The Gathering...

 

This is actually an autumn shot taken in a local cemetery. 

Today, we do the black & white. 

The Gathering.

Zebra tree

 

Okay, technically it's a zebra butterfly feasting on a purple blossom but there are funky vines circling the tree.  If you ever get a chance to check out the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, do it in the winter.  The contrast between cold snow outside and humid jungle indoors is wonderful.  

Shadows

 

The left shadow looks like it's trying to take a bite out of the center one.

I will survive...

 

When I saw that thin branch poking out of the side of the trunk, I Will Survive rolled through my head. It was a disco ball moment. 

I will survive, it says.

I insist upon it!

And a good Sunday to you all.

 

Loose-Flower Hornbeam...

 

I have a bit of a fascination with Bonsai. There was a good representation of it in one of the conservatories at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.

This is Loose-flower Hornbeam. Its training started in 1990. Japan & Korea/Birch Family

It throws me right into fantasy genre.

And magical places.

With wee beasties. 

Saturday!

Starfish

 That's what it looks to me - an arboreal starfish.

Moss and Birch

One tree

This reminds me of Elen's multiple personality tree.  It's interesting how some trees branch out sideways and others go straight up. 

Boarding house...

Heh.

Boarding house.

Maybe down under.

Sunday!

Tree by committee...

 

Sometimes, I look at this and see four separate trees. Other times, I look at it and see one tree. 

Tree by committee.

Saturday!

McDonald's Apples

 These trees were planted behind a McDonald's Restaurant somewhere in Ohio.  I'd hesitate to eat their apples.  They reminded me of the Enchanted Forest in Oz.

Spooky

Doesn't this look like some spectral hand reaching up through the trees?  A rigid deity?  It's blurry and washed out and gives me shivers.

BGSU Tree

I stole Theresa's time slot as a mutual friend of ours sent me this photo of a tree that is 257 year old! It lives at Bowling Green State University. Gorgeous!!

Captive...

Held captive by the light.

Sunday!

Line Dancing...

I can hear the music. Can you?

Saturday!

Casual Friday

These four trees are just standing around discussing their weekend plans.  Very casual.

Drawn in

I like the way the branches are backlit. It almost looks like they've been drawn in with a stick of charcoal

Lighting

The light was fantastic in my friend's back yard (yes, she lives inside a forest) and I spent ages trying to capture it. This is one of those attempts

Ghostly...

Being slightly out of focus, this image made the perfect ghostly shot. In black & white, of course.

And a good Sunday to you all.

Contrast...

The contrast in colour moved me to take this shot.

Dressed for date night, too. I'm smiling. 

Saturday!

Curvy

Did the tree curve toward the sun or did the wind have a hand in shaping it?