Oh my it's been so long since I last linked to Donna's Photo Challenge. I'm out of practice and though I am linking there, I am not adding my post to the list of participants. This gives me great freedom to visit all, but not comment everywhere like the prattling wonder I used to be. If you visit, you will learn a few nifty things I can promise!
My difficulty with autumn photos was that the intensity of color was often incorrectly portrayed. Everything seemed far too washed out. This was the best of my back yard photos. I have added some sharpening and, of course, cropping. Donna had a great suggestion for remedying the color issue on her Trees post.
The same stand of trees taken yesterday afternoon toward evening.
I was taking a photo of a burl (first learned about at Judith's — you should see her photo at Lavender Cottage — incredible), when this squirrel hopped into the photo. Thanks a lot, little guy, you've added some interest as this burl is nothing to write home about. Do you have any trees with burls?
Thanks for looking. You will find all the other participants *here.*
A happy and blessed weekend to you!
I love that shot with the squirrel! No trees with burls on our property....
ReplyDeleteDear Vee, Fall is one of the prettiest times of year. The colors and the sky gives such spectacular colors to wonder at. That little squirrel is adorable. Blessings, Catherine
ReplyDeleteLove the second photo... So very November...
ReplyDeleteYes, lots of burls in my area. But I doubt I have such cheeky squirrels. What's that called? In today's media world? "Photo-bombing"???
In hopes you didn't fall off your chair..... ,-) I figured "what the hey"... If you can be at _ease_, with this silly 'ol thing, called Blogging, why can't I?
Tessa~
Hi Vee, Love your photos. I love the vivid blue skies of Autumn but the cloudy/evening shot is lovely too. I have seen burls before but did not know what they were called. Squirrels.....they are everywhere!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you two a delightful day.
Mildred
Ah yes, the squirrelly photo bomb. It does add interest. Good to see you here.
ReplyDeleteI love looking up at the sky through trees pictures.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do have trees with burls on them up at HT.
A happy day to you and John. : )
Vee, I love your pictures. I went back to a previous post and the one with barn . I absolutely love it. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see you back, Vee. "prattling wonder"... never. I have always found your comments to be among the most thoughtful and interesting. I can, however, understand your desire to scale back now as you have been faithful to blogging for several years.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the opportunity to check out the trees in your neck of the woods. The little photo bombing squirrel is so cute. The trees in my yard are without burls. I will be paying more attention to the subject when I am out and about.
Hi Vee, It's so good to see you again!! I've been a poor correspondent, and I apologize for that. I've been meaning to visit sooner, because I saw that you had a couple of short posts previously.
ReplyDeleteI think your pictures turned out very well! I have the same problem with taking photos of the autumn foliage. Hal's pictures turn out so much better than mine. I just can't seem to capture the true color of the autumn leaves. I have discovered that my distance shots seem to turn out better than the closer ones, not sure why. I did see Judith's post and pictures of the burl -- she did a great job. To my knowledge, I don't have any trees with burls on them, although there could well be some in our woods.
I understand what you mean about commenting everywhere, my friend; it gets more and more difficult for me to keep up without neglecting my family and home. Great to see this post from you, Vee, and I hope you're having a lovely autumn!
Big hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
VEE!!! Squeling with delight, I loveeeeeeeeeeee your new look here. Nice to see you...hope you didn't get any of that nasty "s" word stuff.
ReplyDeleteSquirrel photo bomb for the win! : - )
ReplyDeleteOh my, look at that beautiful header for your blog! Perfect for the season. Thank you for joining in on the challenge. No link, link - it doesn't matter to me. It does my heart good to see you post. The first and second photos are terrific "before" and "after" scenes. And the squirrel photo bomb is an incredible stroke of luck! Haha, you got foreground interest going on now! Great shot. Beautiful colors on that first one, and the second photo is a nice silhouette that echoes the season.
ReplyDeleteI hope you remember to pay the little furry guy off with some extra acorns or peanuts, OK? No burls that I've spotted near us, but I know that they are common in the woods. I just don't venture far into woods these days and paid attention.
Leaves are notorious for highlights and reflections, so a polarizer helps to compensate. I'm sure I mentioned in an earlier photo challenge about the sunglasses trick for point and shoot camera. It helps to put the glasses as close to the lens at possible. Also, make sure that the glass surface is clean, LOL.
P.S. For richer fall colors, it is also helpful to slightly underexpose via exposure compensation.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Vee! That bright yellow against that brilliant blue sky is stunning....and before I even read it, I thought the leafless trees just had to be the same ones. I love the leaves but there is a haunting beauty when all that's left are the "bones". I have a tree or two with a small burl or two but nothing remarkable...and the squirrels are all the time photo-bombing my bird pics!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful - love the one with the knot and the squirrel!
ReplyDeleteI admire all you who know photography stuff like exposure, etc. I just use my phone and hope for the best!! haha. I love how the top of the squirrel's tail is almost camouflaged there next to the tree. He blends in quite well. I think those burls are kinda cool, have to admit Judith has you beat there.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend Vee. Glad to see you're going to go for balance here; I'll be interested to see what you do, and maybe learn a few tips.
Autumn seems to opass too quickly, doesn't it? Winter seems so long. Your bright autumn tree is so pretty --I know I miss those leaves when they fall off the trees here, as most have done by now. The squirrels looks frisky and well fed--I imagine he has been storing his acorns for the long winter.
