“There is something special about the first trillium of the year. As I walk the trails, I keep a keen eye open for this marvelous harbinger of spring, and when it see it, I know, warm days and beauty follow.” – Ed Lehming
Here it is, the first white trillium of the year. The original was a ‘nice’ photo, but I was looking for more, something to personalize it this year. This bizarre year of COVID-19, isolation, and emotions I still can’t process. So, I decided to render it as digital art, not something I do very often, but somehow it felt very appropriate today. I wanted more than a photo. I wanted something that connected me personally to this beautiful moment where I beheld this single, wonderful blossom. For me, some sign of hope of normality, and a future that I can look forward to.
I’m hoping that this image can bring some joy to others. Joy seems to be a rare commodity these days.
“As Trilliums fill my view, I take a deep breath and say farewell to winter.” – Ed Lehming
It’s that time at last. After a seemingly endless, cool spring, the first white trilliums have begun to open. They are still small and a bit sparse but they are a very welcome sight indeed.
Trilliums signal milder days ahead. They have been delayed by about a week, as days remained and dull. There has not been enough sunshine to warm the still chilly soil and prompt them into bloom.
Today’s hike took my back to the hardwood forests of Uxbridge’s North Walker Woods, a favourite place of mine to unwind and enjoy nature’s beauty. As I drove to the trailhead, I occasionally glanced into the forest seeking a splash of white, meaning trilliums might be blooming along the trail. It’s only been mild for one day and last week’s visit offered me red trilliums (wake-robins) and thousands of white trilliums just in bud, but not ready to open yet. I was very pleased to see so many in various stages of opening and look forward to the coming days where the hillsides will be filled with white.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/800 sec, f/14.0, ISO 250
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Nature’s gatherings; nothing by chance; each with purpose” – Ed Lehming
As I spend more time on the trails, more and more patterns become noticeable to me, what once seemed random, begins to fit into patterns. Such is the case with early spring blossoms, one follows the next in a steady, often cautious progression.
It begins with the first few leaves unfurling from the forest litter of leaves, each plant slowly reaching out for the energy of the sun, gradually warming. Then the first few flowers open, bringing a splash of colour to the dull grays and browns of the forest floor.
Amonth the first of these are Spring Beauties, their tiny size and low profile protects them from spring frosts. They may be small and delicate but the do provide among the first nutrients to flying insect like bees and wasps. Notice the bee happily feeding on one in the lower right corner? I didn’t see it as I composed the photo, but it was a pleasant surprise when I reviewed it later in the day.
Next are the Trout Lilies. They first show as a bright green carpet of green and brown mottled leaves which resemble trout skin, thus the name. They also stay low to the ground for some time before putting up blossoms, but once they do, they fill the forest with wonderful splashes of bright yellow, complimented by the pinks and purples of the Spring Beauties, their early spring companions.
I’m hoping to get back out in the next day or two to see the trilliums, as I have now exhausted all my recent photos.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/500 sec, f/11.0, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“All things change, it is inevitable, even the things that appear to be constants eventually pass into history. The cycles of time and nature cannot be stopped.” – Ed Lehming
I’ve written a few times about the beauty of beech leaves in the dead of winter. As other leaves have long since fallen to the ground, these leaves cling to the branches with incredible tenacity and offer much needed brightness to otherwise dull winter forests.
They hang on all winter long, and then, within days, they are gone, their purpose served. I’ve often wondered about this phenomenon and set out to understand it better. This spring I spend some time observing the ‘fall’ of the beech more closely and now understand the process better.
The previous years’ leaves are attached to the stem at a ‘bud point’. I’m sure there is a scientific term for this junction, but I’ll use my own expression here. Where other species’ leaves loose the connective fibres that attach the leaves, beech leaves do not. They remain connected to this ‘bud point’ all winter long. The connection is not broken till a new bud forms and pushes outwards, severing the connecting tissue. That’s why they all seem to fall off at the same time. Their cycle ends and another begins.
