Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHONFive weeks ago, I posted this photograph (above) of the branches of a fruit tree. I pointed out that it was mid-winter here in Australia, it was peak snow season and I had ice on the car most mornings. But I mentioned that in about four weeks or so, the same fruit tree would be covered in pink blossoms. It was such a stark image that it drew an interesting question from my good friend Rene in Canada. She hesitantly asked me if this image had been digitally enhanced in any way and I pointed out - with a grin, because she is a great mentor - that I never enhance any of my shots. One of my mantras is: ``What you see is exactly what I shoot''. No filters. No gimmicks. Nada.
Then I took this shot (above) last weekend. The same tree. Roughly the same time of day. And more or less the same weather conditions - dull and overcast. It had just rained, too, and there were some beads of moisture on the silhouettes of the branches. But more importantly, you can see the buds and a few scattered flowers.
Finally, I took this shot about three hours ago. Again, the same tree. Once again, it was roughly the same time of day (all three shots were taken between 7.30 am and 8.45 am) and once again, the weather was cloudy and grey. But have a look at the number of blossoms. Just shows you the power of Mother Nature, when you think we've still got two weeks to go until spring.
FOOTNOTE: I thought I'd branch out a bit.
