Tree Portraits

So simple and so lovely.

Decorated by Mother Nature.

via

xo

Late Saturday Afternoon Pictures

I was standing close to the stump and finally got a bird and the leaping deer in the same frame. The birds absolutely love this feeder and it's working just exactly the way I planned it. The sun was low and was shining where the bird is standing.

The sky was a lovely blue late Saturday afternoon an hour before sunset. Have a great weekend.

xo

 

Two Rose-ringed Parakeets Peeking from Tree Cavity

Isn't this a spectacular photo of two beautiful birds peeking out of a tree cavity where they are nesting. It's Mother Nature at her best. Photo found here. The snow that is supposed to be coming my way hasn't started yet. It might be a little or it might be a lot. I'll just have to wait and see. xo

An Autumn Cathedral with Trees

This entrance was well designed so many years ago. The mature trees finally met in the middle to form an amazing natural archway. via

 

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. 

The second best time is now."

Chinese proverb

Catalpa Tree Blossoms at My Cottage

I took a walk all the way to the rear of my property after dinner and the light was perfect for flower photography.

Some of the limbs on this Catalpa tree are so low I have to duck when I am mowing on my riding mower. After the blossoms quit, I will cut the lowest branches back for safety. The tree is huge and so are the leaves.

The flowers look like little orchids. Catalpas are very old fashioned trees. In the fall they have giant long seed pods. Every year, I marvel at them when they bloom. Have a great Sunday evening. xo

Home Page with Updates

Evergreen Decorated by Mother Nature

Snow on the pine's long needles is so lovely. The out of focus red barn in the background just makes this photo, doesn't it? via

Birch Forest in Fall

Could anything be lovelier than this birch grove in fall? I think not. via

Row of Trees with Fog

This is a lovely portrait mode photo of a stand of trees, perfectly spaced. When planted long ago, someone had a vision and knew how far apart to plant them so they could mature in place and not be crowded. This is the way trees are supposed to look, flared at the base. It always upsets me when I see landscapers covering the natural flare with mulch volcanoes. via

Cloud Pruning, Who Knew?

Yesterday's post about those ancient plantings at Powis Castle opened up a whole new world of CLOUD PRUNING. I have often been drawn to unworldly-looking images of clipped evergreens but never knew the name of the technique called cloud pruning. There are 12 beautiful examples in this article about Jake Hobson who trained in Japan. He's not just any old topiarist but an expert in niwaki, or ‘cloud pruning’, the highly esteemed art of neatly clipping trees into a series of soft cloud-like shapes. The photo above is my favorite. It's #5 in the 12-photo slideshow. Read the fabulous article here. xo

Tree Removal at My Cottage

I was up early on Friday morning having my coffee when I saw County trucks arriving to deal with the fallen tree on my property that came down during Hurricane Isaias a while back. I live on a county road and the Shade Tree Commission came to my rescue. It was a big job, done quickly and cheerfully by skilled workers. I worked for two days straight mowing and raking to get my streetscape back in order and today I shall rest. xo

Pine Cones in Bloom

via

The pinecones, just beginning to open and still in an immature state are beautiful, aren't they?

Tiny Snowman for The Birds

This tiny snowman for the birds is adorable as is his expression. via

Christmas Decor by Mother Nature

These holly leaves dusted and outlined with frost plus the blurred red berries in the background make a beautiful living Christmas card on this Christmas Eve morning. via

Evergreens and Pinecones

This flat lay arrangement is quite beautiful, agreed? via

Storm Damage and Frost on Leaves

This is a photo of the tall tree that snapped next door and fell my way. It missed my cast iron rooster or chicken, my birdbath and the brick wall cushioned the fall in such a way that absolutely nothing was damaged. It could have been so much worse. I can't complain and the added exercise I am getting from picking up sticks is sorely needed. 

I was on my second mug of coffee when I decided to go outside and snap these photos. I wish I had gone out while the water was boiling for my French Press to get more frost on these leaves. It was almost melted but you can see the outline on the center leaf. It was in the 20s but the bright sun felt warm. Have a great weekend. xo

Vintage Chambers Range + Red Maple Sapling

I toured a smaller country colonial home yesterday that was a few streets over from me and loved the vintage Chambers range in the kitchen. It featured a well used griddle and two ovens. The last one I saw in a local home was ripped out when the house was demolished and probably ended up in the landfill. Boo hoo, but I have to confess it was not nearly as pristine as this one.

There was a nice size Japanese red maple seedling growing in the front pachysandra bed at this house and the listing realtor said I could have it. I couldn't pull it up but went back later with my gardening tools and dug it up. It is already thriving in my back yard near one of my bird baths. I am such a scavenger and I am always looking for something to transplant. The pachysandra roots had a stronghold on this little tree and it was much too close to the house to be allowed to grow in place. Lucky me. Now a little red tree has found true love and a new home.

I had a request to post a photo of the sapling so its growth can be recorded over the years. I have to be careful where I plant things with deep roots because my septic system is in my backyard. I need to scrub the birdbath and remove the algae buildup so the birds will be happy. We had rain overnight but I think it will stop around noon and just be an overcast day. 

Isn't this little tree a beauty? My grandmother, the master gardener, always said to put a fifty cent plant in a ten dollar hole and I followed her advice when planting this free tree. I can tell it's happy the way it sways in a gentle breeze.

Life Cycle of a Maple Tree

I photographed this maple leaf yesterday between showers and there just happened to be a seedpod nearby. My upstairs balcony floor is absolutely covered with these little helicopters and I am surprised that I don't have a maple forest because of them. Today promises to be the first nice day in ages and I am thankful because I have to meet home inspectors at ten o'clock this morning for a pre-listing inspection. Wish me luck! Fingers crossed. See you later. xo

Trees with Long Shadows

I love this wonderful linocut by Australian artist, Anita Laurence, entitled Winter II. I have always thought it would be fun to learn this craft but sadly I am not at all artistic in this way. Have a great weekend. xo

Acorns and Oak Leaves

“The boughs of the oak are roaring inside the acorn shell.” ~Charles Tomlinson via

I love this photo and the quote too! xo

Fox Chasing Hare Papercutting Gif

The fox will never win in this creative moving animated gif. I love the papercuts. via