Friday, May 20, 2011

Under the apple tree ...

I vaguely recall one of the first songs I learned in elementary school, which started with the following profound lyrics:

"Spring, spring, spring, spring
  Under the apple tree,
  Swing, swing, oh swing, swing
  Under the apple tree ... "

My recollection of the rest of the lyrics has suffered from the ravages of time, but I can readily recall the tune, and it was playing in my head as I wandered among the apple blossoms this afternoon. It's too bad the apple blossom season is so short - they smell so good, and bees have to work overtime to visit all the blooms before they're gone. No time for them to sit under the apple tree.

(all shots made with a 60mm macro lens at f5.6 or f6.3, ISO100, and a shutter speed of 1/80 or 1/125 sec)


28 comments:

Cloudia said...

sweet shots!



Warm Aloha from Waikiki

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Dawn said...

Now these are beautiful!!! I just took some apple blossoms shots on my phone camera...nothing like your work! Very beautiful Rick!
It's funny...all of us Canadians are finally getting our spring...did you realize summer is a mere month away?! Our seasons need to be revamped!
:))

Marty said...

les fleurs du pommier sont si belles et les pommes le seront aussi!
superbes photos ! j'aime particulièrement la 2ème !
je te souhaite un merveilleux weekend bisous fleuris et parfumés pour toi Rick

ju-north said...

Can smell them from here!

Elizabeth Grimes said...

I've never heard that song, but I have another stuck in my head now, "Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me..." :)
The photos are soft and lovely.

Soraia said...

Beautiful flowers! :D

Michelle said...

These are beautiful, Rick. The second one is my absolute favorite. I enjoyed the little song, too. I do that often...I'll see something, and it'll remind me of a catchy tune or a poem. Glad to know I'm not the only one. :)

becky said...

So lovely & delicate... enjoy them while they last!

Carolyn Ford said...

beautiful beautiful Rick! And, stunning bokeh too! Enjoy the season to the fullest!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Gorgeous pictures.I like the pink coloret seems that my apple tree has whiter flowers,but still pretty.

Arti said...

Great shots, great blog on the whole... I too love photography, though am pretty amateur!!
Loved the colors and the tenderness, have a great weekend:)

Honey at 2805 said...

Your images are so beautiful, Rick!

Nancy said...

Gorgeous Rick! What type of apple tree? Do you know? :)

Leovi said...

Beautiful and delicate, exposed to wind. These flowers are exquisite tones.

imac said...

Real beauty.
Sir Issac Newton sat under an apple tree once ---

darlin said...

Rick it would be nice if the blossoms lasted longer, I too love the fragrance and being surrounded with their beauty. I love your photos, so very nice. The color is so soft and the dof is stunning! And it must be that great minds really do think alike, but no chicks in the house for you! lol Today the bigger ones are put out in the chicken coop but the wee guys have to stay in for a bit longer. Like I said I just never know what I'm going to find when I arrive here, the element of surprise keeps me wondering and my camera nearby! lol Enjoy your day!

Saz said...

Wow, Rick, those are some gorgeous photo's! I wish blossoms would last all year round, they really light up the world around us!

Michelle said...

Really great shots and such lovely pink color. The 2nd shot is my favorite.

magda said...

Wonterful photos Rick!!!
SPRING !!!
Many greetings

Rick said...

Thank you, Cloudia !

Ha ha - I agree Dawn. You know though that a Canadian spring is just the 15 minutes between winter and summer ! ;-)

Merci beaucoup, Marty ! I love apples - eat one every day ! Have a wonderful week with some apple-flavoured bisous from moi !

LOL - thanks, Julia !

Rick said...

Now you've stuck THAT song in my head Elizabeth ;-) Thanks !

Obrigado, Soraia !

Thank you, Michelle; I tried to google this one but couldn't find it (too old ?).

Thanks Becky - I am ! We have about 30 trees in full bloom - fragrance heaven !

Thank you, Carolyn. We have to enjoy it quickly - it's over so soon !

The pink ones were my favourite, Ruth, although we also have lots of white.

Rick said...

Arti - thanks for your visit and very nice comment. I shall be over for a visit soon.

Thanks for dropping by and leaving such kind words, honey. Hope you have a wonderful week.

Hi Nancy - thanks. I'm not too sure about what types we have (will sweet and red do ? ;-) They were here when we moved in 8 years ago - I just prune and spray them.

Gracias Leovi !

LOL Stewart - didn't figure out gravity though till much later in the season ;-)

Thanks Darlene - yep, we enjoy them while they last - at least I can look at the photos later on ... and imagine the fragrance. We DID have the 'painting chicks' here last weekend ;-)

Rick said...

Thanks, Saz - but then we wouldn't get apples ;-) I'll just have to make do with photos of the blossoms for the rest of the year !

Thanks Farmchick (my favorite too !)

Thanks Magda ! Yes, SPRING, although the weather is still quite variable - and VERY wet ! Have a great week !

Teté M. Jorge said...

Ah... so sweet, honey!
Loved them... wonderful shots!
Thank you!

Have a great week.
Beijos, hugs, flowers and love.

darlin said...

LOL I wish I could train these chicks to paint!

darlin said...

Reading all these comments about apples I want APPLE CRISP now! yummmm but it's going to have to wait a few short months! Have a great night Rick!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Wow, love the colors. We don't have too many apple trees around here--but we do have satsumas, loquats, persimmons, and plums. Beautiful Scott. Hope you have a good weekend.

Rick said...

Thank you teca; have a wonderful weekend. Many beijos for you !

Ha ha Darlene - wrong kind of chicks ;-) As for apple crisp, I'll have to wait till the fall - love it too. Have a great weekend !

Thank you Laura - I'll have to visit your blog to see photos of those trees - haven't heard of most of them. Rick