful colors. Excellent light and composition.
Best regards,
Charo

ElAprendiz (30) 2008-12-01 20:26

Hello Betty:

It is a simple image, but to be on a plane closed, makes it very attractive, especially for its beautiful colors and sharpness of detail in these pages.

I think that radiates a certain romanticism.

Thank you for enjoying my gallery and taste of my photos. I try to do our best to please all the friends in TE, with humility and simplicity. Again, thank my friend.

I would like to have your e-mail to write.

Greetings from Colombia, John

Buin (42580) 2008-12-03 9:26

Hallo Betty!
I seldom have seen a close up picture with a depth as it is in this one. It's incredible - and more than beautiful! The green details here are a beautiful additon indeed. One of the best "autumn photos" I've seen so far! Congratulations to this one!
Greetings from snowy (20 cm) Germany - have a wonderful Advent Season!
Frank, just retired ;-))

sacimar (38173) 2009-03-02 11:50

Hi Betty,

I like this picture, I like the colours and composition, good sharpness also, well done,

Regards

Sergio

fserajian (2299) 2009-03-02 12:39

Hi Betty,
Lovely shot, the details are just great. Well done
Regards,

Fara

speedymanu (3701) 2009-04-06 5:49

Hello Betty

a subtle still life with a delicate composition, vibrant colors and textures.

Congratulations

Emmanuel

paura (25802) 2009-04-16 16:00

Betty,
Very beautiful macro, in excellent exposure settings and beautiful composition. Very well done, Betty!

Abra鏾

Paulo

kato (11630) 2009-04-26 7:47

Hello Betty,

Beautiful colorful leaves!
And, I think that a large leaf that colored the center in red draws out a good accent for the whole.

Regards,
mikio

AKITA (15125) 2010-09-04 0:41

dear Betty,
a beautiful picture of splendid autumnal colors,
it is strange that the leaves look shining red at last stage of them,
this year the summer is very hot still now, we will be able to see that burning red leaves soon,,,
thank you for your wonderful shot,
Akihisa

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2010-11-07 22:04

Nice capture Betty with a tight framing. Love the colours of nature presented here with sharp details. Very good note to assists it. Excellent composition indeed. Thanks for sharing and Namaste.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

kordinator (8738) 2010-11-14 0:41

Hello Betty
Beautiful composition.
The autumn leaves are great.
Superb colours,excellent brightness.
Perfect contrast and sharpness.
My great compliments.
Warm regards
Sa歛