I was looking for doors, but mainly found windows… and flowers. I found this one taken few years back. And, I thought to myself, this is rather good. It also worked well as monochrome. I’ll post it for next flower of the day.
For Cee´s Flower of the Day.
The misty air envelops the landscape, amongst the haze, the silhouettes of towering trees emerge, standing tall like guardians of the monochrome world. Their branches, devoid of leaves, reach out like skeletal fingers, creating an eerie yet captivating scene.
Do you agree the absence of color seems to enhance the mystical ambiance, as if nature itself has decided to paint this particular moment in shades of gray.
The mist weaves through the branches and settles on their trunks, giving them an otherworldly aura that is both haunting and beautiful. In this misty monochrome, the trees stand as solitary figures, adding a sense of mystery and intrigue to the landscape.
The gray mist gently settled over the landscape, casting an ethereal veil on the moss-covered hill behind your home. Despite the gloomy November weather, nature’s touch added a touch of beauty to the scene.
On this misty day, as you gazed upon the hill, the vibrant hues of green from the shrubs stood out, creating a vivid contrast against the muted backdrop. The moss, adorned with its emerald carpet, seemed to thrive in the dampness, adding a touch of tranquility to the atmosphere.
Amidst the shades of brown, the ferns gracefully displayed their weathered elegance. Their delicate fronds, now tinged with earthy tones, created an enchanting juxtaposition against the mist and falling leaves.
In this serene setting, the mist transformed the hill into a picturesque scene that captivated your sight. The occurrence of such beauty in November reminded you of nature’s ability to create moments of awe in every season.
November in Finland, a world of gray,
Where autumn whispers its final farewell,
Leaves relinquish their vibrant display,
And nature succumbs to the winter’s spell.
The air is crisp, with a biting chill,
As frosty breath dances upon the breeze,
The sun, a timid presence on the hill,
Casting feeble rays through the barren trees.
The days grow shorter, the nights grow long,
As darkness blankets the land in its embrace,
A melancholic hymn in nature’s song.
Yet amidst the gloom, a flicker of light,
As candles glow in windowsills,
Warmth and coziness fill the bitter night,
A sanctuary from the winds that blow.
November in Finland, a somber sight,
A season of reflection, a time for respite,
Where nature’s cycle finds solace in solitude.
I think this says it all about this weeks theme, symmetry is everywhere. You just need to keep your eyes open,
Sofia is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist challenge
Church is an obvious choice when searching for symmetry , and I am sure I am not the only one pointing it out.
Flowers – obviously 🙂
Windows …hmn 🙂 and architecture has it in all shapes and forms
Nature, lets not forget it is in all creations. Wings of the pelican are rather symmetric, Yes?
Symmetry is everywhere as you can see 🙂
If you want more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.
For Cee’s Flower of the Day.
This is my last photo of this New York Aster this year. Autumn brown have really set in.
October colors from this morning. It was once again a bit nippy as the temperatures had gone down to minus side last night.
Here are Hydrangea arborescens, commonly known as smooth hydrangea, wild hydrangea, sevenbark, or in some cases, sheep flower, after the frost had melted and left the pedals moist and shining in the cool but sunny morning air. Most of the pedals are now brown , but few are left white and green.
Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day
This time we focus on Autumn Colours, Autumn Leaves, Fall Foliage .. I think you get the message.
For Nature Photo Challenge #31
Keeping it short and sweet or not… take a guess 🙂
October colors from this morning. It was a bit nippy as the temperatures had gone down to minus side last night. Here are chokeberry leaves with beautiful colors from my backyard.
Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day
The CFFC theme is spring – woods.
Outside it is raining heavily and we have autumn storm with heavy winds blowing outside my window so looking for photos of spring is nice, something to look forward to. I could easily skip winter.
We have lots of woods to choose from as forests cover more than 75 percent of Finland’s land area. Add to that the share of water bodies in Finland’s surface area is large. The area of inland waters is about 10% . So we have 15% left to live in 🙂
The green of spring is beautiful and the birch trees are so lovely, not complaining of the others either. Fresh new green – makes my heart sing.