I can’t help but relate this analogy to what’s going on in our world right now. We are clinging with all out emotional strength to the world we have known for so many years and we will, by human nature, resist the change, each in our own fashion. But the change is already underway, all we can hope for is something better.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Sometimes nature creates its own compositions, using what’s on hand, usually with wonderful results.” – Ed Lehming
This is my second red trillium (wake-robin) photo, but I do like them so much. For those who have tried to photograph them, they tend to pose two challenges: first, red is difficult to expose properly against the greens and browns of the forest floor. Most images are overexposed or details are lost. Second, red trillium blossoms tend to droop or face the forest floor, so it’s tough to get a straight on shot, unless you are willing to get real low to the ground. With the more and more present ticks, many of us now hesitate to do this without taking special precautions.
This past Sunday, nature helped me out. It was a cold sleet filled day and I was surprised that they were even blooming; all the other spring flowers had closed for the day. However, despite the overcast sky, there was good diffused light to photograph by, meaning I did not risk blown-out or overly contrasty images. I was also helped out by a fallen branch that this blossom was resting on, showing the full face of a nicely formed blossom. The stick also runs diagonally through the frame making for a lovely, naturally occuring composition. With a few minutes properly framing the image for a good angle and light balance, the resulting photo is shown here.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/80 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Nature knows. Nature understands the cycles and adjusts.” – Ed Lehming
I was out last Sunday, Mothers Day, hoping to see even one or two open White Trilliums, that was not to be on that chilly, sleet filled day. It felt more like March than May and was in sharp contrast to the previous Sunday which was mild and sunny. Last week was filled with so much promise and so many spring flowers had begun to bloom as trilliums sat seemingly ready to open too.
If I pay attention, really pay attention, to the natural signs around me, I know there will be a delay, regardless of what I hope for and how nice a particular day may seem. The ferns are still in tight ‘knuckles’, not yet at the fiddlehead stage, and trees were in bud, but not leafing out yet. It’s a sure sign that frosty days are still coming, as these plants would be susceptible to frost damage of they opened too soon. Yes, the cycles continue, but the timing varies, nature knows and plants will not rush to open, knowing they will sustain irreparable damage. We as humans can learn a lot from them if we actually pay attention.
That said, the trilliums really are set to open soon. I this image the petals of the flower are clearly visible, but still tightly bundled to protect the petals from frost damage. I’ve suer they will fairly explode in the next few days as the temperatures warm up and remain warm, even overnight.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/250 sec, f/8.0, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“For no particular reason, the purity of Bloodroot blossoms brings a smile to my face.” – Ed Lehming
I have found myself returning to Bloodroot blossoms for as long as they last, which is not long. Perhaps it’s this very brevity that makes them so appealing to me. They bloom spectacularly for a single day. By the next day they are withered or gone completely, dropping their petals as the shroud that encases them opens further.
It’s a fond memory, recalling the first time I ever saw one, a splash of the purest white along the trail. I was really just starting to explore the native wildflowers in my area and had not seen one before, again, it may be simply due to the fleeting nature of the blossoms and my timing. I may simply have missed the narrow window in which they bloom. They also seem to favor some areas more than others, forming small clusters that fill a space and then disappear in the spaces between. There are a few spots that I return to year after year because I’m always assured of some blossoms, provided I time it right.
This year has been a bit odd, they were delayed by the cool and dry conditions, but were plentiful this past weekend when it was a bit warmer. It was so nice to see pristine blossoms like the one pictured here. Again, they are quite delicate and it does not take much to damage or wilt the blossoms, most have sustained some frost damage, but not this one, it’s about as perfect as they come, with the exception of the tiny bug deep inside the blossom, which I did not notice while composing the shot.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/160 sec, f/10.0 ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/160 sec, f/10.0 ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them. Mothers are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth.”
―
Mothers do not have it easy. They endure things that would make many give up, they weather the storm and are there for us when we need them, even if we don’t always know it. Despite all that is thrown at them, they still remain the most beautiful thing we can see.
