Sunday, October 11, 2009

Beaming with Pride


As I traveled around Bend, Oregon this weekend, I saw Autumn colors everywhere. In this picture of some red leaves on trees along Wall Street, it reminded me of my childhood in Chicago, and living in the Midwest, with its well defined seasons. I recalled the huge variety of deciduous trees on my block, each wearing uniquely shaped colorful leaves, which then blew off and skittered and screeched along the pavement before being collected into piles for burning. Instinctively, I felt there was something good about such decorative leaves. I believed, I was fortunate to see them, although they were commonplace. Those delightful earth tones evoked a sense of joy in me that the natural world could be so pleasing. Today, I still carry within that child's pleasure. I look at this photo, watch the trees sway their crimson bounty and grin like a youngster in the Fall of my years.

9 comments:

tapirgal said...

The colors and composition here are really unusual. We've all seen Fall leaves, and I love most of the photos I've ever seen of them, not to mention the leaves in real life. There's something about this composition and its colors that is especially pleasing - the foreground seems to be in an unexpected position, the contrast in sizes is a surprise, and the various sizes and positions of the leaves in the background form a perfect balance. I think this is one of your best photos.

I'm glad we got to experience leaf-burning in our lives. There was something special about the smell and something satisfying about it. It's probably not allowed any more, although I don't know. I haven't seen/smelled it for awhile.

Small City Scenes said...

I do love the Autumn leaves too. Such glorious colors. Out here all the reds and yellows and they are spectacular this year. I suppose we haven't had much rain to knock them off the trees.

I refuse to say that I am in 'the fall of my years' though. LOL

MB

Unseen India Tours said...

Beautiful post ! Colors are looking amazing !! THanks for sharing the Autumn beauty with us..Unseen Rajasthan

B SQUARED said...

Very well said, my friend. I share your sentiments.

Small City Scenes said...

Sure Lee. Come on up and we will go to Mt. Baker. It's only a couple hours from here. Make sure it is bright and sunny so we can see everything. MB

Lowell said...

The lighting here is superb...did you use a flash? And the colors aren't bad, either! ;-)

Re: Your comment on the ice cream. You probably need the ice cream after riding all over creation on your trusty bicycle!

cieldequimper said...

This isn't postcard stuff, it's wallpaper stuff. It's a magnificent photo. While in Québec, I took a reddish leaf of a maple tree, put it in a book... I couldn't help it and now I have the simplest yet most beautiful reminder of my trip lying on a bookshelf to enjoy every day.

Raksha said...

I felt the same way about the autumn leaves on Long Island and in Brooklyn, and at pretty much the same time. I don't know if it's the lighting or the composition or the way everything works together, but that's one of the most beautiful pictures of autumn leaves I've ever seen.

Laurent said...

Fabulous colors. I love this season.