Recently, I’ve spent some time mining my photo library for images to use in a couple different projects. While I was down that hole, I took advantage of the process to build some collections of some of my favorite photos and post them on their own web page. I hope the photos help inspire people to see prairies as something worth caring about. Feel free to send the link to anyone who hasn’t yet been bitten by the prairie bug. (Maybe don’t use that phrase with them, though.)
Now, on to this week:
One of the best things about being a photographer is that it encourages me to seek out and appreciate beauty in the world around me. The serenity that comes from that exercise has become a necessity in my life. Geez, that sounds sappy, huh? I can’t help it. It really is a big deal to me.
Last week, I made two trips to my favorite stretch of Lincoln Creek, which runs right through town here in Aurora, Nebraska. It’s not what most people would call a “pretty” stream along most of its length. In fact, many people would probably call it more of a storm drain than a stream. In the fall, though, a lot of the bare dirt on its steep eroded banks is covered by fallen leaves. That spruces it up a little (even though the leaves are from silver maples, not spruce trees – hardee har har).
During my two visits last week, I spent a couple blissful hours admiring the many thousands of leaves floating on the water, searching for photo compositions I liked. I was able to forget about the rest of the world for a little while and just focus on finding beauty. I highly recommend it – with or without a camera.
Here is a very small selection (percentage-wise) of the photos I took during those two trips. If you want to make a little game out of looking through the photos, see if you can find the one leaf that’s included in two photos. I’m pretty sure there’s just the one. You’re also welcome to just enjoy the photos without trying to win a game. It’s up to you. Also, I’m really sorry about that awful “spruce it up” joke.
The Prairie Ecologist 
These photographs are really lovely. The yellows and tans of the leaves set against the dark blue background is beautiful. These would make a nice set of notecards — as a fundraiser for The Nature Conservancy.
I agree on the notecards! These photos spoke straight to my heart this morning Chris! Indescribable! Thank you for adding more beauty to the world ❤️
Nice pics of silver maple leaves.
Acer saccharinum has always been sort of a “trash” tree to me, owing to nothing more than how prolific it is in my haunts in southern lower Michigan.
Interesting observation – probably a third of the silver maples on my farm feature striking red autumn foliage, while none of my red maple develop red leaves at all – strictly dingy yellow.
Yes! A woman walked by me when I was taking a photo in our local park. She turned around, came to stand by me, and said “Oh, it is beautiful, isn’t it?”. She then went on.
Your photography is breath-taking. I hope you have made books and / or sold at least a few prints. More than deserved.
Jamie
Jamie Vesay Location Scout | Manager | Fixer JamieVesay@gmail.com
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Silver maple leaves are also decorating the path by the creek where I walk most days <3 Of your photos, I love the third one down the best, of the two leaves. It was good to hear of your happy hours looking at leaves. It is NOT sappy, but normal human behavior. Keep up the good fun!
Howdy, what a coincidence! I recently collected leaves too and discovered a way to preserve some that I especially like. If you mix 1 part vegetable glycerin (can buy at most places that sell essential oils (my local grocery store has it in the apothecary aisle) with 2 parts water,mix well add/submerge leaves,into the mixture (may have to weight them down) and soak them for at least 3 days. You’ll get leaves that won’t destruct. Then you can spread them on your table for holiday decor or use them in other projects, like making note cards. Thanks for the great blog!
Happy yuletide!