That’s one of the reasons I chose this image, made only a few hours ago in a local forest. Despite unfavourable weather (it was a mere 4 degrees Celcius and sleeting when I made this image) these red trilliums or Wake-Robins were in full bloom this morning, while their white counterparts remained bundled up, waiting for warmer days. In fact, all the other wildflowers which had been blooming earlier in the week had pulled shut, but not these.
It seemed an appropriate image for this special day.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/180 sec, f/4.0, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Alien yet familiar, careful observation shows us things we had not expected.” – Ed Lehming
Blue Cohosh is one of the first wildflowers that made me begin to better understand the natural environment around me. When I started spending more deliberate time in the forest, starting to see it as a participant rather than a casual observer, I could not help but notice this purple-blue plants that emerge with the rest of the spring flowers but standout because their colour is so different.
Among the bright greens of the surrounding plants, these appear very out of place. As a botany newbie, I had no idea what they were, so I set out to find out what I was seeing. This simple act started me on a path to learning much more about my environment than I had thought possible. My standard routine now is to constantly seek out and study new finds.
Back to the Blue Cohosh. For the longest time, I did not even think they have flowers, because they are so small; as with many other plants, you need to look closely to see details that are at first not obvious or easily observable to the naked eye. The Blue Cohosh looks almost alien when you get close up. Bear in mind, these blossoms are tiny, less than a centimetre across and they are a deep purple-blue that makes it difficult to observe details. This is the first one of the season and not quite as plump as others I have seen, so I’m hoping to collect a few more images before this year’s bloom is finished.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/400 sec, f/10.0, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“After a long winter, spring flowers offer much-needed cheer to our lives.” – Ed Lehming
Honestly, I don’t get tired of these lovely spring blossoms and their variations. The hepatica I have observed over the years go from pure white to shades of pink and purple, I suspect driven by the various minerals in the soil.
This year they seemed to bloom a bit early and I was very surprised to see a few clumps blooming even before the Bloodroots. There is a fairly set and predictable pattern to blooms but this year has been a bit different. It’s been cool but drier than usual. I’ve also been self-isolating and have held off spending much time on the trails, primarily driven by the guilt of it being non-essential travel. As the weeks passed I decided it was essential to my mental health and have been out a few times since.
Seeing these little clusters of cheery blossoms has made a world of difference to me and I’m enjoying being able to share them with others who may be in the same boat of being confined to their homes and properties.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/500 sec, f/11.0, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“After years of honing my skills as a photographer, the phrase “Timing is Everything” still holds true.” – Ed Lehming
Over the years I have deliberately practiced preparedness. I’ve gotten familiar with my cameras and lenses. I know what each can and can’t do effectively and I have learned through many failures how to shoot in different lighting conditions, and in all sorts of weather. Why? Because unpreparedness is how once ina lifetime phots are lost.
While the photo I chose for today is not a once in a lifetime shot, it’s still very pleasing and I would not have been able to make it had I not been prepared and aware of my setup’s limitations.
I’m not generally a wildlife photographer and I don’t spend hours in wait for some of the fantastic shots made by my fellow photographers who specialize in this genre of photography have produced. I’m more of an opportunist; I like to capture the experiences that I have while out hiking or traveling. This also means I have to be ready for anything that presents itself, in this case, a beautiful woodpecker.
I had just about concluded my 6.5 km hike through Uxbridge Ontario’s, North Walker Woods, documenting the early spring blooms. I paused along the trail, satisfied with my collection of photos, took a drink of water from my water bottle, and slid my camera back into my pack, ready to hike out to the trailhead. The moment I took a step forward I heard the sound of a woodpecker calling close by. As I turned around, I saw this Yellow-Bellied Sap Sucker in a tree mere meters from me and only a few meters up the trunk, a rare occurrence. I moved slowly to get my camera out of my bag. Since I was out to shoot wildflowers, the lens was my 90mm macro lens. The nice thing with this lens is that at 90mm it does offer me some level of zoom and has an extraordinarily quick focus. Not the ideal lens for this situation, but it made the shot possible. After a few quick setting changes, I was ready to shoot.
