Thursday, October 14, 2010

(Day 287) Fleeting moments

There's an acre or two of bush a couple of hundred yards in front of our house - mostly lilacs guarded by some nasty little bushes with sharp spines, and interspersed with a few tall ash trees. Hidden within are the remains of what must have been an apple orchard many years ago. It's the haunt of wildflowers (2nd photo) in early spring, but I hadn't thrashed about in there since.

Who knows how long ago these apple trees were thriving - they can live to be 80 years old, like some people. And yet, this is what they look like today - a reminder that despite a long life we too are but a fleeting moment in time. Carpe diem !

(60mm  f14  1/2 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f25  1.3 sec  ISO200)

30 comments:

imac said...

Nice work Rick, better check these trees out with camera in hand - lol.

elena nuez said...

Wow this second one is truly magical, it seems to be under water!
I love it!

darlin said...

I love the photos Rick and yes for sure, seize the day as there will never be another one such as this one we are gifted with.

That second photo is so cool, for lack of better words at this particular moment. :-)

Katherine said...

Carp Diem to you too Rick... we must seize everyday. Wonderful shots ... is that a hairy mushroom in the 2nd shot??? I suspect that a father Christmas flower (dandelion) has landed on top of it??
Everything in life has it's season,just like the apple trees!! Have a terrific day Rick!

Rick said...

@imac - thanks mac ! That's what I had to do today - with a little crawling on the wet ground (fortunately I brought a plastic sheet !)

Rick said...

@bicocacolors - thank you Elena ! A 'magic' mushroom ;-)

Rick said...

@darlin - thank you ! I was crouched on the wet ground on my plastic sheet for that 2nd one - what we won't do to get a shot ! ;-)

Rick said...

@Katherine - thank you Katherine. I think that a milkweed coma (I just learned that term - it means the silk-like 'parachute that the seed is attached to) has taken a real liking to the mushroom and wrapped its tentacles around it ! I thought it looked unique with the mushroom growing out of the remains of an apple tree.

I hope you're finding peace in your life !

chasity said...

beautiful post and good reminder for us rick.
it must be a little eerie and pensive to walk through there~ sort of like going through an old cemetery....makes you consider our mortality.

love that mushroom photo~magical indeed.

chasity

Dawn said...

Thanks for the post...and another reminder to take each day as a gift.!

Anonymous said...

Wow, the photos are so cool, Rick. But the second one is pretty stunning! Nice shot :-)

marty said...

un tronc d'arbre est toujours beau, même
si le pommier est mort ! j'aime beaucoup
le champignon chevelu ! tu peux me donner
l'adresse de son coiffeur ??
bisous Rick et lovely day for you !!!

Dagmar said...

Hi there you, how's life. Seems you're pretty occupied uh. Love the latest post you've send out here. Man what a lovely macro shots. That glow of the sun .... makes me almost wanna eat that one but it would be yakky on my tongue.
I'll bet you'd have a laugh though.

I'm getting ready for my fall adventure survival weekend so talk to you when I cleaned up after the weekend.
Hugs Dag

becky said...

Carpe Diem, indeed! Love the color & highlights in that 2nd photo!

chasity said...

i just had to stop back by and tell you...
she has and will kiss a frog~
yeah....that's gross.

Lisa said...

I Love all the textures you captured.
Texture and light . Stunning.

Cat said...

The textures are beautiful in both photographs. The first appears to be a profile of some old wise sage with his chin resting in his palm pondering the universe...

Unknown said...

The mushroom photo is sensational :-)

Greetz,

Joseph

Rick said...

@chasity - I think I was too concerned with not leaving an eyeball impaled on one of those spiny things to be really pensive until I found my subject(s). But, yes - we sometimes think we'll go on forever - especially when we're younger and 80 years seems like a long time...

Thanks Chas.

Rick said...

@Dawn - I need the reminder too ! Thanks for dropping by Dawn.

Rick said...

@Sashindoubutsu - thank you for your kind words. Nice to see you're back !

Rick said...

@marty - merci marty - yes, his hairdresser is Monsieur Le Vent, et il est partout ! ;-)

A lovely day/night for you and of course plenty of bisous !

Rick said...

@Barefoot from Heaven - hi Dag ! Thanks - if you get over here quickly, I can show you where that one is growing - I'll take the hair off it too, but I can't guarantee how you'll feel after eating it.

I hope you survive your survival weekend ;-)

Fijn weekend !

Rick said...

@becky - thanks Becky ! Have a great weekend !

Rick said...

@chasity - LOL ! If she keeps that spirit up she's sure to end up with a prince !! ;-)

Rick said...

@Lisa - thank you Lisa, and thank you for taking time to stop by - I know how busy you are. Have a peaceful weekend.

Rick said...

@The Whimsical Gardener - thanks for pointing that out Cat - I looked again after your comment, and then I saw it too.

Have a great weekend.

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - thank you Joseph ! Sometimes lying down on the job pays off ;-)

Here I Am Carrie said...

Oh I so so love the flussly on the mushroom. Carrie

Rick said...

@Here I Am/Carrie - a lucky find! Thanks Carrie.