Woodland
Thrice As Nice
Every spring I am drawn to the beauty and simplicity of trilliums in bloom. These were photographed on a recent hike through a wooded area of northeast Wisconsin.
If you like the trillium blooms, thank an ant. Ants are the ones who spread the seeds of the trillium plant. Ants gather the seeds and transport them away from the parent plant because they are attracted to the elaiosomes on the seeds. After learning this interesting fact I had to look up “elaiosomes.” Turns out, elaiosomes are fleshy structures that are attached to the seeds of many plant species.
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Fine Forest Dinnerware
These pheasant back mushrooms were growing out of a fallen tree. They reminded me of a decorative dinnerware setting.
We found these (as well as other fungi) on a recent hike. They grow out of dead trees and stumps. The intricate patterns and coloration are the source of its name. They are supposedly eatable, but I’ve never tried them and wouldn’t know how to prepare them.
The tree these were growing out of was horizontal, lying flat on the ground, so this view is looking straight down. On an upright tree or stump these fungi tend to grow in a horizontal position, resembling a small, round shelf attached to the trunk.
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Winter Warm Spot
In a very cold world, the sun offers a ray of hope. This comforting spot was found the morning after a recent storm that coated everything with beautiful, fluffy snow.
I captured this image just after sunrise at a spot near our rural home in NE Wisconsin. Of course, I had to get off the beaten path and tromp through the snow to grab this view.
My favorite feature of this image is the sunlight (and subsequent shadows) on the ground.
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Woodland Floor Decor
This was a delightful find on an autumn walk through the woods in northeast Wisconsin. The tallest of these tiny red mushrooms was about 2 inches.
We stumbled upon these while trekking to some waterfall site in Marinette County, Wisconsin. We found a number of colorful mushrooms on that trip.
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The Early Stretch
One of the glories of spring is “new growth” – as flowers bud and leaves sprout in the woodlands. This is a twig bursting forth with new life; awakening from its deep, winter slumber.
A lot of my images are captured on hikes through the woods with my wife. When we hike, you can bet my camera is with me. I often stop in mid-stop and begin focusing on something that would seem painfully plain and ordinary to most people. In these moments, something has caught my eye and sparked my imagination. I see some shape or texture or exquisite light that I want to save – if possible. (It’s not always possible.)
Often the greatest challenge in photography is being able to capture, with a camera, what my eye sees. Sure, you can snap a photo of a scene or object, but the camera has a difficult time of capturing the essence and full spectrum of beauty our eyes can perceive. (With, no doubt, some artistic enhancement provided by the filter of our own soul.)
Let’s be honest. This is an image of a simple, ordinary twig. But there is something about the warm glow of late afternoon light that is revealing the texture of the leaves…something about the early stage and directional flow of the leaves. To me, this simple twig has a seductive quality to it. I’m glad I stopped to capture it.
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Tree Dwellers
On a walk through the woods, I spotted this collection of mushrooms growing in the hollow of a large tree. I thought the colors, textures and just the oddity of mushrooms growing in a tree made it an interesting sight.
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All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Forest Friend
On a recent stroll through the woodlands of rural N.E. Wisconsin, I engaged in a prolonged staring contest with this Eastern Chipmunk. After viewing this photo, I declared myself the winner.
I spotted several of these little fellows who seemed to freeze the moment they saw me. I expect, they were hoping if they remained motionless, I wouldn’t notice them. I wonder how many of them I may have walked past and missed.
When I did see this guy, I stopped and took a photo. Then, as he remained motionless, I moved in a foot closer…and then another foot…and another – until he no longer could endure my intrusion into his personal space. Thankfully, he was more tolerant than I expected.
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Maple Uprising
This tiny maple sapling is rising up from the crowded forest floor, determined to make a place for itself in the world. Springtime renewal is emerging in Northeast Wisconsin.
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Woodland Litter
The fallen leaves are almost as beautiful on the ground as they were on the trees. I’m glad I didn’t have to rake this clearing in the woods.
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Fall In the Creek
A serene scene of natural beauty. Colorful autumn leaves blanketed the ground and floated by on a gently flowing Wisconsin woodland stream.
This is an image from last fall in the woods across the field from our home. A very peaceful, highly enjoyable morning in the woods.
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All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.