This all took about 15 seconds and serves as an example of understanding your gear and how to react when an opportunity presents itself. In the end, I was able to get about five good shots before the woodpecker noticed me and took off. Do I wish I had my 70-200mm with me? Sure, I could have had an even better shot, but you have to work with what you have and I’m pleased with the outcome.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/160 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“The intricate details in nature are a thing to behold. The closer you look, the more wonderful those details become.” – Ed Lehming
For me, trout lilies mean spring is in full swing. The ground and air have warmed enough that these wonderful little flowers open up; one or two scattered randomly at first and then a profusion of yellow splashes seemingly everywhere.
The more I observe them the more subtle differences in appearance that I notice. In some, even close together, the petals are pure yellow, some have some brown markings, while others, like the one pictured here have quite a bit of brown. There is also a variation to the colouring of the stamen. In this example, the stamen is quite orange while others are yellow. There is such wonderful variation in a single species.
They are also fun to photograph as they require me to get down quite low to the ground to capture the details effectively. Shots from straight above are quite boring. The need to get down low also means that my fellow hikers often walk past me wondering why I am laying down. I now also have the added risk of acquiring ticks while doing this, something I have not had to concern myself with in the past.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/320 sec, f/9.0, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Small and delicate does not infer weakness, there is tremendous resolve to flourish in even the most tender of things.” – Ed Lehming
I’m always intrigued by scenes like this, delicate flowers or leaves that have found a hole in a leaf and then pry the hole hider as they grow. There seems to be no stopping them.
In this case, a Bloodroot blossom is opened up after pushing its way through a maple leaf. It seemed to be a natural frame for the shot and the blossom is nearly perfectly formed, despite its captivity.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/250 sec, f/9.0, ISO 800
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Even after years exploring the local forests, some new wonder presents itself to me.” – Ed Lehming
On my latest foray into the forest, I was hoping to capture a few more wildflowers, understanding that it’s a slow start to the spring bloom. I did see far more Bloodroot blossoms and the trilliums are advancing daily. Pretty much what I was expecting.
But, there are always surprises. Yesterday I was surprised by something new; a beautiful yellow trillium, fully opened. I’ve been along this stretch of trail for many years but have never noticed this. As I looked around, I found a second blossom. I’m not sure how I could have missed these. Perhaps it’s just by chance that I happened to be here at exactly the right time? In any case, I was so pleased to spot them and make a few images to remember them by.
I was also very lucky that the photos were even possible, as I was only carrying my light courier bag and hadn’t brought a spare battery. As it turned out, this was the last image I made before the battery died. Lesson learned, always bring at least some spare gear or miss out on chances like this.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/250 sec, f/9.0, ISO 800
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Pink whispers softly of love” – Ed Lehming
I realize that I have shifted my photographs from abstracts and forest paths but I’m finding that most of us are in desperate need of some brightness and what better way than flowers?
With all the anxiety and bad news we are surrounded with, I’m hoping that by sharing some of my own blossoms that I can bring some joy to others.
Today’s selection is a close up of some pink Chrysanthemums that were dropped off by neighbours around easter. They are still blooming nicely and bringing a splash of colour to our window.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/50 sec, f/20.0, ISO 200
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“In nature, all things come in their prescribed time. Nature delays deliberately, without explanation. In time, we see the reasons and they seem obvious.” – Ed Lehming
I think my perspective this spring is highly influenced by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. I live in Ontario, Canada and our provincial flower is the trillium, so I’m seeing a great analogy to the province ‘opening up’ the economy.
