Japanese Maple: Just a Blur
Category Archives: Trees
Petals and Light
Tunnel Vision
Passing through Greenville, SC on the way to Atlanta, GA
Cleanse Our Earth, Soothe Our Spirit
Most of us in the United States are in a state of anger and disbelief. I won’t desecrate this blog space like the insurrectionists desecrated the US Capitol and our country. I will however share the beauty of the snow that fell the day after, snow that helped to soothe our spirits to a small degree.
It wasn’t much, but it was a heavy, wet snow that clung to the leaves and branches.
We took a walk and felt the snowflakes on our faces, and the fresh, cold air gave us energy and gave us hope.
The next morning, I was outside in my PJs trying to capture the early sun on ice.
Even an error in camera settings somehow was a good thing.
I hung my new RBG Ornament in a tree and reflected on her words and the work we need to do.
We are worried. We are angry. We are frightened. We are appalled.
But somehow we must find the energy to keep on fighting, keep on persisting, and keep on resisting hatred.
How Ya’ll Doin’?
Forgive me, Word Press Friends, for I have sinned. It has been 6 months since I last posted.
Okay, so it’s not really a sin, but it sure has been awhile! I also realized that I never finished posting about our Pacific Coast Highway Tour … someday I’ll get to it!
I’ve managed to keep up with some of you through Monochromia and others of you through Zoom.
The rest of you, I have missed, and I assume you’ve all been posting regularly. How ARE you? What are you doing to keep occupied during this CoVid Crisis?Please share a link in the comments of a post that you would like me to read that will let me catch up on your life and health!
Here in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the East Coast of North America, we have had tons of rain, and unlike many who have suffered in drought, the rain has allowed the ferns, flowers, and trees to bloom in abundance! While I still see patients everyday in my Women’s Health / OB / Gyn Office, I am no longer traveling. This time at home has given me opportunity to photograph some of the beauty right in my own backyard.
The flowers and trees are not rare varietals, but they sure make me happy.
Japanese Maple
Red Bud
Of course, Daffodils
Dogwood – the first photo in this post is a Dogwood as well
Gerbera Daisy
Rhododendron
And … some grocery store Tulips
As I told Joe, this time with my camera has started me thinking about upgrading my gear. Time to do some research!
Our May wedding has been postponed to September. Fingers crossed we can proceed.
And I have found time for the bike, although not near enough!
Thus far, family and friends are healthy. Living in a less than dense area has kept those that I love free from CoVid-19.
Again, please share in the comments how you are doing or link to a recent blog post that would update me on how you are doing!
Coming Home
As I traveled home last Sunday, I kept hoping that I’d be able to stop and capture some of Fall’s gorgeous colors. With time running short, I pushed on to the house. I turned into the driveway and slammed on the brakes. Right there, in my own yard, were the colors I was seeking.
For my contribution to Monochromia this week, I converted the scene to B&W.
Pretty stunning either way, right?
Palms in Monochrome
Back in June, we traveled to Las Vegas for the first time since early childhood. Included in a jam packed 48 hour weekend were a few moments at the pool, which is where I was captivated by the sun shining through the palms.
The fullness of life is keeping me from posting as I typically do, but after 6 yrs of blogging with WP, I am committed to this space in my world. With a goal of returning to the norm later this year, I will for now, at least share my weekly image from Monochromia.
Hiking and Jetboating in Queenstown
It was with mixed emotions that the Wanaka Crew began to disperse Thursday morning, with all of us checked out of our gorgeous temporary home on Friday. What an incredible journey blogging has been for all of us! Who knew that when we all published our first posts, for me back in June of 2012, we would meet and make such great friends. The benefits to blogging are many and without a doubt, the best part is the worldwide connections that are made.
This image nipped from Alys’ FB page: Boomdee, Alys, Danella (daughter of Pauline), Pauline, Steve (partner of Joanna), me, Joanna (daughter of Pauline), and Mike (Alys’ husband).
After one last lunch with Pauline, Danella, Boomdee, and Siddy, with this view as the backdrop, I was dropped at my Queenstown Hotel. It was time to start my solo adventure.
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world, and with just one and a half days to spend there, I had many choices. Ultimately, I decided to hike Queenstown Hill and, on the advice of Danella, to take a jet boat ride on Lake Wakatipu.
After walking by this gorgeous tree, I began my morning with the now customary Flat White. I was thrilled to see this Giant Sequoia since I’ve not seen them in California yet.