Wood sorrels raising their heads in moss is a sure sign of spring
Posted for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
it is really hard to be inspired by October today, really, today being a good sample of weather i don’t enjoy. The colors are lovely, but this is the beginning of the time of year that I do not like at all, shorter day, less light, It is what it is.
Time to start cleaning the summer house for winter.
The positive thoughts about it 🙂
October, with its crisp air and vibrant hues, signifies the arrival of autumn in all its splendor. This bewitching month holds a special place in the hearts of many, casting a spell of warmth and nostalgia.
As the days grow shorter and the leaves turn from green to shades of gold, he gentle rustling of fallen leaves underfoot.
Nature, at its finest, paints breathtaking landscapes during this time of year. The forests transform into a picturesque mosaic of fiery reds, burnt oranges, and golden yellows. T
October serves as a transition from the vibrancy of summer to the serenity of winter. It beckons us to embrace change, to welcome the cozy comforts that colder days bring. It reminds us to pause, take a deep breath, and appreciate the fleeting beauty that surrounds us.
So, as October unfolds its enchanting charm, let us immerse ourselves in its wonders. Let us revel in the simple joys it bestows and find solace in the gentle embrace of autumn’s embrace.
it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.
Autumn: a tapestry of vibrant hues and gentle transitions, where nature bids summer adieu and welcomes the season of reflection and harvest.
Autumn brings a captivating transformation to the fields, as the veil of summer is gently lifted. The once lush and green landscapes now unveil a breathtaking tapestry of golden hues, as the crops sway gracefully in the cool breeze. The rhythmic dance of nature’s palette, with shades of amber, russet, and bronze, creates a picturesque scene that stirs the soul. As the sun bathes the fields in its warm, honeyed light, one can’t help but be enchanted by the serene beauty that autumn bestows upon the cropped fields. Is. Amidst the rustling leaves and the scent of earth, there’s a sense of tranquility that envelops the surroundings, inviting us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the wonders of this season.
it is the time that time of year again when the magical color show begins, it’s not at it’s best glory as yet. But You can smell , sense the coming autumn.
Autumn colors paint a breathtaking masterpiece on nature’s canvas. As the crisp air descends, the foliage transforms into a vibrant symphony of oranges, yellows, and reds. The once lush green leaves now burst with warmth and enchantment. Each tree becomes a glorious work of art, showcasing the beauty of transition. Take a moment to immerse yourself in this kaleidoscope of hues, as nature bids farewell to summer and welcomes the season of harvest and reflection.
Posted for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
This summer/ autumn the mushrooms have been really popping up, I don’t remember when we have had this much of them pop up in our yard. I Don’t recognize them from each other, so I don’t pick them up. I take photos instead and buy the ones I eat, better safe than sorry .
The white fly mushroom (Amanita virosa) is deadly poisonous. Dangerous cell toxins damage internal organs: kidneys, liver, heart muscle, brain and blood vessels.
The white fly mushroom is completely white, and the color does not change from contact or other handling. The cap is egg-shaped when young, then bell-shaped and almost flat when old. It is sticky when wet and silky shiny when dry, and slightly yellowed in the middle when older. The gills are permanently white.
The leg is also completely white. Its upper part has the characteristic sign of a fly agaric: a ragged and hanging ring. A good sign is also the thick, lumpy basal part of the foot surrounded by a sheath.
fly agaric have been popping up some of them are rather big
I did some search about these mushrooms, and was surprised that they are editable. The cap of the honeydew(Armillaria borealis) mushroom has clear scales, the ring is strong and effervescent. The scales of the tadpole mushroom, on the other hand, are insignificant, its leg is club-like and often dirty yellow. The ring of the species is thin and pendulous and often disappears completely.
The way the species grow is also different: the mushroom grows in dense clumps on the stump.
Water, the essence of life, flows endlessly through the rocky crevices and gentle streams. It is a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and transformation. Just like water, we too must learn to flow through life’s challenges, gracefully navigating the twists and turns that come our way.
Imagine a babbling brook, its gentle melody soothing your soul. The water, sparkling in the sunlight, dances over pebbles, creating a symphony of nature’s music. It reminds us to embrace the beauty and serenity of the present moment.
