Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Spring and Winter

Sunday I took a stroll before the Shakespeare Showcase at Lane Community College and admired the spring blossoms. This poppy intrigued me. It was shy. I kept trying to photograph its open face, but each time I did, a breeze wafted the flower and closed its face again. I like how coy this delicate poppy turned out to be.

I'm not sure if this is another variety of poppy or what exactly it is, but I enjoyed the brushes of pink inside the white petals. Again, these blooms would not quite open themselves to be photographed, but were a little more bold than the poppy.


I think this is a variety of lily. I love its wide open smile. After the other blossoms were so reluctant, this lily was happy to pose and give my camera the full height and width of its inner beauty. It's also a stronger flower, less tossed about by the whims of the wind.



Tonight I went back and looked at these photographs from January 21st. It's odd. It's spring. All over campus a wide variety of flowers are opening and splashes of purple, white, pink, red, and yellow invigorate the college's grounds. Why then do I prefer these dead leaves barely hanging on this branch, ready to drop at any time? Similarly, I enjoy bare trees in winter more than leaved trees in spring and summer. I like the open space. I like the way light, a scarcity in winter, is unobstructed in winter. So, in contrast to the alive and vibrant colors of the flowers above, here is my preference: dying or dead leaves....











2 comments:

Pinehurst in my Dreams said...

I love the flower pictures. . .the dead leaves - not so much. Maybe it's the view beyond the leaves that you enjoy. . .

I love the greenery and dots of color against it that show up late-spring. I also like well-manicured yards with beautiful gardens - but don't compare what I like with what I have, because a lot of work goes into the manicuring. Work and Time. . .which I like to spend doing other things. . .

Anonymous said...

The leaves are more sculptural and I like the contrast to the blurred background; although, I do like the spring leaves on a breezy day, pulling the trees into a dance.