Sunday, October 12, 2008

Fall foliage

Growing up, I didn't really have much appreciation for New England's fall foliage colors -- to me, it just meant lots of leaves to rake off the lawn, and the approach of winter (and the dreaded shovelling of snow). My home town, North Adams, MA, even had (and still has, I believe) a "Fall Foliage Parade" event, with a variety of floats and marching bands and local dignitaries parading down Main Street. My parents took me and my siblings to this event many times, but I think the thing I liked most about it was that you could get cotton candy from sidewalk vendors.

As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate the great beauty that this act of Nature brings to our surroundings. It really can be quite spectacular, especially when seen in bright sunshine. I have tried over the last few years to capture with my camera the wonderful glow of the transformed leaves when they are illuminated by the rays of the sun, but it's not really possible -- I think it's one of those things that you have to be there to see.



This is a photo I took a few days ago in Look Park in Florence, MA. I'd bicycled up there to eat my lunch and do some writing. The day was sunny and the leaves were lit up. This photo is really a pale reflection of what it was actually like, but looking at it is a nice reminder for me. -- PL

5 comments:

~ tOkKa said...

-->> ..what kind of camera are you using ?!

>v<

Shell Presto said...

I know exactly what you mean. I live in the coal region (northeast PA), surrounded on all sides by trees, and every year I try to capture it on camera.

I think my imagination or appreciation for nature must augment the color in my mind or something. :)

I have seen some good local shots, but that might have something to do with the fact that they were toned for a magazine where I work.

Nonetheless, yes, the best solution is just to go out and enjoy them!

PL said...

"~ tokka said...
-->> ..what kind of camera are you using ?!

>v<"

Dave, I just recently switched from my trusty Sanyo Xacti to a new 10 megapixel Fuji FinePix Z200fd, which -- I only realize now that I am looking closely at the bottom of the camera to find the model name --was made in Vietnam! (I'm so used to these things being made in Japan or China.) -- PL

~ tOkKa said...

-->> ..fairly decent consumer grade camera.

Much higher quality than old Fine Pix i had and the shotty |Kodak CX7300 i am currently stuck with.

A nice Nikon brand or even a better in the very least a Canon - EOS Digital Rebel would be a little more pro and allot more stable, less frustrating than what i have. Well $$ is an issue for now so i use what i have to.

I am unable to take a decent macro shot at all.

The old fine pix, before it went out .. while it was imperfect and very dated, it was able to take somewhat decent macros ..better than the evil Kodak i have to use.

Your photo is pleasant.

>v<

Bookgal said...

I hear you Peter. I was in Hampden yesterday on a letterbox hunt, and I just kept pulling the car over and getting out to look at leaves. When I finaly got to the location, it was like walking under a fairy canopy....I just couldn't get over the beauty. I've lived here my whole life, and every so often I'm able to see it all with fresh eyes.