Snow, Leaves and Winter, #2

Here is my next upload from my snow and leaves study. This leaf was a survivor, even though it had seen better days, it was still 'dancing' in the snow. I thought it had an interesting shape. It almost reminds me of a gown of that a snowflake faerie would wear in a ballet. It is just amazing on how many unique captures I've been getting. Just when I think that I can't possibly find another shot different enough to photograph, I turn around to go back in the house to get warm and I see another one!

Snow, Leaves and Winter

For whatever reason, I have been extremely fascinated with leaves on snow....this year more than usual, I still have stray leaves falling on top of the snow in my yard. Some of them are frosted over with a neat textured layer of frosty snow crystals. Some are floating on top with just a sprinkling of snow. Some are partially in the snow, and/or are at odd angles. They make very interesting compositions, especially with the texture of the snow itself, and the different times of day and quality of light. Some of them are in mini drifts or areas where the snow started melting and then got covered over by new snow...I will share some of these in the days ahead. Here is one of my favorites....actually I like this one because it is one of the more unique ones....one leaf is in front of a snow drift, and the other is partially imbedded in it. The other reason I have been so interested in taking these photos is because I am trying to complete "Ode To Winter" part two in my Four Seasons Project Series....it's not quite there yet but I will post it as soon as I am happy with it.....
As I have said in my Squidoo Lens ZoomIn Don't forget to zoom in on the small bits of beauty that is all around us. Even in winter when it is freezing cold, just dress extra warm and brave the cold...even if it is only for 20 minutes....you might just find a treasure to capture and make 'immortal'...

Ode To Autumn

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS, FRIENDS AND FELLOW BLOGGERS!
This is the first print in Four Seasons a new four part series. It is titled "Ode To Autumn" It is a photomontage and my interpretation of the season of Autumn.
It is cold outside and the ground is covered with snow. Bare trees have mounds of snow on them in all kinds of whimsical shapes....maybe an idea is born for "Winter", part 2 in my series....

Skateboarding Rocks!

My grandson and some of his friends like to practice their skateboard manuevers and have me take pictures, so I can 'record' their progress. I took this last batch back in August. I promised them some copies so I made this cool montage for them.

A Wacky Halloween

This is an original piece of artwork that I created for my 10 year old grandson for Halloween. He loves it and had fun finding all the different creatures and ghosts in it, etc.
Have a Wacky Fun Halloween, if you have kids or grandkids to share it with, that makes it even better!

Finding Beauty Anywhere

I found this growing outside the back door. It could have been the front door or the side door or anyone's else's door.
It could have been on the side of the road, in a field, in the woods or down by the river. The point is, you can find beauty anywhere, you just have to see it!

Common chicory, which is also called succory is a wild herb with lavender and occasional white flowers. Chicory is also known by a few other names as - blue sailors, endive, blue dandelion and coffee weed. This perennial herb is native to England, but is now naturalized throughout Europe, North America and Australia. Chicory is mainly cultivated for the chicory leaves and chicory roots. Despite the chicory root side effects, their usage is immensely popular as a substitute for coffee for ages, especially in England and Mediterranean countries.

Chicory Root Uses
Both chicory roots and leaves are predominantly used for culinary purposes. Chicory leaves are used as vegetables for salads and various other food recipes. Chicory roots are first roasted, then ground and then brewed to use as a substitute for coffee beans. While cultivation, chicory roots are specially treated during fall and winter , in order to produce two different types of chicory leaves, namely 'Barbe de capucin' and 'French endive' (witloof). Boiled chicory roots are consumed with butter while roasted chicory roots are used for increasing bitterness of tea and coffee. Chicory roots and seeds are also used as a sedative and it is said to be a probiotic. They also provide relief from a few medical conditions like constipation, cancer, diarrhea, cardiovascular diseases, loss of appetite, etc. There are not too many proven chicory root extract side effects, that are irreversible.
Above info from link below.
Buzzle.com

Natural Graffiti

What the heck is natural graffiti? It is a term I coined for natural objects used and applied as graffiti. I am working on a series of these right now. These are done in a style known as trompe l'oeil (tromp' low-ee), or "tricking the eye" because they appear to be applied on a given surface. I will eventually spray paint one on a similar brick wall, because I want some natural graffiti around. It would add a nice touch to a patio or garden.