Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Forest Ablaze

For three perfect evenings just before the summer solstice, Kali and I walked the same route through "my" preserve.  As we neared home, I noticed that beams from the low-setting sun were penetrating deeply into the forest and setting it aglow. Naturally, I didn't have my camera with me the first evening, and I forgot to carry it along on the second as well.  But, I didn't make the same mistake a third time.  On June 19, 2013, I captured these dramatic images, which are even more impressive when they're enlarged (if I do say so myself).

I'm most satisfied with the first image, but the second, taken just before the beams disappeared, is more atmospheric.  I've been meaning to share them with my followers, but keep forgetting that I have the images in my archive.  I hope you enjoy them.

9 comments:

packrat said...

Beautiful, Scott. The images really do give the illusion of a forest ablaze.

Mark P said...

Wow, those are nice. They make your preserve look like an enchanted forest. I'm glad you remembered to post them.

Scott said...

Thanks, Mark and Packrat. The lighting was so dramatic on the second evening (when I had forgotten to bring the camera) I could have kicked myself, but I redeemed myself on the third evening.

Anonymous said...

Love those images. That light is so beautiful.

Jain said...

Fantastic!

When I saw your headline, I thought "prescribed burn," but these are better.

Scott said...

Robin Andrea: The light really was beautiful--almost prismatic and magical.

Scott said...

Jain: Thank you! We're surrounded by too many expensive houses for the municipality to allow us to do a controlled burn, so any real burning that would occur around here would be accidental (and catastrophic, to tell the truth).

I was thinking about you yesterday, actually. I'm a member of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and received their latest newsletter, which included a map of the conservancy's coverage area. In the southwest, the organization works in Huron County. I don't know if that's your county, but it's not far regardless. Seeing that brought you to mind--in a very good way. Thanks for staying in touch a bit; I still miss your posts.

Jain said...

Hi Scott, it was nice of you to think of me. I don't always comment but I never miss a post here.

I moved to Lake Superior's south shore recently. I'll let you know if I start a new blog - there's certainly enough to photograph here.

Take care.

Scott said...

Thanks for your update, Jain. Take lots of pictures--and keep warm this winter!