There are lots of trilliums along the trails right now, but they are mostly tightly bundled in their leaves, waiting for the conditions to be right to safely open as well. We can learn a lot from nature. Rather than rush into things, some caution is required or there is a risk of permanent damage. For trilliums, it’s frost damage, for our society, it’s many more months of lockdown or outright quarantine and unnecessary illness or deaths.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/20 sec, f/20.0, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“It’s often surprising that the seemingly delicate has unseen strength and resilience” – Ed Lehming
Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica) never cease to astound me. They are among the very first spring blossoms to open up, long before trilliums and other ephemerals. They bloom in even frosty conditions. I expect this has something to do with their diminutive size, which is not apparent in the photo, where I was trying to capture the flower detail.
There have been many years where I have been surprised at how early they bloom, but are good indicators that other blossoms are soon to follow, even if the conditions don’t seem advanced enough, they seem to know.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/250 sec, f/8.0, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“It is hard to be defensive toward a danger which you have never imagined existed.”
―
It is indeed interesting watching this year’s spring emergence of wildflowers. Some, like the Hepatica pictured above, are designed to weather the uncertainties of spring. The many tiny hairs on the delicate new blossom protect the plant from spring frosts by providing a layer of insulation. I also noticed that plants this spring seem a bit more cautious in their opening. Many remain tightly bundled up and almost hesitant to expose themselves to the elements, risking permanent damage from frost.
I think we have a lot to learn from nature in rushing too quickly to expose ourselves to something more damaging. What we are experiencing these days is something altogether new, for which we are not prepared. We will emerge from this, in due time, but carefully measured steps remain important to ensure that we thrive.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/500 sec, f/11.0, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Human spirit is the ability to face the uncertainty of the future with curiosity and optimism. It is the belief that problems can be solved, differences resolved. It is a type of confidence. And it is fragile.”
―
As I observed these dried beech leaves a few days ago I saw many allusions to my current state of emotional well-being and my pursuit of calm and hope. There have been days recently when I have felt dried out, bereft of joy, and just waiting for the next message of bad news to push me to the brink. I’ve felt like curling up and hoping this all passes me by, trembling in the wind.
Yet, at the same time I realize just how tenacious these leaves can be. They cling to the branches all winter long as other leaves have long since fallen to the litter of the forest floor. I’ve previously commented on how the beech leaves are bright and colourful beacons of cheer in the otherwise dull, gray winter landscape.
It’s about perspective, I suppose; a matter of directing my thoughts to the positive and the belief that we as humans are able, resilient, and fully capable of solving this most recent problem. I need to remain confident and focus on the image of tenacity rather than fragility. I also know that these wonderful leaves will soon fall as well, but released by new growth rather than death, a continuing cycle of ebbs and flows; a balance. It’s all about how we look at it.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
―
In these uncertain times, the Tolkien quote resonates with me. There are so many things that are fair, and there are more and more every day. I’m making it my habit to actively seek them out.
Yesterday, I finally ventured back onto the local trail because they bring me joy and refresh me. They are infrequently travelled and allow lots of space if a fellow hiker happens to pass by. My purpose, aside from just getting outdoors is exactly what Tolkien alludes to; the quest for signs of beauty and renewal.
From my many years outdoors, I know the cycles of spring and which plants flower at specific times. Bloodroot is usually among the first to bloom, preceded by Coltsfoot. I was a bit disappointed as I scanned the forest floor hopefully. I saw many Bloodroots emerged from the dry brown debris of the forest floor. Usually they are in full bloom by now. After hiking a few more kilometers I was greeted by this beauty, still tightly wrapped in its leafy shroud. yet in full bloom; just what I needed; a gift of beauty and of hope. The cycle is delayed but I know with certainty that it will continue, just as nature always does. The symbolism of a gradual ‘opening’ inspires with me as we begin looking forward to something closer to ‘normal’.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/25 sec, f/20.0, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“As doom and gloom pervade our lives it’s difficult to feel freshness. Yet, nature shows us that just as one thing dies off, another appears. Our path need not be wearisome if we open our eyes in expectation to the new rather than the old.” – Ed Lehming
Such was my experience today, as I returned to my beloved trails. It’s nearing the end of April, the world is locked in a battle with a pandemic and much of the news is less than positive. The forest is my source of energy and I have missed it so much through this uncertainty.
