03 April 2017
Lens:
Taken in Camera+ and edited in Snapseed and Pixlr

Pomegranate Bonsai and Loose-Flower Hornbeam Bonsai Photomontage, Longwood Gardens; Copyright © 2017 Sally W. Donatello All Rights Reserved
Click onto image to enlarge. Let me know your response to this photomontage. Prints are available upon request.
Pens:
“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)
As the thunder hums in the morning light, I pull the covers over my face once more. Those few extra minutes of inner sanctuary give the day a gentle beginning. The thunder brings spring rain, and my garden smiles.
Tiny greenery is peeking from native grasses, Helleborus is in spectacular perennial bloom, dandelions are beginning their invasion, tulips are inches in flight, garlic shoots reach for the sun’s energy, early-blossoming trees are recovering from seesaw temps, wild things continue to surprise, and my heart sings.
The morning has become a coveted time for luxurious lounging and musings. Winter has receded into the past, and days spread more light upon my world. That light is a catharsis, a wash of glorious spirituality. Maybe rising out of winter’s grasp into spring’s hope illuminates my first watch, gently and quietly.
The soil is being warmed by higher temps, and plantings of arugula, greens and peas are part of next week’s plan. Arugula, the mere sound of its name brings thoughts of its culinary punch. Freshly picked ingredients being the tastiest and packed with vibrant vitamins and minerals. How the mind drinks as it wanders and takes hold of the day’s mindful beginnings: thoughts that cruise through a myriad of labyrinths before I rise into the day’s possibilities.
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In the Lens section is a bonsai photomontage that layers a Pomegranate tree (training began in 1910) and its fruit onto a Loose-Flower Hornbeam tree (training began in 1991), and photographed in Longwood Gardens’ bonsai collection. This blend is a tribute to the way that nature’s longevity can astound and confound by the partnership between nature and human nature.
Tip of the Week:
I recommend that you take a break from the world’s intrusion, and view “Seasons” (2016, runs an hour and 37 minutes), which is directed by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Claud. This nature documentary is an introduction into the evolution of the seasons. As a visual timeline from the ice age to present, it shows how a few degrees difference and/or an earth shift can have radical effect on the land, its creatures and habitats. For a review read The New York Times’s article, “Review : The Nature Documentary ‘Season’ Looks at Land” by Jeannette Catsoulis and published 24 November 2016. It can be viewed on iTunes.
View other entries for this week’s challenge:
https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2017/04/03/nature-juxtaposed/
https://ohmsweetohm.me/2017/04/03/
https://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/a-shared-moment-of-joy/
https://angelinem.wordpress.com/2017/04/03/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-nature-overlook/
https://nowathome.wordpress.com/2017/04/03/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-nature-2/
https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/mobile-photo-challenge-nature-and-follow-of-the-day/
https://chasingtheblooms.wordpress.com/2017/04/06/sally-ds-mobile-photography-challenge-nature-2/
Note:
As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. My photographs for the mobile photography challenge are taken with an iPhone 6.
****If you would like to buy a print of any of my photographs or have any questions, please view the Contact Information found on the masthead. Thank you.
If you’d like to join this Mobile Photography Challenge, please click here for details and history of the challenge. If you have any questions, please contact me. Below is a reminder of the monthly schedule with themes for upcoming challenges:
1st Monday: Nature.
2nd Monday: Macro.
3rd Monday: Black and White.
4th Monday Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Animals, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Objects, Panorama, Portraiture, Photomontage, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
5th Monday: Editing and Processing with Various Apps Using Themes from the Fourth Week.
Lovely. I would frame this!
Tank you so much.
I found out that the Rilke quotation is the opening of a sonnet that you may enjoy reading.
Steve, thanks for your thoughtful response, he is one of my favorite poets.
Stunning as always Sally. Words and photo. I can’t wait until it warms up enough to plant things again!
Nicole, I just came from the garden. Greenery is sprouting everywhere. Will plant cool weather crops, but cannot do rest until after mid-May. There is always the possibility of frost until that traditional time. It’s invigorating to be cleaning up and thinking about the garden, as you are. It does distract me from the world disorder.
Yes being in nature and planting new life is a great way to rejuvenate the soul.
Indeed, enjoy the emergence of spring.
Enjoyed this one Sally – the splash of red is perfect. And I loved the fox face comment!
Tina, thanks and enjoy Spring as it unfolds.
I like your article, very inspiring and thank you for your post.
Thank you for your comment and visit.
I swear there is a fox face in the middle of the bonsai. The closer we pay attention to the seasons in all that we do the healthier we are.
Carol, I enjoyed your comment.
This is really a cool photo montage. Really love it. And thanks for the recommendation of Seasons. I don’t know it but will check it out.
Otto, thank so much. Hope that you view the documentary.
Love this creative work, how amazing!
Amy, I appreciate your espouse. Thanks so much.
Stunning photomontage, Sally. You really “nailed” this one! And thanks too for the documentary idea. It sounds like a great respite from our stressful world.
Patti, yes, the documentary is worth the viewing, and a retreat from the current angst. Enjoy the week ahead.
I really love the feel of the image – the ghosts of a greener time against the burst pomegranate.
Raewyn, lovely to hear from you. I know that you are busy with the move, best to you in your new home. I appreciate your response to my image. Thanks.
Beautiful montage Sally. I love the way the echo of one image touches our consciousness of another. That’s how memory works I think.
Su, thanks for your interpretation, thoughtful observation.
I love the intricacy of the bonsai, and then there’s that pop of red. My thoughts on seeing the photo montage were first “ethereal”, then “hope”. I’m eager to go find that documentary and watch it. Happy springtime!
Angeline, happy spring to you, we have such jewels ahead of us. I appreciate your thoughtful comment.
Sally, this montage is beautiful. I like the way the two images seem to “lace” together. The red flower adds just the right amount of pop to the overall composition.
Thank you for the tip on the documentary. I watched the trailer and added the documentary to our Watch list on Amazon Prime.
Have a wonderful week,
Ω
Allan, my pleasure, let me know how you like the film. I appreciate your response to the image. It’s actually a pomegranate fruit that has burst. Since the fruit is usually picked to eat, it seemed an unusual (aside from the fact that it is on a bonsai) sighting. Enjoy the week ahead.
Beautiful work. I love the burst of red at the so called photographic “point of power”. I’ll look up that video. Thanks.
The documentary is inspirational and informative. Mostly, it is beautifully filmed and presented. Thanks so much for your comment.
What a beautiful photomontage, Sally? Did you turn one of the bonsai photos sideways or is it simply a part of the entire tree? I like the color of the flower against almost ghostly feel of the wood. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the new growth. I’m happy to see that our daffodils didn’t freeze. A few are out and others will be soon, always a glorious sight.
janet
Janet, now the journey of spring begins once again, enjoy every moment. The images of the two bonsai trees are taken straight on, because they are behind a glass enclosure. Your response brings a smile across my morning. Thanks.
Wonderful picture.
Robert, thanks for the comment and visit.