Harmony Through Space and Form

Down by the lake

the weather-vane looked so elegant against the pale blue of the sky.

As if on cue, the three birds flew by in perfect harmony,

following the rounded shape of the arc.

The white bell-tower cut out against the deep blue 

allows us to study every detail without surrounding distractions.

I'm especially drawn to that suspended bell.

This type of capture is one in which space intensifies the experience of form.

Sometimes it is form which intensifies our experience of space.

In this image, the space becomes the part which is framed by the form

of the structure.

Sometimes, we aren't quite sure which element is showing off the other

to its best advantage.

I feel that the form of the metal sculpture 

really brings us into contemplating

the space of the sky, with more space appearing between the lines.

 I feel that the sky and the space complement each other just about equally here.

The chain is a really strong element here

and the colour and space of the water really shows all the details of the chain.

Some images are wonderfully contemplative.

I feel calm just looking at this one.

I was standing under a Weeping Willow tree

and watched those dainty branches blow in the wind.

A large stone structure seems to be swallowing the sky!

A tender moment against the rocks at the lake's edge.

Closer to home - and on one of my walks.

An expanse of cobblestones 

with a single oak leaf in the golden light of  late afternoon.

The simplicity of the grey, textured space of the roadside 

brings those beautiful leaves into our line of vision.

Even the urban chimneys have their place of honour.

This one is in my neighbourhood and provides the city with its heating.

Natural gas is used and is therefore non-polluting for our environment.

The smoke is simply water vapour which soon disappears into the air.

This is the same chimney taken in the early evening.

You make well ask why it is pink?

Well, during the Christmas period, right up to the New Year,

this chimney is illuminated by different coloured lights reflected at its base.

I happen to rather like the pink reflection shown here.

The lights at the top act as a warning to the helicopters

when they land on the roof of the nearby hospital.

Note:

I am taking an online class with Kim Manley Ort

called:

Keeping it Simple

Our exercise this week was recognizing the importance of space and form

and the roles they play.

Silhouettes and Skies

A trip out into the country where I can enjoy nature

and a simple fence silhouetted against the sky and mountains.

Closer to home, in my neighbourhood,

the local church steeple rises above the buildings around it on the hill.

A little fluffed-up sparrow settles on a branch

of this young Gingko tree which still has a few leaves.

There's nothing quite like hanging seed-pods 

to gracefully adorn the cloudless sky.

A little colour this time of these pods ready to drop and swirl in the wind

like mini helicopters when they leave the tree.

I find they look so glamorous against the pink tones of a painted house.

Mr. Blackbird shows us his elegant silhouette 

perched on a branch of a beech tree in the park.

These are the tall poplar trees I walk past

every time I go to my nearest park.

When I see that a beautiful sunset is going to take place,

I drop everything and go quickly outside with my camera 

and climb to the highest spot I can find

to capture the silhouettes of the trees against the forever changing sky.

The leaves of the tulip tree are easy to recognize

and the low hanging boughs decorate the sky

and fill my frame.

One last look at the skyline which is now turning orange.

I've taken a vertical shot to exclude distracting things

like tall city chimneys and cranes!

There are still some private houses among the buildings

in my neighbourhood.

I love to see this one cut-out against the sky on my way home.

The lighting behind the poplar trees has changed a lot

since I first went out.

I notice that the lights have come on along the small bridge

I need to cross to get home.

Some days, 

it's really worth dropping everything

to seize the moment.

Don't you think?

I hope you do the same!

Autumn Writes a Story

Spring is tender

Summer is passionate

Winter is elegant

 Autumn contains all these qualities

and shows us how.

with passion

and the tenderness of new buds forming for the following spring.

Elegance in the park

and when the autumn colours reach for the sky

we hold our breath at the sheer audacity

We follow the paths of fallen leaves

not wanting to touch a single thing

I've never seen such a beautifully decorated bench at the foot of a beech tree

Catch a falling leaf and make a wish

it is said that they always come true 

I'll let you know!

Here's one for you!

The sun plays such an important part

in illuminating those gorgeous leaves.

The Gingko leaves like golden fans upon the grass

lead us to some steps on their carpet of loveliness

which we climb to discover yet more beauty

The American oak leaves dance against a backdrop of sunlit beech.

The pond acts as a mirror

for a nearby tree

and the fountain is decorated with shimmering leaves from a tulip tree

floating on the surface of the water.

As I walk through the gates of the park

the fallen leaves seem to accompany me into the street

as if they know that I am unwilling to return back home.

Luckily for me,

this lovely park is in the city where I live

and I can visit it anytime I want.

It's only a short bus ride away.