Wish I'd Said It

Weeds are flowers too - once you get to know them.

- A. A. Milne

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Autumn's Golden Light

I got a new camera a couple of months ago. I wanted something small that would offer a better zoom feature than my old digital. I found one at The Source (which, in the States is still called Radio Shack, I think).

It's a Sony, like my old one, but offered many, many more features - even though it was last year's model. Because of that latter fact, it was on sale for less than $200. (If you're in the market, you might still find one. It's the Cybershot DSC-H10. It has 8.1 megapixels, a nice wide-angle lens, 10X optical zoom, a macro feature, makes HD videos and fits in a pocket.)

Anyhow, as most of you well know, I'm a techno dweeb and avoided uploading pictures from the new camera because then I'd be forced to deal with new software. Probably.

I finally bit the bullet and have spent the better part of the last three days sorting through almost 600 photos. Probably about 10% are worth sharing. (And I did indeed have to wrassle with new software.)

Don't panic! I'm not going to inflict 60-some pics on you in one swell foop. Nosirree Bob. I'll divide them up into bite-sized posts.

Here in southern Ontario we've enjoyed the first November in over 100 years without snow. But the days grow inevitably grayer and colder.

Here's a fond, pictorial farewell to autumn's golden light. (Click on each if you'd like to see them bigger.)



Some of you may recall my column/post about the Commemorative Forest. Well, that's it there on the right. The forest is now about 12 trees strong. Ish. Nice light across the creek though eh?



The wild rose's red hips are brighter than its blossoms were.



October morning light on the northern path.

 

The squirrels have been extremely active for the last two months, storing and stashing food for the winter. This grey has made good use of the peanuts I leave in his neck of the woods.



I posted a similar photo of the cottage outhouse a year or two ago. I'm pretending I've had requests to see another.



Fall's golden evening light lends beauty to a homely milkweed's seed pod.



It's not hard to imagine the plant enjoying the rays of the setting sun. Ben, ever vigilant, is much too absorbed to notice. The yard MUST remain free of squirrels.



It's this tree, and its immediate environs in our backyard, that Ben watches so keenly. For a time, even mourning doves, like the one roosting here in an upper branch, were sworn enemies. Now, he pretty much specializes in squirrels. By the way, those pie plates? They are yours truly's Anti-Squirrel Devices, designed to keep the bird feeder free of their thievery.

They worked for about an hour and a half.



I flat-out love cedar trees. There. I said it. I've outed myself.

More pics to come in a few days.

13 comments:

Hilary said...

I know exactly where that cedar tree is and it's a beauty. The gate keeper of the enchanted grove. You got some great photos here - in beautiful hues. Colour me unsurprised. :)

Lori A. Basiewicz said...

As always, gorgeous pics, Frank.

Thumbelina said...

"They worked for about an hour and a half."
Almost fell off my chair laughing. I just love that wry sense of humour.

Fantastic photos. You're giving Hilary a run for her money!I didn't see the original of the outhouse, so I am glad you posted it.
Haven't got a favourite - they are all favourites. Beautiful golden autumn.

Dianne said...

did I know you were a really good photographer and forget? or is it that the nature tales and wood designs came first?

these are beautiful shots Frank! I love the light in the top shot

on the northern path there is a blurry wisp of white - is that my dear Benny?

and of course I love the shot of Ben on guard, he is so very disciplined at it

Leah J. Utas said...

Beautiful pics, Frank.
Love that squirrel.

Reb said...

Lovely photos Frank. Love the Cedar tree. Congrats on the new camera.

Bernita said...

Thank you. These are very beautiful.
The leaves this November seemed to be particularly golden. A tree across the way was like a torch in twilight.

Dawn Wilson said...

Have I told you lately how much I love your pictures? :)

The pie-plate commentary gave me a good laugh. At first I thought, "Oh, cool. Haven't heard of that tip." Then I read what you wrote next and it made me chuckle. Oh, well.

Frank Baron said...

Sorry for the delayed responses folks. I've been away from my computer for a few days.

Glad you like them Hil. And I knew you'd recognize that cedar. :)

Thanks, Lori. :)

You're too kind, Thumbelina. No - wait a sec. You're exactly kind enough. :)

Dianne, I became seriously interested in photography in the 70s and it continued throughout the 80s. For a couple of years, I was a partner in a photographic restoration business and spent hundreds of hours in the darkroom. (I can hear Hilary say, "Well, that explains much.") Anyhow - it got too expensive and I got away from it. But I'm loving the digital age of photography and my interest has been rekindled. Thanks for the compliment. :)

Thanks, Leah. I'm a fan of the little scamps.

Thank you, Reb . :)

Glad you enjoyed, Bernita. Thanks for the visit. :)

Thanks, Dawn. I appreciate it. :)

Skunkfeathers said...

A better camera than I just landed as a 'hand me down' (an Olympus D535 3.2 megapixel), and I'm still trying to figure the thing out (I had to download an instruction manual this morning, since I couldn't figger it out, technosaurus I am).

Hilary's had an effect on your photo eye, me thinks...a good effect ;-)

Bruce Robinson said...

Gorsh, you have a lot of nice people commenting on your work.

Bruce Robinson said...

Did I forget to mention what good work you do?

Oh, well. Maybe next time I'll remember.

Frank Baron said...

Skunk, there's all sorts of benefits to hanging around with Hilary! Happy shooting with your new camera. :)

Sure do, Bruce. Of course, you're one of the nicest. :)