Mid-April in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about the flowering of the shrubs and small trees, especially the dogwoods (Cornus florida) and redbuds (Cercis canadensis). While the dogwoods bloom throughout the forest understory below 4000′, redbuds seem to prefer the disturbed edges of roads and treelines. Across from the Oconafuftee Visitor Center the roadside is awash with the fuchsia of this beautiful tree among the delicate green of spicebush and sprouting poplars. It was Bonnie’s birthday celebration in living color.
A focal length of 135mm, short telephotoland, gave me the angle-of-view I wanted to isolate a relatively small section of cove hardwood forest. By using an apreture of f/11 and focusing on the front of the foreground trees, I was able to create an area of sharpness with the depth-of-field available, but the background forest began to go a bit soft deeper in. An ISO of 100 and a shutter speed of 1/8th second gave me an overall slightly lighter-than-medium exosure.
Pointillism is just that sort impressionistic detail that has a softness about it. It really is a technique aimed at enhancing the brilliance of color, which is something a Smokies spring understands very well.
what a glorious celebration of Bonnie’s birthday. It’s so lacy and delicate.
Hello Michelle. It’s delightful to hear from you. I really appreciate your thoughtful comment. Yes, it was a wonderful way to celebrate Bonnie’s special day. We have always enjoyed photographing in the Park on Bonnie’s birthday, and this year was no exception. The redbud and dogwood this year were certainly putting on a show for her. Hope you are doing well and staying safe. Walk in Beauty.
Delightful image, Don. Beautiful delicate greens. And, I like the armature of the black and white tree trunks contrasting with the colors you capture. We’re being sung to here with the duet of dogwood and redbud, chromatic precursors to the sonic invasion of Brood X which will engulf us in just a few weeks! It will be wild.
Hey Ray. Its great to have you with us. I appreciate your thoughtful words in description of the Image and I especially like your lyrical and metaphorical thoughts of the eternal sounds of nature from season to season and how those delicate notes of early spring transform so quickly into the symphonic majesty of spring-in-full-swing moving into summer. Your descriptions are so apt for the times we are in and are about to enter. Thank you for pointing out the contrast of the tree trunks to the colors of the incipient foliage. I was keenly aware of that comparison as I framed this Image, hoping that my intent in both areas would be clear. Have an excellent weekend.
A beautiful display of spring. The trees look so delicate but send a powerful message that winter is winding down. The tiny green leaves and the redbud flowers are indeed Mother Nature’s pointillist painting… she is so talented! It looks like you found the redbuds at their peak. They are beautiful and the spring green leaves below complement the pinks. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Nancy T. How wonderful to hear from you and to read the description of your reaction to this composition. The pink and green – warm/cool – complimentarity were certainly on my mind, as well as the delicacy of the buds and new growth in relation to the winter they have just experienced. Even when she commits an unforced error and brings back the freezing cold to overlay an already moving new growing season, she always manages to make her course correction without a too great excess of harm. Wise lady she surely is. Hope you are taking good care and being very safe. Walk in Beauty.
Thank you All, again, for such wonderful and delightful descriptions and commentaries. I hope you are all having wonderful springs from West Tennessee to D.C., and North Florida in between (almost). We are about to enter the next phase of spring’s bounty and Beauty in these old mountains. I sincerely hope that wherever you are, your spring will continue spread its wonder before you and give you joy and peace. Walk in Beauty. Happy Earth Day, today and every day.