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.
