Yep, that would be April, ducking out too quickly hoping to escape the end-of-month abstract toll. And while I was going to do some pun about the other meaning of “toll” since I was completely unprepared less than two hours ago, I don’t think our features this month are all that bad, really. A little too much the same, perhaps, but passable, especially for all having been shot just now to meet the deadline. At least if you ask me, and since I’m running the show…
So, let’s see here, we have this:
The star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) that was growing at the old place got transplanted too late last year to really kick in, but it’s making up for lost time this year. The flowers are quite curious when seen very close, seeming to turn inside-out as they open spirally. Might have to try a time-lapse someday…
And then:
One of the newer Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) planted last year, though shorter than I am, has produced a serious crop of samaras, considered a seed pod but technically a fruit, and I went in close for the overlap. Meanwhile, both resident Japanese maples, the ones already here when we moved in, have sported a serious batch of young on the ground underneath their canopies, all new maples that The Girlfriend is trying to foster into full trees. We’ll see what happens, but so far, so good.
Further:
We have planted two new oak-leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) now, both appearing to be doing well, and both started to blossom out already – this is the first, and largest.
I have to admit, the latest iteration of the macro softbox is holding its own quite well, having been used for all of these (including below.) Directional enough light to have shadows and shaping, yet diffuse enough to illuminate widely and not harshly at all, filling in shadows pretty well. Groovy.
And finally:
Actually this was much better than expected, and is not cropped at all. These swamp maple (Acer rubrum) leaves just stood out, almost separate elements and looking just about like paper cutouts attached to the page rather than a photo. Really, I was after the colors more than anything and wasn’t considering this for an abstract entry, but it turned out to be the best when the background simply vanished.
Say, “Au revoir,” to April, at least in about 23 hours, and get ready for May’s onslaught. Should be fun.