Sunday, March 6, 2011

Nature's architecture

Today, the temperature is up enough to continue the melting that started yesterday. and a light rain is helping matters along. I hope this is the long-awaited beginning of the end for this winter, though I am not foolish enough (well, in all honesty, I am ALMOST foolish enough) to bet on it.

It's encouraging enough to make me post this image I shot several days ago, when it was really cold, and we'd just had another freezing rain. Jeannine and I were out walking the dog and I saw this group of golden yellow weeds of some sort bent over by the weight of the glistening armor of ice they had accumulated in the storm.



The slender arcing and interwoven forms made me think of some kind of architectural concept I'd seen somewhere -- could it be something associated with Paolo Soleri's "Arcology"? Maybe.

This image is actually created from three separate photographs stitched together with Panorama Maker 5.

I put this image together a few days ago, but even though I found the shapes and colors of the ice-clad plants quite beautiful, didn't post it because I was so sick of winter and looking at ice and snow.

But today, with all the melting going on, somehow, it feels okay. So here it is. -- PL

6 comments:

Jeff M said...

It's weird, because here in Ohio, we had everything melted, 50 degree weather, and we woke up to snow and ice this morning. but... as they say, "If you don't like the weather in Ohio, wait an hour!"

...so true...

PL said...

"Jeff M said...
It's weird, because here in Ohio, we had everything melted, 50 degree weather, and we woke up to snow and ice this morning. but... as they say, "If you don't like the weather in Ohio, wait an hour!""

Huh... I always thought that was a New England saying! -- PL

Jeff M said...

Hmm...I guess we get similar patterns... but ours is all lake effect... and lacks severity. We get 4 inches of snow and can't drive anywhere.

Aaron Hazouri said...

Great photo! I love the way ice encases everything. Living in Florida, we don't get much snow... I miss it, from when I lived in Maine. Don't miss digging the car out!

Speaking of weird weather - yesterday I was sweating in shorts and a T-shirt. Today? It's in the 40s!

Mark H said...

At first glance of the smaller image, with your title putting the idea of architecture in my head, I was reminded of the wigwams built by the Native Americans.
As for being "almost foolish enough to believe this might be the end of winter" well, you are only guilty of being a New Englander. I think we all want to believe it's the end of winter. Especially after such a long and, cold winter.
I have been enjoying your winter pictures. You have a great eye for the beauty within nature. I am however, looking forward to your photographs of spring blossoms. After reading your post I think you are looking forward to taking them. ;)
Great photo as usual Mr. Laird. Thank you for sharing with us.

PL said...

"‪Mark H‬ said...
At first glance of the smaller image, with your title putting the idea of architecture in my head, I was reminded of the wigwams built by the Native Americans."

Good point -- I do see the similarities.


"I have been enjoying your winter pictures. You have a great eye for the beauty within nature. I am however, looking forward to your photographs of spring blossoms. After reading your post I think you are looking forward to taking them. ;)
Great photo as usual Mr. Laird. Thank you for sharing with us."

Thanks! I have fun taking them. In fact, I was just up in Vermont today and took some that I might put up tomorrow -- lots of glistening ice on trees in the sunlight. I saw at least two other people out snapping shots of the same stuff! -- PL