Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
This shot of a weeping cherry branch was taken last weekend, just after we crossed the halfway point of our Australian winter. The isolated leaves, furled tight and crisp, are a stubborn reminder that sometimes not all foliage falls to the ground.
As I lined up the shot and even after I had put the camera away, I resisted the impulse to reach out and touch the leaves, which I imagine would have felt as brittle as centuries-old parchment.
I often get asked just how cold Melbourne gets in winter. It’s colder than Sydney but not as cold as Canberra, where sub-zero nights are par for the course.
But we often get ice on the car and heavy frosts are common as well – which is precisely why I prune my roses later than most people. Why? Because there’s not much sense in subjecting tender new shoots to cruel frost.
But yes, there was a recent snowfall that attracted a lot of attention –because it blanketed Kinglake, one of many areas here that were destroyed by the February bushfires. Maybe it was a special, symbolic reassurance from Nature.
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21 comments:
thank you for showing me the beauty in those leave.
It' sfunny to see this when we're in the peak of summer, but I also love to photograph the dead buds and branches when winter rolls in.
beauty even in its passing...
I'm not sure what strikes me about that shot, but I LOVE it. Its beautiful.
Its odd to think that you are talking about snow when I just sat through a parade in 100 degree heat. What I wouldn't have done for a little snow right then...
VERY cool! Thanks for sharing it with us.
(Silly me; i tried to see if it were a bug camouflaged as a leave.)
My daughter attending Mebourne U for a semester and I was lucky enough to visit. I fell in love with your beautiful city and it's warm friendly people. Lost my glasses on that trolley dinner. Too much good Australian wine :P
Nature always seems to make a comeback. The earth has a remarkable ability to renew. In fact, I think when we -- humans -- speak of saving the planet, we're really speaking of saving ourselves. If we vanished tomorrow, the earth would get by just fine.
Your narration in this post are as good as your pictures, starting with the very first line. Then '....sometimes not all foliage falls to the ground' - so true of everything. Also 'it was a symbolic reassurance from nature..'
I loved the grey branch with it's soft buds, along side with the stubborn dead leaves.
Cheers..!!
Fabulous picture! We often forget the beauty amidst the greyness of winter!
To me, winter can be just as beautiful as summer. Your lovely photograph really captures the beauty of winter.
You get me interested in the Climate for Melbourne and Canberra because I (correctly) thought Canberra is closer to Equator (5 degr).
In Europe Melbourne is like Seville, Spain on the northern side of Equ. and yesterday they had ab.+40C.
Up here in the north (60 degr) we have 18C this morning and we plan for a city stroll with white wine or beer at the seashore. The weekend will start within hours.
Ah, Nature...weeping cherry trees and snowfall where so many hearts need to see it.
This was beautiful.
I bet not as cold as England.
There is something that makes me feel like touching that leaf!
I'm so not ready to even think about winter being just around the corner. We haven't had a real summer here yet!
I always find it strange to think that you're in the middle of winter...
Oh, I would have wanted to touch them too but wouldn't in case they fell off. Great photo!
Grey has so many shades. It IS beautiful. I couldn't have resisted touching it.
"...symbolic reassurance from Nature."
Yes, such photos fill me with sense of renewal, too.
beauty can be found anywhere!
great photo friday. i love the photo.
I love the time of year that the leaf falls to the ground
A very inspiring photo and an even better piece of writing.
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