My expectations as I set out was that I would see a few of the early blooming spring ephemerals. At first not much was visible but I soon noticed some trilliums starting to emerge, some even had traces of flower buds, but it will be a while before they actually bloom. I was hoping to see a few Bloodroot by this time of year, but most were still tightly bundled up.
As my hike progressed I started noticing a few Spring Beauties blooming among the patches of Trout Lily leaves. The Trout Lilies will also be a while before they blossom. I figured that was the best I could hope for, as it has been rather cool this spring and being home I have fallen out of sync with the timing of the spring blooms.
Then, as I resigned to this rather scant showing of blossoms, I saw a splash of white against an old log and could not believe the that I was seeing a Hepatica (Sharp-Leafed Liverwort) blooming this early, and more advanced than other plants that generally bloom a few days before them.
The bright, fresh white against the rotting log brought me back to my recent mood, looking desperately for some brightness to see me through these times. This beautiful flower was just what I needed, but I would not have seen it had I not been actively looking for it. So, I will head into the next few days with the same philosophy of keeping my eyes and ears open to beauty and freshness.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/25 sec, f/20.0, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”
―
Since I’m quite limited in my travels these days, so I’m spending time enjoying memories of last year. I’m recalling vividly with each image the sights, sounds and aromas of the places I visited. In this case, my trip to Spain.
Yesterday I shared an image of Montserrat and the beautiful vistas it offered. That image is looking outward from the monastery high on the mountain’s slopes. Today’s image is looking upwards, towards the monastery, precariously perched on one of the cliffs and also showing the cable cars which transport you to that cliff.
As I stood waiting to board the next cable car, I could not help but imaging what it would have been like for the early monks to build the monastery in such a location. Just transporting materials would have been quite a challenge.
This was a strange day, as I have already noted. It varied between high cloud and brightness, which afforded me this photo, and torrential downpours. With this variability came thick patches for fog that clung to the hillside, often obscuring most of the buildings.
Nikon D800
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G I AF-S VR Zoom @ 185 mm
1/100 sec, f/5.0 ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Clouds define my mood today, but they are as temporary as sunshine and offer balance and perspective” – Ed Lehming
I have not posted anything for a few days, I’ve limited my social media activity and found myself drawn inward. It’s a very strange feeling lately, even for someone who tends to value solitude.
The trails I usually hike on are open to me, but I feel a sense of guilt driving to them. We’re told to stay at home except for necessities. I find myself reviewing photos from the past year, seeking inspiration, which eludes me. Each day blends into the next. My work keeps me occupied during the week but it’s monotonous and I seek something to focus on, a problem to solve, a process to improve, but that also requires inspiration.
The world has slowed down during this “Great Pause” as I am now calling it. The present and future are veiled in clouds. There is no clear direction and like being in a thick fog, my other senses reach out past what my eyes can’t see. I listen for some sound of clarity, the feel of something to hold onto, the scent of change, for something to pull me forward. But, the clouds persist.
The image I chose for today is from my trip to Spain late last summer. Of the twenty one days we spent in Spain, it rained only one day, the day we had chosen to visit Montserrat, just north of Barcelona. It was one of those days you simply can’t plan for anything for more than a few minutes, the kind of day that varies from a fine mist, brightening with a promise of sunlight to full downpour. This was the day we spent mainly outdoors on this spectacular mountain with its oddly shaped rocks and beautiful monastery.
