Winter in Black and White

How lovely is photography in black and white that enhances the beauty of nature.  Trees speak of their age, beauty and individuality in this media.  Whether through film, digital, or infrared, HDR processing or art, it is much desired and loved and becomes a favorite in our galleries.  This coming Spring JayJacy Photography, HDRChic and RealArtPhotography will photograph the Virginia Arboretum at Blandy Farm and other historical gardens of Virginia in Black and White Media for our Historical Gardens Art on Canvas Project.

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Winter in the Boulevard

THE FROST has settled down upon the trees
And ruthlessly strangled off the fantasies
Of leaves that have gone unnoticed, swept like old
Romantic stories now no more to be told.

The trees down the boulevard stand naked in thought,
Their abundant summery wordage silenced, caught
In the grim undertow; naked the trees confront
Implacable winter’s long, cross-questioning brunt.

Has some hand balanced more leaves in the depths of the twigs?
Some dim little efforts placed in the threads of the birch?—
It is only the sparrows, like dead black leaves on the sprigs,
Sitting huddled against the cerulean, one flesh with their perch.

The clear, cold sky coldly bethinks itself.
Like vivid thought the air spins bright, and all
Trees, birds, and earth, arrested in the after-thought
Awaiting the sentence out from the welkin brought.*
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Photography: Copyright, JayJacy Photography ©2014-2018 All Rights Reserved – No Reblogs Please. Thanks

*D.H. Lawrence (1885–1930)

A Walk on Dogwood Lane

The incredibly beautiful Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida) trees are blooming on Dogwood Lane. They are the official State Tree and Flower of the Commonwealth of Virginia and what a sight when in bloom. The large evergreens and historic trees served as a wonderful canvas background for these beauties.  Our spring photo walks in Virginia have garnered a large cache of beautiful images and the cold, late snow and plentiful rain has made an impact on the flowering blooms.  Truly this is the time to have your gear at the ready!

Dogwood Blossoms*

TO dreamy languors and the violet mist
Of early Spring, the deep sequestered vale
 Gives first her paling-blue Miamimist,
Where blithely pours the cuckoo’s annual tale
Of Summer promises and tender green,
Of a new life and beauty yet unseen.
The forest trees have yet a sighing mouth,
Where dying winds of March their branches swing,
 While upward from the dreamy, sunny South,
A hand invisible leads on the Spring.

His rounds from bloom to bloom the bee begins
 With flying song, and cowslip wine he sups,
Where to the warm and passing southern winds,
Azaleas gently swing their yellow cups.
Soon everywhere, with glory through and through,
The fields will spread with every brilliant hue.
But high o’er all the early floral train,
Where softness all the arching sky resumes,
The dogwood dancing to the winds’ refrain,
In stainless glory spreads its snowy blooms.

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*George Marion McClellan