As water cascades down a waterfall, it reminds us of the power and strength within us. With every drop that falls, it signifies the potential for change and growth. Just as the water carves its path through solid rock, we too can carve our own destiny, shaping our lives through determination and perseverance.
So let the flowing water be a constant source of inspiration. May it remind you to adapt, to embrace change, to find strength in the face of adversity, and to let your spirit flow freely. Like a river, may you navigate through life with grace and purpose, leaving your mark on the world.
I was playing with my photo, or should I say editing my images. I shoot in raw so I can easily play with the color tones and change the mood. Mostly I stay true to the actual photo. If I don’t I mostly bring it to in the open. I usually do not like over edited and color enhanced photos. If it is beautiful – it is that with out over doing it. There are lots of images like that in Instagram, the may look lovely. but realistic is long way from them.
As I’ve opened about that… lets go. The image above is the original photo. I have edited the light and contrast.
Below you can see too mood changes as I yellows and softened the greens to get a more autumn feel to it. The one on the right I added orange tones and blue tones to the green.. autumn also , but the mood is totally different.
Then there is the monochrome image. Time well spent editing ☺
Any thoughts about these, please share, I would love to have opinions on these.
The river makes the water flow. That’s how I live. I just let everything flow. Flow with the river.
Vitor Belfort
Everything flows and nothing abides, everything gives way and nothing stays fixed.
– Heraclitus
Guest host Egidio of Through Brazilian Eyes says he turns to nature to rejuvenate and asked us how we recharge our body’s’ batteries. I would have to agree to that, nature does that.
Music, art and good food and dessert and wine accompanied by friends.. got to love that.
This weekend is a good sample of recharging for me, if you have read any of my posts you know that I am a often at my summer house, like many other Finns are, away from the city, hassle and buzzle of everyday life. Outdoors, barbecue, sauna and glass of wine, maybe two. Nature surrounding us is it the forest, lakes, sea or fields , as in my case.
Driving this road already set the mood for the moments ahead. Below water as an element is recharging. I love the sea.
Animal’s well you got to love them. Veikka and Tinka are my most recent pets. Cuddle them and you relax as you hear them purr.
Forest, trees, well the lungs of the earth, they are so important at the prospect of recharging no matter what the season.
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“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“When it rains, the streets start to get deserted! And the rain has a special sympathy for those who wander in the street despite the rain!”
“The only thing I shall want for a rainy day will be my umbrella.”
“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.”
― Roger Miller
My first post to the this challenge, six words in the title and photos to match it.
The Japanese are famous for their mesmerizing gardens and revolving stories around their flowers. The hydrangea is no exception: legend has it that a Japanese emperor gifted blue hydrangeas to the family of a girl he loved to make up for neglecting her.
I got a lovely bouquet from a friend and the main flowers was this colorful hydrangea. Loved the details and colors of the pedals. It’s said that including hydrangeas in flower arrangements invites good fortune into one’s home. Purple hydrangeas are said to be particularly lucky as they symbolize abundance and prosperity.
Some facts
For one type known as bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), you can change the color of their flowers by adjusting the soil pH with soil amendments. The more acidic the soil, the bluer your hydrangeas will turn out. The more alkaline, the pinker your hydrangeas will be.
The hydrangea represents gratitude, grace and beauty. It also radiates abundance because of the lavish number of flowers and the generous round shape. Its colors symbolize love, harmony and peace..
Hydrangeas don’t have petals.
Those beautiful petals aren’t petals at all. They are sepals, which are leaves that protect the flower bud. Only after they age do they turn from green to the pigmented colors you see.
Posted for Cee’s Flower of the Day.
I don’t know why I am having such a hard time getting back to the groove of posting. I have not taken many photos, well of flowers I have, as I got several bouquets for my birthday and I needed to use them to get some nice flower shots.
Yesterday was a typical Finnish August day, sunshine and rain in sequence. I went to the seaside with the idea of sitting there and enjoy the scenery and relax, and take few photos. I did take some photos, but sitting there and relaxing, no. Did not happen it started to drizzle and rain. I did get some nice shots of clouds.
August is coming to an end, this morning I woke up to a thunderstorm – a good one. Lots of rain, and flashes and the pressure of thunder made windows resonate. It was so close. I should have gotten up to take photos, but I rather continued sleeping.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 