52 Photos Up Close

Our challenge this week, as you may have guessed, is a macro shot.

It seems like it's taken a long time for Spring to arrive here.  But Tuesday was bright and sunny so I took the opportunity to enjoy the day, and took my camera along. Many of our trees were just now showing some tiny buds.  What better way to celebrate spring than capturing these tiny buds in a photo.

These tiny buds were found on our Japanese Lilac tree.  When it is in full bloom the scent is heavenly. 

These pinkish buds are from one of our Ornamental Pear trees, though the flowers will come out white. 

 

 From our Maple Tree, gorgeous colored buds.

We have about 16 trees in our yard.  In addition to the trees above we have a ginkgo tree, an apple tree, Chinese Elms, Pin Oaks, a Japanese Bloodgood,  and several Austrian Pines.

I think that I shall never see

A poem  lovely as a tree

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain

Who intimately lives with rain

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

~Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have an chance to enjoy nature this weekend!

Please stop by Sally's Blog to check out the other photos for this week's challenge.

Focusing on Life 52 Photos Week Four - Create

It's week four of Sally's Focusing on Life 52 Photos.  This week we were challenged to create something. I make jewelry, but I thought that would be too easy since this is a challenge.  So what to make?  At lunch I was reading an old issue of Victoria Magazine and came across a feature on Sharyn Sowell who made cut paper silhouettes, and I just had to try my hand at this intricate form of art.

I got my inspiration from a greeting card, drew it on a sheet of art paper, cut it out and attached to to a black background.  I have to say it was very difficult to cut those tiny parts out at the bottom.  Of course I didn't have sharp scissors, and my fingers got sore very quickly. Possibly the old 'practice makes perfect' would apply here, but I think I'll pass on this form of art.

Since time was running out I cried Uncle, threw in the towel and made a piece of jewelry.

I love to see the bright green tips of plants poking out of the ground, signaling springs eminent arrival. This necklace was made with a gorgeous asparagus pendant from Mary Harding, pretty Czech beads from    Arte Bella Surplus, and Vintaj chain and components.

'Ushering In Spring'

 
Thanks for visiting.  Please check Sally's Blog to see what everyone else created.