ReplyDeleteI love your new header, Vee! What program do you use to make your headers? I need to make a new one!
I just love this month's challenge...it feeds my autumn soul! Of course, my favorite is the first with its vivid yellow leaves. But the leafless tree has a beauty all its own. And you had a squirrel photo bomb too!! Fun!
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have any burls on the trees in our yard. The next time I take a walk through the woods, I'll have to pay attention. (And bring my camera along.) :)
P.S. I adore your header!
DeleteWelcome back Vee it's so good to see you!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that first shot and it's easy for me to imagine those yellow golden leaving dancing in the breeze!
The 'burl' is fascinating and until I saw it on Judith's post I didn't know the word existed!
We learn many new things through blogging.
I would love to see squirrels in my garden - sadly they are not part of our fauna. His big bushy tail is most impressive!
Trust all is well with you dear Vee.
Shane
I know - I forgot to turn spell check on....
ReplyDelete....I meant those yellow golden leaves - but you knew that I'm sure!
Shane
Yippee. It's Vee! Welcome back my friend. Your tree photos are beauties. I like the photo-bombing squirrel. We have a cedar tree with a burl on it. If we ever cut it down I'll be sure to save that section and carve a bowl from it. Hahahahaha I enjoyed your October in review post too. It's stark November and oh so cold. We have snow that didn't melt and I'm still not done my outside chores. Enjoy your evening.
ReplyDeleteThe Autumn colors are beautiful in your part of the country. And I love the little guy that posed for you. Well....I love that he is in your yard and not ours! heehee! You have a beautiful new banner, too! Enjoy your weekend! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThe first two photos show the difference a drop in temperature and time can make to a scene. Love those rich autumn colours. That trick of Donna's is one I plan on trying if the sun shines soon.
ReplyDeleteAnother squirrel photo bombing a tree portrait! The nerve!
Hope your weekend is going well.
Hi Vee, Glad to see you posting again. I like your tree photos, especially the second one.
ReplyDeleteLovely trees, you have lost all your leaves already? Cute squirrel and why yes we do happen to have several trees with burls. Hope you enjoy a restful Sunday.
ReplyDeleteVee I think your three shots are awesome. You have wonderful rich color in the first one- wish I had captured the same blue skies!the sun made it self scarce. Seems any day I had time to venture out with camera in hand, the sun made it self scarce. :( The bare tees sure say "November" to me... And that saucy little squirrel - well he's just dang cute! Our local squirrels aren't too keen on posing for photos... Sure is great to see you back!! Makes me happy!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Vee. I really like your new header, too. I get so excited when my feedly shows a post from you. Have a beautiful Sunday!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always great. I love that last one with the squirrel, he really blends in with the tree.
ReplyDeleteYou've been missed. I love your photos, and am interesting in learning about what to do about the color of trees in photos, a big issue for me. I am going to check out your link to Donna's party.
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Goodness Vee your photos are ALL soooo lovely! And you somehow even got a squirrel to jump into one...soo darling. Hope your week-ends been a good one so far!
ReplyDeleteTrees are pretty good, the squirrel is a cutie too.
ReplyDeleteMerle...........
Love the photos, Vee, especially the one of the squirrel!
ReplyDeleteYour trees looks warm and sunny with their autumn leaves still on and just plain stately in their winter attire.
ReplyDeleteBurls are an interesting anomoly of nature, aren't they? Have you ever seen photos of trees that have grown around an old shovel or something leaned against it and forgotten?
Thanks for the shout out for the strange burl I captured.
The one with the squirrel is my favorite. He does add interest. His head seems to be brown and his body grey. Is that my imagination? The middle picture with the intensity of the clouds is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any trees with burls, but we used a tree in the woods as a landmark last year when we got lost in the woods and had to be rescued.
Did you get your computer repaired? It's good to have you back.
Great post of trees-you should label those "before/after" shots. lol Gotta love a squirrel that poses for you!
ReplyDeleteI especially like your second image of a tree against such deep blue sky. It is really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour header and pictures are simply beautiful Vee! So good to "see" you.
ReplyDeleteI like the little photo bomber, but my favorite photo is the second one. It reminds me of how much I appreciate trees. They give us such beautiful, shady leafiness all spring, summer, and fall, but are still there standing throughout the winter, strong and tall - and braving the weather, just waiting for the sun to wake them up again in the spring and start the cycle all over (love that run-on sentence??). I also appreciate the fact that they give us wood for building furniture and homes - and when their life is over, they give us heat with which to keep our houses warm or make cheery camp fires or bonfires. And of course, all this comes from the hand of a loving God who provides all our needs.
ReplyDeleteWe have several trees that are mostly burls, they are destined for removal some time next year since they seem to be dying anyway. It's a crying shame when the leaves are finally all gone isn't it? You have that gorgeous photo of golden leaves and then...sigh, this is where I start dreaming of spring.
ReplyDeleteI'm back home...and catching up. So nice to see some trees over here on your blog today...and a squirrel! So nice to see some 'action' over at your haven. Hope all is well in your corner. Hi to John...from both of us. :)
ReplyDeleteThat squirrel certainly has a bushy tail!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the before and after of the tree, as I actually love the bare branches of winter just as much as the bold colors of autumn. I also like photographing burls. Actually, I love photographing anything tree-related! And that squirrel was very sweet to have helped you out with the photo. :) Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. It's lovely to meet you. xo Gigi
ReplyDelete