Monday, October 3, 2011

Gratitude & Texture Tuesday

Well this is another hard one! There are so many things to be grateful for, that it took some time to figure out what I would post about. Really, I can't just settle on one, so I will post about a few things I am grateful for right now.

While deciding on the picture theme for Texture Tuesday, I was looking through my unedited photos and realized just how grateful I am to live just ten minutes down the road from a grove of coastal redwoods. When I need my fix of nature, I wander through them. Here is a tree I pass on my way to the redwoods.

Whenever I pass this tree on a foggy morning, I have to stop and get some pictures of it. I used some of Kim's textures on it, Yesteryear, Serendipity, and The Ladder.

I tried some textures on the following photos, but they didn't take very well. I'm still new to textures, so it may be a while before I can get the results I want from them. Anyway, I love a foggy morning in the redwoods. I think these pictures tell the story why.



This is a picture of a redwood fairy ring. When a redwood tree dies or is cut down, the root system remains and starts sprouting trees that are genetically identical to the mother tree. The new growth grows in a ring. When the new growth is still young, it sprouts up like a gigantic wreath, with a bare middle. It is said that fairies come out in the moonlight to dance in them : )



Well, there is more I am thankful for. Mostly for coming across Kim Klassen's Cafe Blog while looking for a tutorial to make textures. I was so taken by her blog that I signed up for her free Skinny Mini eCourse. I didn't stop there, I had to take the Essentials course to learn more. Finally, it is through this discovery that I started my blog, and am able to be among a group of talented artistic women that I admire and enjoy sharing the love of photography. I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful bloggers who take the time to share their interests and talents. I truly enjoy your blogs and am grateful to be a part of the blogging community.

19 comments:

  1. Unbelievable beauty in these shots, Cathy! I LOVE that tree in the fog...all your tree shots are amazing! They don't need a bit of texture to make them stand out. And I have to say, I LOVE the sweet daisy shot! Well done!

    I too am so grateful for this blogging community and the things that we learn from each other! Kim has been wonderful!!

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  2. Love your pictures, wonderful trees!! The bottom photo is awesome too! I enjoyed reading this blogpost!

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  3. Ohhhhhhhhhhh I would have loved to have been there - you've captured such beauty. I love photographing fog too. Your first photograph is lovely especially with those 3 textures.

    Rosie
    from leavesnbloom photography

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  4. Amazing beauty in your photos!

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  5. I think trees are full of magic. Gorgeous images and great texture work.
    I am, also very grateful for this blogging community.

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  6. oh! so wonderful, looking at all of these was my way of taking a beautiful walk through the woods and the foggy morn, thank you :) The first is a fave, but the redwoods are awesome too.

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  7. What a heavenly place
    and I understand your gratitude
    for its closeness.

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  8. Oh my, to imagine all that beauty so close by.

    These pictures are just amazing!!

    Great work.

    Hope you have a blessed day♥

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  9. I think redwoods are particularly wonderful trees -- I love your shots of the fairy ring and the first tree you pass on your way. You are so lucky to have all that nearby. I am also grateful for the blogging community: I have learned so much and have "met" so many wonderful people!

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  10. Even in the photos you can feel the moisture of the fog. What a wonderful story about redwood regeneration. We have a few redwoods in gardens in our tiny village. I hate to think what would happen if somebody cut them down: the thatched cottages would all be pushed up and become treehouses :-)

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  11. oh how lucky you are - LOVE the first shot!!

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  12. I have just joined KK Textures and was browsing the sight when I came across your lead *Gratitude * image. It has that early morning majestic yet mysterious promise of tings to come. Excellent image!

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  13. These photos are all amazing and beautiful. I love fog shots and just being there to walk thru here must be amazing too. I too believe trees hold magic. I too have just found the blogging community and what a wonderful group of women. I have learned so much.

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  14. I didn't know that about the red woods. I love the feel of all of these photos and they seem to tell a story.

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  15. I've never seen a redwood but you pictures are absolutely beautiful and make me wish I could take one of those misty morning walks.

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  16. These photos are beautiful, and I love the depth you suggest using the fog!

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  17. Beautiful texture work - just great!! :)

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  18. Your forest pictures are so remarkable. They look like paintings. I love the mysterious feel of the fog.

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  19. Gorgeous photos! I loved each and every one! I actually have a very similar photo as your 5th photo. Well done!

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