They Call it a “Hill”
Queenstown Hill is a popular hike for locals and visitors alike despite the moderate to difficult rating. While only 3k from the trail head and back, it was another 3k on foot to get to the trailhead. It’s 500m to the summit, straight up hill all the way. Click on each image in the gallery to get an idea of the steep climb, both on the street and the trail.
The road to the trailhead
Looking back down at the town
Steps to the trailhead
Still climbing
Looking back; it was an easy walk down
Soon enough I entered a magical area of stacked rocks. I was capitavated and spent a good 15 minutes in peace and quiet, and then added my own rock. The photography is poor as it was quite dark and I just didn’t capture the stacks well.
Adding my own rock to an existing stack
This tiny house reminded me of those seen in Atlanta on the Tiny House trail. In this one, hikers have left messages for other hikers. Charming!
I knew that I was near the summit when I arrived at the Basket of Dreams. Sculptor Caroline Robinson created this piece in 2000 for the Queenstown Millenium project which has transformed the existing walk into a heritage and art trail. The ‘Basket’ is near the top of the hill and “is built to lie inside of, eat your sandwich, and imagine. It provides a meeting place, a resting place, a dreaming spaceIts a place to be with others and with the magic of the Wakatipu landscape”.
I began what I thought were the final steps (the basket is right in the middle of this next image). It is so tiny as seen here. Then I turned around and saw that I had several more steps to go (see the second image). Can you see the people on the summit?
Finally! I arrived on the summit and the view is indescribable, at least for me. I mean, how many more times can a person say “incredible, gorgeous, stunning”?
Another view of The Remarkables
Another Rock Stack
#mysawyerbracelet
#mysawyerbracelet
View of Lake Wakatipu
I will miss seeing The Remarkables
I sat in complete contentment for a long while. A woman came up and asked if she could take my photo as I looked so quiet and peaceful. What a thoughtful gesture as I would not have been able to manage a selfie.
It was difficult to leave this place. Thankfully, a celebratory beverage and a jetboat ride awaited me. I enjoyed my Monteith’s Black as I looked back up to the summit. Can you see it, peaking through the trees?
And then I looked towards the lake.
It was a specatacular day for a jetboat ride!
Geared up and ready to go!
This company offered a 60 minute ride
Our jetboat driver, Nick
360 Degree Spins / 43kmph
View from the jetboat
The water at times was only inches deep
The stunning scenary
What a thrill, and even though 60 minutes, not long enough! My time in New Zealand came to an end all too quickly, despite being there almost 2 weeks. What a remarkable country!
Now though, it was almost time to get on that plane, and fly to Melbourne.
That Wanaka Tree
Over 70 years ago, “That Wanaka Tree” began as a wooden fence post that kept livestock from wondering through the Wanaka Village.
From those origins, a beautiful willow tree has grown.
The signage nearby notes that photographers come from around the world in an effort to capture the beauty of this tree. Please visit this link to see a photo of a swarm of photographers trying to capture this distinct little tree.
Evidently the popularity of the tree and the desire for selfies is starting to damage the tree. Per a story on News Hub, Lake Wanaka Tourism is asking tourists not to climb the tree to get photos, after a branch fell off before Christmas. “The loss of a branch is a big concern as it takes longer for this particular tree to regenerate,” a Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesman told NZ Newswire. “It’s quite a small tree growing in a challenging environment with its roots often completely submerged in alpine lake water. When bark falls off, which is more likely if people climb on it, the wound can be a focus for decay fungi and other diseases,” he said.
Thankfully, there were only a few others there when Boomdee and I visited, and I definitely did not damage the tree when I took my selfie 🙂 Sadly, the selfie of Boomdee and I, due to the bright sun and the angle at which I held the camera, did not turn out.
Tamarack Trees
I’ve been on the road alot lately, and had the chance to spend a short time on the campus of Willam and Mary Law School in Williamsburg. While my friend did some research in the law library, I wandered around outside with my camera. Of course.
The first thing I saw when I walked out of the door was this stunning sculpture of John Marshall and George Wythe.
And the front was as captivating as the back.
As I turned around, I was struck by the beauty of the campus.
It was early in December yet I still found what looked like spring.
Then I saw the Tamarack Trees off in the distance. Their gorgeous needles were almost glowing.
Though the tamarack tree resembles other evergreens, it is actually a deciduous conifer, meaning that it sheds it’s needles every fall.
Research in the library was over so I took one last shot before getting back on the road.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 