Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A Macro Lens and Baby Birch Trees



(Click on the thumbnail for the bigger, better version)

We have three baby birch trees in front of our house. Since they were planted by the original owners of the place just before we finalized our purchase, they are getting close to two years old. For the last few days, I have been been out there, with the 100mm macro lens, taking photos of the golden leaves in our yard as though my camera were in the process of melting.

For a couple of hours, each morning, the house provides lovely shade on at least two of the trees, and there are inviting piles of fallen leaves to keep me interested. The leaves aren’t those of grand and impressive maples, or rich and complex oaks. They are simple and not so flashy, but they suit me and have kept me busy right outside my front door. I keep thinking I should get out and do some more exploring. But, so far, I just can’t seem to get past those birch babies.

14 comments:

  1. Anita, personally I think your time is being well spent. This photo is rich--rich in textures, in angles, in hues and tones. I love birch trees and their wonderful bark. This is a lovely photo with the soft blur of the golden leaves in the background. I wish I had a few of these outside my door. :-)

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  2. Birch trees are always more fun that the others. They dance when the wind blows and provide a light show with their leaves in the summer. They have an almost mystical quality when there are more than one, you can almost hear them sing at times of the day. I envy you having some so close.

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  3. Earl - Thank for your response to today's photo. I, too, am a fan of birch trees and mighty glad that the previous owners made the choice they did. I look forward to following their growth in the coming years.

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  4. Ray - You are so right about the special qualities of the birch trees. They are a favorite of mine and I have never before enjoyed the privilege of having any so close by. I expect they will long play a big part in my enjoyment of our property.

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  5. When I was a child, my back yard had three trees: an apple tree, a pear tree, and a birch tree. I loved those trees, as my backyard was my little fantasy land (I was an only child, and the only thing I had to compete with in that yard was the dog). I did everything there, from play baseball to football to soldier (typical boy stuff). While apple trees and pear trees don;'t have any particular power for me, birch trees always have. Perhaps it's the qualities Ray so eloquently wrote of in his post, I don't know. But when I see a birch tree, I always have to go over and run my hand along it's bark. I brings me back to the house I grew up in. Very magical for me.

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  6. One of my favorite trees when growing up was the birch in our backyard. I loved to climb trees, and this was not climb-able--but I remember being fascinated by the texture of bark and the fact that it peeled. You've captured it nicely here.

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  7. Chris - Thank you for pointing out the particular eloquence of Ray's post. I'm afraid that I didn't compliment him and should have. By the way, everyone (including you) have written eloquently about birches. I hadn't realized what I had tapped into. I have so much enjoyed all the messages. As I mentioned the birches are a new feature in my life (having one close by, that is) and I am already quite enamored.

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  8. Mary Ann - Another female who loved to climb trees! Hooray! I am humbled to have captured a photo that pleases a birch lover from way back.

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  9. White birch are one of the most beautiful of all the hardwood trees. As they age, the bark begins to curl and peel thus calling you to make more outstanding photograps.

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  10. Steve - I am looking forward to that stage where the bark begins to peel. How old must the trees be for that to occur? I hope they don't have to be too old. I want to be able to photograph that phase and enjoy it.

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  11. Another birch lover here. I like that the backgroun yellows draw out the yellow tones in the bark in your image.

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  12. Mark - Welcome to the clan!

    Thanks for calling attention to the effect of the background tones. It was on my mind during processing.

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  13. Anita, as to at what age the bark will begin to peel depends upon on the growth of the tree but usually be about age 10 you should have some begin to work free. Stand ready with the camera!

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  14. Steve - Only eight more years to go. I will definitely have the camera standing by. Thanks for the info, Steve.

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Anita