We made the most of it and despite the rain and the mist I was able to make a few photos that showed the mountain and surrounding countryside nicely. I’m trying to do the same thing as we live through the current COVID-19 pandemic. I’m trying to grab hold of the moments of brightness as it offers itself because I don’t know when the next downpour is coming or when the sun is finally going to break through, even though I know it will, eventually.
iPhone 7 back camera @ 4.0mm
1/1000 sec; f/1.8; ISO 20
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
―
As I stated yesterday, I’m finding myself quite reflective these days. As I review my photos I’m really struck by all the wonderful experiences the past year has provided. I’m grateful to have the health and resources to be able to travel and experience the world, and grateful for the ability to visually document these experiences.
Many of the most joyful moments in our travels have been the quiet and simple things, like standing in an ancient olive grove in the foothills of Spain’s Sierra Nevada. This ancient grove, just outside of Granada, is several hundred years old and bounded to the south by rugged mountains. As I stood there, I could imagine the farmers of old planting this grove in the shadow of the same mountains. The dry and sparse soil provided just enough to allow these trees to flourish and bear fruit which produces some of the finest olive oil in the world. It was not a quick process but by having just enough of the right minerals the trees bore a better quality yield than might have been imagined.
So, on reflecting on these scenes, I’m reminded that even though our travels are far from luxurious, they provide us with these small experiences, shared with friends and family that have yielded more than we could have imagined, and I am forever thankful for that.
Nikon D800
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G I AF-S VR Zoom @ 98mm
1/1000 sec, f/16.0 ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Someday we will look back on this moment and it will forever remind us to never take the little things for granted. It will remind us to hug with all our hearts, to pause to appreciate holding someone’s hand, and to live in the moments that we are surrounded by others.”
– Laura Jones
In the past few days I have found myself spending an inordinate amount of time going through recent photos. The photos I am spending more time with lately are not the images I use for my art, but rather photos that include my travels with friends and family.
I’m looking at them more deliberately now. What were at the time simple travel snapshots, trying to quickly capture a moment, are now more precious. There are details in these simple images that make me smile.
I chose this image of a Cozumel sunset from last January. Even though there are no people visible in the image at the time I made the photo, I was in the company of much of my family and close friends as we gathered on the beach to watch the closing of the day. This simple moment was so enjoyable for us. As I look at the photo, I can hear the voices and the laughter and sense the joy we all shared together. It was a moment of shared peace, a moment when the entire world stood still, a moment of connectedness.
In the current situation, with its lockdowns and isolation, it’s these moments that stand out the most and the ones I hope to revisit in the not too distant future. For now, I will revel in the images and the memories they hold.
iPhone 7 back camera @ 4.0mm
1/340 sec; f/1.8; ISO 20
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Even in the darkness and the tangles of life, light seems to find its way to us.” – Ed Lehming
This image was made in January, during a family vacation to Mexico. I was experimenting with my deliberate camera movement (DCM) technique using the jungle foliage as my subject. It’s a bit different than the forests in my area as the jungle is quite tight compared to the wider spaces of hardwood forests There are also less vertical elements and the light is so much different.
I got a lot of shots that just looked ‘blurry’ rather than painterly and most were significantly over or underexposed. After a few tries I had landed on the right settings and made a series of images that where interesting but nothing really ‘stuck’. However, this one particular image happened to catch the reflected light of the setting sun as a bright flash in the shadows.
The light was not something I particularly noticed as I made the image, which is often the case in these abstract shots. However, these elements seem to always be there and I must subconsciously detect them as I compose the image.
As I was looking for material to post, this particular image stood out, given the mood of the world today. People seem to be struggling with all the unknowns and navigate their way through these days of uncertainty. The little flash of light reminds me that all is not completely dark, if you deliberately look for the good things and focus on them. Suddenly, the tangle and darkness of our world offers some hope, and I’m personally encouraged by that.
Nikon D800
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G I AF-S VR Zoom @ 135mm
1/4 sec, f/10.0 ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Caribbean warmth rolled from the sea, caressing this ancient land as emerald waves lapped the shore.” – Ed Lehming
Today I really felt a need to retreat back to fond memories. It feels like so long ago but was only months.
