Category Archives: Macro

Sometimes More is Better

“Maple Leaf and Raindrops Abstract”
Heatherwood Garden

Simple images are fun to play with. I first photographed this vignette as a simple image of a leaf, a few branches, and raindrops. I liked the image, but then went beyond and asked myself, “If a single image was nice, how would multiple images combined look?” Sometimes more is better.

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The Maples are Emerging

“Emerging October Glory Maple Leaves”
Heatherwood Spring

Here come the new leaves as a few of last year’s leaves hang on. Last fall we had some very warm weather, then a severe cold snap hit. Many of the maple leaves did not even get a chance to turn color. They just turned brown and hung on to the tree. When an early snow hit at the end of November, it loaded up wet snow on the leaf-covered branches causing several large branches to break. We are watching closely this spring to see if we need to do any additional pruning to help the trees recover.

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I don’t know what it is, but it’s sure pretty.

“Ground Cover ?”
Yakima Area Arboretum, WA

Meandering along in the Yakima Arboretum Japanese garden, I looked down and saw this stringy ground cover. It was full of oranges, purples, greens, yellows, and turquoise colors. I don’t have any idea of what kind of ground cover it is, but I really need to get some for our Heatherwood garden.

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Strange Leaf

“Ed Wood Japanese Maple”
Heatherwood Summer

The hot direct sunlight brings out the red color to the tips of this Japanese maple. This species has quite a different leaf pattern than the standard palmateum or dissectum varieties of Japanese maples. The leaf itself is huge, about 4 inches. The east-facing side of the maple is protected by its canopy from the scorching summer sun we have been having. The west-facing side of the tree is starting to get brown seared leaves from the harsh afternoon sun.

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Heart and Soul

“Forest Pansy Redbud Leaf”
Heatherwood Woodland

Many times as I walk through our garden, I just let my imagination wander. I am not looking for anything in particular. But when something catches my eye, I stop and explore with my mind and soul. Many times, after pausing for a few moments, I just move on. Sometimes I become captured and just let my mind wander.

I saw this pretty bright new leaf on the tip of a branch. My eyes followed it up along the branch as it led up to the trunk of the tree. The heart seemed to be beating as it softly fluttered in the breeze. I imagined it feeding its blood along the branches to the other leaves and softly back up to the soul of the tree. It is wonderful what imagination can do! Look around, look up to the clouds, and dream. It is a wonderful way to enjoy a moment!

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Showing Off

“Forest Pansy Redbud Leaves”
Heatherwood Woodland

The early morning sun backlit these Forest Pansy redbud leaves causing them to shout out, “Look at me, look at me!” An early morning walk is always a pleasure. Things just seem to sparkle when the sun first glances over them. The special sunlight is fleeting, I have to be on my toes, time is short. It is time to make the most out of every moment.

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Hello Summer

“Redbud Leaf Abstract”
Heatherwood Summer

As I say goodbye to spring with an abstract, I will welcome in summer with an abstract as well. We have been very fortunate to have had mild weather with adequate moisture this spring, while many parts of the country are in a severe drought and/or are having extremely high temperatures. Heatherwood’s trees, shrubs, and perennials are doing very well. I hope that the moderate weather will continue through the summer, so the new plants will get a chance to become well established.

My thoughts are with others as they face the harsh conditions across the country.

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A Gift From Nature

“Red Tip Norway Spruce”
Heatherwood Spring

Nature constantly gives me little gifts of joy each day. As I walk slowly through our garden, my mind and eyes wander. Then all of a sudden something pops out and says, “Look at me, look at me!” Yesterday, I was walking through the garden looking for little vignettes of contrasting color and texture. Then all of a sudden these little red tips from a Norway spruce stood up and hollered, “Here I am, forget about all that other stuff and pay attention to me.” I did and used all that other color and textures as a soft background.

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