Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHONI shot this image a few days ago, but I thought it would be perfect to publish on New Year's Day. Yes, it's already past midnight here, for my first post of 2009. I guess it's appropriate that this image shows not just a new dawn, but nascent Nature at its best as well.
I was walking down a suburban street just after dawn, intent on photographing something else, when I noticed the strong light on the perimeter fence of this property. Then, as I walked past, with my mind on other things, I noticed the shadow of the sturdy plane tree, which I estimate would not be more than 15 years old.
As I lifted my camera to my eyes, I spotted the single green leaf sprouting from the camouflage-like surface of the bark. The angle of the sun and the strength of the light were perfect to allow me to capture not just the tree and the solitary leaf, but their reflections as well on a fance that looked for all the world as if it were lit by theatre stage lights.
From my family to yours, a very Happy New Year to everyone.
Great shot. Love the background story too. Have a wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteHope you and the family had a Merry Christmas and wishing you all a Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect indeed.
ReplyDeleteHave a great creative new year.
It seems strange that you are already in 2009 whilst here it is only 3.20 pm on the 31st December 2008.
ReplyDeleteI hope 2009 brings you good luck, good health and happiness David. :)
A very apt picture for the beginning of a new year. How lucky we are to be able to stop and look, and wonder at the beauty around us, not at the sight of rockets raining down on us, our world literally in pieces.Shame and damnation on the warmongers, the arms sellers, lying politicians
ReplyDeleteand the power hungry and would be Masters of the Universe.
'God will save us all' I hear, again and again. No, he won't. If he made us, and gave us the power to reason, why don't we use it? Say NO!NO!NO! You do not have my voice, I did not sanction this killing. I feel so helpless. When will it stop?
Why should I wish for a good new year when so many innocents are dying? Is it enough to just live, eat, sleep, blog?
Got the blues, David, sorry.
Well done David. What a great way to symbolize the New Year. Happy New Year to you, your family and all of your followers. I look forward to your post for the rest of 2009 and all of the new words I will learn! That’s right I spend a lot of time google’ing words from your post to increase my vocabulary! Today I added nascent. Blogging is not nascent technology, but it sure is a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteCraig
And, a VERY happy new year to you and your author-family, David.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photograph, BEAUTIFUL! Happy New Year to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteVery nice connections made there, David! Happy New Year and may it be the best ever!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Happy new year to you too David!!
ReplyDeleteI feel quite blessed that l'm entering the new year with my blog friends, which I did not have this time last year!!
Moannie feels that too you know...I've just spoken to her, she's fine really, like me not big fan of new years eve festivities.If l weren't 400 miles away l'd take her out to shoot the breeze!
And congrats on the use of the word 'nascent' I love it the sound of it and its preciseness!
FFF xx
Happy New Year to you, David and family!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family as well! What an inspiring photo!
ReplyDeleteWonderful and extremely poetic photo(if that description exists) David!
ReplyDeleteA very Happy New Year to you and your's! It's been an extreme pleasure finding your blog this year!!
Speak again in 2009!
Donnie
And a Happy New Year to you! Keep snapping away...
ReplyDeleteAll over bar the hangover now David. Lovely shot and kudos to you for getting up to catch the dawn light! Happy New Year to you and yours from me and mine! Cheers :)
ReplyDeleteRather than wax poetic about the solitary leaf and a new year. . new beginnings and all, I will simply wish you a very Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSo many of us would have walked right by that tree and never notice that leaf. It is my hope that in 2009 we all open our eyes and our minds to new ideas and to new beginnings. Happy New Year !
ReplyDeleteHow appropriate for today, perfectly alluding to new growth, life, and strength. Wishing you and all the authorbloglets and Mrs. A the very best for 2009.
ReplyDeleteYes, I heartily agree ... perfect picture for this post :)
ReplyDeleteHaving discovered authorblog,I'm surprised that almost all the comments on 'growth potential' are saying the same thing - simply congratulating you on the photo & sending new year wishes. Have they not read between the lines and been overwhelmed with the inner workings of your mind, which you have laid bare for all to see? I'm personally leaping around with glee inside, to have formed a link, however tenous, with somebody who thinks and sees as you do.
ReplyDeleteA very strong shadow! Great shot. So unusual to see a solitary leaf like that.
ReplyDeleteHope you didn't celebrate too much/too late!
What a beautiful photo.Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMay we all have simple moments that grace us with hidden treasures! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for finding your site this year, David. Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeletePeace - D
How perfect, David! Clean, fresh and untouched...a new beginning for a new year!
ReplyDeleteI wipe my slate clean at 11:59 pm no matter what was on it and start anew @ 12:01 am. I hate carrying 'luggage' into each new beginning!
Wishing you and your family a glorious New Year!
Barb
really lovely shot, David. The lighting is so unique, and beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Love the colours of the tree. It's been great meeting you in '08 and thanks for all your bloggy support. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family, David!
ReplyDeletelove this- one day I came home and a viloet was growing straight out of the wall. sk
ReplyDeletePerfect and beautiful. An ideal shot for the year's change. Happy New Year to you and yours, David. :)
ReplyDelete