Our group set out for a day trip to Mexico’s Tulum ruins along the Yucatan coast. Tulum is a rare Mayan ruin that sits on the coast, rather than inland as most are. There are many theories and histories about this place. One thing that is certain, throughout its life Tulum was a trading port and even had a primitive lighthouse to guide seafaring traders safely through the coral reefs. It was also in its most ancient history believed to have been a sacred site occupied by priests and astronomers.
We found the visit very interesting but what I really loved was the view across the water and the bright colours of the water and foliage as they meet the rocky coastline.
The image above is a digital painting made from one of my photos.
“The cycle continues, winter leads to spring and the ground drinks in the warmth of the brightening sunshine. Traces of winter remain as distant memories” – Ed Lehming
Nowadays I’m even more appreciative of the beautiful outdoor spaces so close to home. It also helps that the snow and ice is gradually receding. Not gone,as there were some quite treacherous stretches that made me happy to have my ‘icers’ on.
But, there were several clear stretches of open, leaf-covered ground and even a few hearty sedges beginning to peer through. It won’t be long till spring is in full swing.
It is so different this year though. With all the focus on COVID-19 and “social distancing” some of the anticipated joy of spring is missing. On reflection, the only real difference is in my perception. Driving to the trailhead, I’m feeling a bit apprehensive. Am I doing the right thing by venturing out? I get to the trailhead and there are a disproportionate number of cars for this time of year. Clearly, I’m not the only one who needed to get outdoors. As I start my hike, I notice very few tracks and when I get to the first icy section, the sparse footprint turn back; I realize that these are not the true ‘hikers’, simply people wanting to be outside, with no intention of entering the formal trail system. They are just looking around, likely unfamiliar with this area.
During my five kilometer hike, I meet one other person, heading the other direction. WE exchange a brief hello in passing and continue on our way. Each enjoying some quiet time in nature and watching the earth continue it’s cycles, oblivious to what’s happening in the human world.
As I emerge from the trail, refreshed and a few new photos on my camera, the trailhead is still crammed with cars, but nobody in sight. A good day to recharge.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD @ 70 mm
1/4 sec, f/32, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
“Glad memories of days recently past bring joy as I recall days of travel, friends, and the bright colours of distant lands.” – Ed Lehming
This seems like a distant memory right now. In the days of self-isolation I’m recalling our recent trip to Spain with such fondness. Even though today dawned bright and cool, the colours and activity of our first full day in Spain comes back. I find myself looking at photos filled with crowds of people talking to each other, dining in cafés, and simply enjoying the warm days of late summer.
This image is taken looking across Girona’s Rio Onyar, with the massive Cathedral of Girona dominating the scene. I simply love the bright colours of the riverside dwellings and the deep blue of the sky.
As I review my many photos of that trip, I will share photos and memories. Even though I really don’t consider myself a travel photographer, perhaps these images can bring some joy into others lives as well.
Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF A1N6II @ 19mm
1/400 sec, f/10.0, ISO 400
For more images like this, please visit my website (images are available for purchase)
http://www.edlehming.com
Thursday Doors – March 19, 2020
Plaça del Rei – Barcelona
These doors, as do many places in the Gothic Quarter of Old Barcelona have been witness to many historical events. The story with this particular door, which is a courtyard entrance to a former royal palace is supposedly the door the Queen Isabella came through when she delivered her commission to Christopher Columbus, on these steps, to set out to the new world.
As I travelled Spain late last summer the many crossroads of history that were a blur to me in school all came together. In the same year as Columbus set out for America (1492 AD) the final Moorish stronghold in Granada surrendered, making Spain a Christian country once more. That coupled with Columbus and future explorers conquest of the Americas set Spain up for a meteoric rise in power and wealth. It’s an absolutely fascinating period in European history that I plan to research further.
It seemed that every town we visited was a further immersion in a very interesting history that I was quite sad that I was not aware of, except at a very superficial level.
Ed Lehming Photography 
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