Bitterroot and Bergamot

Shining from within, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Miniature worlds: These little blue stars, which appeared about three weeks ago, seem suffused with an inner light. These are part of Amy's Garden of Earthly Delights.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:31 AM 2 comments

Mother Goose, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Mother Goose nobly standing guard over her little ones. She maintained her dignity throughout our encounter, but her watchful posture warned me to stay back and use my zoom if I wanted to capture her baby on film. Taken on Lake Mendota, Madison, Wisconsin.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:11 AM 1 comments

So ready to pop!, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Miniature worlds A walk in the neighborhood brings all kinds of delightful joys. Go ahead and enlarge this (see instructions at left) and inspect the delicate shadings on these tiny petals, still folded tight in their little apple blossom package.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 10:08 PM 0 comments

Reflected city and sky, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Miniature worlds: The miniature world in this case is the microcosm of Chicago streets, people and sky embedded in the reflection of this pavilion in Millennium Park. This is part of an outdoor concert venue designed by Frank Gehry. Much better viewed large (see instructions at left.)

This is a perfect example of why photography enhances perception of life's experiences. This was originally a quick snapshot taken while walking rapidly down the street with friends. It wasn't until I began to work with the photo that I saw the wonderful effect of this structure's design.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 9:18 PM 0 comments

Voluptuous, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Miniature worlds: This arching branch of magnolia flowers is past its prime, but voluptuous nonetheless. Taken by Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 7:35 AM 0 comments

Springtime cityscape, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Miniature worlds: It is unusual for me to post a cityscape, as I am always drawn to wilderness and the countryside. But I was in Chicago for a meeting last week, and found this vibrant city to be bursting with buds and spring. This was taken by the Chicago River with the Wrigley Building in the backdrop.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:11 AM 0 comments

Perfect forms, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Miniature worlds: Small miracles.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 7:39 AM 2 comments

Crocuses in a graveyard, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Miniature worlds: Spring has sprung and the woods are filled with signs of new life. Everywhere you look, there are miniature worlds that tell a story of rebirfth and renewal. We will explore some of these little vignettes in upcoming photos. Here is one of my favorites: yellow crocuses springing up at the foot of an old gravestone amid last year's leaves. This was taken in Iowa County, Wisconsin.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 8:18 AM 0 comments

Pathway, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Springtime sunsets: Here's another pathway, ablaze for just a few minutes with the slanted rays of a spring sunset.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:35 AM 0 comments

Graceful grasses at sunset, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Springtime sunsets: I've mentioned before that I enjoy glimpses into one space from another space, especially if there's a winding path or a lacy pattern in the foreground like grasses, leaves, or branches. Sudden glimpses of complete worlds seen from afar. This scene seemed just perfect when I caught sight of those last rays of sun through the shadowed grasses in the foreground.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 10:32 PM 0 comments

Moon on an early spring evening, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Spring sunsets: Yes, the sky really was this color last Wednesday. This particular evening had a balmy, dreamy feeling that had everyone outside smiling and eating ice cream.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 10:41 AM 2 comments

La Foulerie, Normandy, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: Here is a wintertime picture of a little 17th-century farmhouse in Normandy, named La Foulerie. The owners painstakingly restored this cottage to a lovely dwelling with great charm.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:31 AM 2 comments

Fall and winter together, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: Glorious fall colors in western Montana sweep up to the peaks of the Swan Range, already touched by winter.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:21 AM 2 comments

Profile of spring's first daffodil..., originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

...already fading a bit around the edges. Ephemeral existence!

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:16 AM 0 comments

Shimmering waters, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: A floatplane lands in shimmering waters in Sawmill Lake, northern British Columbia, Canada. This was taken in September; you can see the dusting of fresh snow on the mountains and the colors of aspen in the middle distance.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 7:19 AM 0 comments

Abandoned homestead, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: This is a barn from my dearly beloved abandoned homestead (house shown below) that I try to explore in all seasons. Why the place stands empty, with its sturdy foundations and its strong wooden structures, is a continuing mystery to me.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 8:14 AM 0 comments

Water slide for gnomes, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: As spring approaches and I think fond thoughts of rushing western streams, my memory turns to Kootenai Creek, one of my favorite spots anywhere. It comes tumbling out of the Bitterroot Mountains through a narrow canyon, inviting you to dive into its myriad tiny waterfalls.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:13 AM 0 comments

A riot of daisies, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: a field full of sweet-faced daisies is a sign of full summer in Wisconsin.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:22 AM 1 comments

Sentinels against scudding clouds, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: A lush carpet of fall grasses leads to towering tamarack trees bordering Clearwater Lake in western Montana.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 10:46 PM 0 comments

Unfurling: same twig, two days apart, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: To folks in southerly climes already abloom with foliage and flowers, these tiny belated buds may seem somewhat pitiful. But to us northlanders, this is a miniature miracle! This is the same twig, taken two days apart. Day by day, these little bundles will tranform themselves into silver maple leaves.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 8:09 AM 0 comments

Light on a winter landscape, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: Here are the north hills of Missoula, Montana rolling up toward Mt. Stuart. Love the way the folds of the land lead the eye straight toward the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 8:59 AM 1 comments

Thousand-year-old ramparts, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: These ancient ivy-covered ramparts of Mont St. Michel in Normandy overlook the Atlantic tides. Until 100 years ago, access to this glorious monastery was regulated by the tides, and pilgrims could only cross when the tide was out, as it is here. I have never seen anything like Mont St. Michel and would like to spend days and days exploring its turrets, chapels, gardens, cloisters, ramparts, village, and cathedral. This is actually a winter photo, despite the greenery.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 7:02 PM 0 comments

Timeless, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: I found this little mill yesterday sitting all by itself on a small back road in southwestern Wisconsin. What a lovely sight on an early spring day!

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:51 AM 6 comments

Town corner, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: here's another fall photo in this seasonal series. Behold an October maple blazing forth in all its glory on a street corner in Missoula, Montana.

# posted by Bitterroot @ 12:15 AM 0 comments

Wintry blues and browns, originally uploaded by Bitterroot.

Seasonal extremes: the fog bank separates the brown from the blue in a January scene that is pure Montana for me. This was taken less than a mile from the photo below, but the seasonal contrast moves it into a different dimension altogether.

Hard to believe that I was swooping over those formidable distant Bitterroot Mountains in a flimsy hang glider just last summer!

# posted by Bitterroot @ 8:36 AM 5 comments