The Last Holdouts
The others have gone, given up their grip. Time to let go for the season is over. Others will follow but first must come winter. Departures witnessed by the last holdouts.
autumn
All posts tagged autumn
It’s not literally true but the thought counts: “The best camera is the one you have with you.” I was walking the campus of Hiram College recently when I spotted an engaging scene; it was an autumn leaf-strewn stair leading to a white door set in a building’s dark stone wall. I had no camera but the one built into my Apple iPad Mini. It may not be my best camera but I’m glad I had one with me.
Beware! The Cheetah is on the prowl!
A recent visit to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo gave us some unusual photo opportunities. The day was partly cloudy and cool and, because we arrived early, the park was lightly-attended. A surprising variety of animals from warmer climates were allowed outdoors and into the cool air. Big cats, Lorikeets, and elephants were enjoying the fresh air. Cooler weather also seemed to make the Cheetah pair friskier than they would be on a warm summer day. The beautiful, long-legged African speedsters were chasing each other around their large enclosure when we arrived. They broke off the chase and one of them performed a beautiful leap into a tree where the cat stood and watched the people watching him. We have seen the Cheetahs tracking human visitors (especially children) from their lair during previous visits and the animal stationed in the tree did just that. The animals gave us plenty of poses and my resulting images generated more “pluses” on Google+ than any of mine have enjoyed before! Pluses are signs of approval from other Google+ users who have viewed an image, similar to “likes” on Facebook. As we left the zoo in the early afternoon, new visitors were streaming in; a fine day for a visit.
Watch your step – You’re being watched!
Last Color
Autumn is in full-force. Mornings may be frosty and the light softened by cloud. Colors have faded from the brilliance of a couple of weeks ago to, now, browns and deep orange — where leaves are to be seen. Many, maybe most trees have dropped their leaves now drained of chlorophyll and useless to them. This morning was crisp, clear, and dim; beautiful in its own way.
Deer at Breakfast
This morning, venturing outdoors, I encountered a small herd of Whitetail Deer enjoying breakfast at the end of our neighbors’ drive. They were a bit wary of my presence but I was able to get my camera, shoot several photos of them, and move much closer to the group than I would have expected. Many consider them pests coming, as they do, into lawns and gardens to graze. I consider the deer beautiful and feel a bit sorry for their plight — they come into unsafe areas seeking food because we humans continue to remove their woodlands to build houses, shopping centers, and parking lots. So, my dear deer, enjoy your breakfast and have a safe day!
A Fine Day to be Stuck Indoors
I thought fall foliage color hit peak a week or so ago but this is an extended season. Even after recent winds and rains there are plenty of colorful leaf-covered trees catching today’s sunshine. It figures, I’m stuck indoors today. I did, however, sneak out long enough to shoot a couple of photos.
Closer-In Leaves Aflame with Color
Clinging to the Cliff, a Tree Shows its Colors
Typical of November, though usually late-November, today was chilly, wet, and gloomy. Braving some morning sprinkles, I ventured near the lake with my trusty old Canon EOS 50D. I thought, at the very least, I could capture some interesting cloud or mood shots; and I did. What turned out to be my favorite was, however, a surprise. I spotted a tree clinging to a lakefront cliff — one I’ve photographed before — enrobed now in deep-red colored leaves. Even in the subdued light of a cloudy morning, the tree stood out against a backdrop of gray clouds and slate waves. As a bonus, light processing brought out subtle coloration in the dark lake waters. I spent too little time on this morning of moody mists and watercolor landscapes, before light rain forced me away.
A Cold, Wet November Morning on Lake Erie
Chasing the Fiery Sky this Morning
Heading out this morning to breakfast and a bit of grocery shopping we were treated to an amazing sunrise. At first sight the appearance was one of floating bits of paper in the sky with edges trimmed with fire. While I had a decent camera with me, there was no decent place to stop for a clear view — only trees, wires, and buildings. We pressed on, looking now for an open space and, at long last, found one. The air will chill and the breeze was strong and it wasn’t long before my fingers hurt. Still, even though I missed shots of the sky’s peak color, the cloud forms and the rapidly changing hues were well worth the effort.
Early Morning Flight by a Turkey Vulture
Moon and Lagoon on a Splendid Morning
Goodness! I did not realize how long it has been since my last post here! Oftimes, of late, I post favorite photos to Google+ and, if they’re really good, to my personal portfolio site(s) forgetting this space. The mornings lately, when clear, have been splendid, offering clear, early-morning light at a time when I’m out and about. The trees have reached the height of their coloration for the autumn season so, when the sun shines, the landscape is impressive. Today I stopped by one of my favorite spots, the Cleveland Metroparks’ Lagoon Area, for a few minutes enjoying the view (seen above). As I was leaving the area and pulling my car onto the roadway, a beautiful red fox emerged from brush at the roadside, trotted across the pavement, and disappeared once more into the brush on the opposite side. Although I had my camera on the seat beside me, the entire event was much too brief for me to record; I was driving, after all. It was a splendid morning, outstanding among several.
Clear Blue Sky Colors the Lagoon
In the early afternoon, I stopped by the Cleveland Metroparks’ Rocky River Reservation in North Olmsted for a brief visit. The air is now scented with the lovely, sweet perfume of autumn — drying tree leaves — and the sun gently warmed the air. The reservation’s lagoon was nearly dry earlier this year but now has a decent water level. Ducks could be seen paddling about, and a couple turtles were basking in the sun. As I left, I turned and shot a few images of the scene.
PhotonStopper 