I dream’d that as I wander’d by the way
Bare Winter suddenly was changed to Spring,
And gentle odours led my steps astray,
Mix’d with a sound of waters murmuring
Along a shelving bank of turf, which lay
Under a copse, and hardly dared to fling
Its green arms round the bosom of the stream,
But kiss’d it and then fled, as Thou mightest in dream.
–Lines 1-8, “A Dream of the Unknown,” Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
I’ve been craving time with my camera, so yesterday I arrived at work 30 minutes before conferences with students were scheduled to begin and took a brief walk–camera and iPhone in tow. As expected, there weren’t many signs of autumn, but the walk provided a refreshing start to my day and a clear mind as I headed into the weekend.
My campus walks always start with the trees. The oaks did not disappoint with their gnarly trunks and roots. The fungus attracted my attention here.
Notice the resting ent?
I wonder how he got here from Middle Earth. Or is he a tree troll?
The Dogwoods have so many interesting transformations throughout the year. I’ll have to make a point of charting the changes one year. They’re showing signs of autumn.
Of course, the evergreen deserves admiration all year long.
It wouldn’t be the first day of autumn in Alabama without butterflies and pink.
It’s about to take flight…
A morning walk requires a squirrel.
A couple of bonus photos shot earlier in the week: One provides proof of autumn.
And a tree I encounter (almost) every time I take a campus walk. There’s so much to love and study.
As I’m reviewing these photos, I’m thinking about my older brother, Dennis–a photographer–and feeling a strong connection to him through our mutual love for nature photography. I’m praying him through a medical crisis and sending hugs and deepest love from the Deep South to the West Coast. I love you, big brother!
Winter seemed endless, but spring is leaving (read: has left) all too quickly. We still have about 2.5 weeks until the “official” beginning of summer, but we’ve been feeling 90 (or near 90) degree temperatures here in Northern Alabama for a few weeks now. We won’t even mention the humidity!
Spring is far too short for a person like me. I do not like long, cold winters, and the only thing I like about long, hot summers is remaining indoors with the air conditioning.
Nearly two months ago, I celebrated the mild temperatures of spring with a photo walk around campus. I referred to this walk near the end of a previous post–it began with failed tulip photos (probably because I wasn’t willing to get down and dirty–literally). Even though the tulips disappointed me, I’m pleased with the pretty blossoms I captured.
“Cherry Blossom: Oakwood in the Spring”, April 2014
I’m so happy I decided to take a walk that particular day because a few days later, when I took a walk to the campus market, the blossoms were G-O-N-E!
The dogwood “blossoms” were on their way out too. I altered the photo (below) with a grunge overlay because I’m using it as part of a gift. Shhhh…don’t tell.
“Dogwood,” April 2014
A week or so after I photographed the dogwood I received this beautiful photo postcard from Rebecca, my swap-bot pal and colleague in academia.
“Dogwood in Arkansas” by Rebecca R., Spring 2014
Rebecca captured her photo in early April, probably around the same time I shot mine! How cool is that! Like me, Rebecca carries her camera (almost) everywhere. I’ll have to share some of her other beauties in a post soon–maybe, my next post.
Here are two more photos from my early April photo walk:
“Pretty in Pink,” April 2014
I have no idea what this tree is called–and frankly, I’m too lazy at the moment to find out. It rests near “my building” and goes through a number of beautiful transitions throughout the year.
“Pretty in Pink II,” April 2014
Finally, here’s a pear blossom tree I shot on a March afternoon while running errands:
“Pear Blossom,” March 2014
I am so grateful for earth’s casting off the dull, hard covering of late winter and showing off the revival of her beauty. I will be enjoying this display all summer long. Through photographs. Indoors. In my air conditioned home.
