Still Finding Flowers

Most of my recent outings have been with the smaller camera in-hand. While I've been pleased with the results, there is a certain je ne sais quoi with the larger format images. Perhaps it is the higher quality lenses. Certainly the shallower depth of field contributes in many situations. Possibly the way I see compositions with the different aspect ratio contributes. Maybe there really is an ineffability to medium format images although this is much disputed. Nevertheless, I was missing the look of the images and the heft of a big camera and lens in my hands. So, today we return to carrying the heavier equipment in the field. 

Today we also confirm that is still possible to find flowers at their peak this time of year. While it is unlikely to last long, beauty still abounds.

Other flowers, noticeably past their prime can still be arresting in their colors and broken symmetry.

Of course, things besides flowers are happening. This vine, planted along someone's front fence has changed colors and produced fruit. I found the red stems and purple-blue berries to be somehow reminiscent of the color scheme in a horror movie. Such things no doubt contribute to the seasonal appeal of the juxtaposition of these colors.

With petals fading fast, this flower gives me the impression of a grand lady as she fades into the background of a dynamic family. The important parts are still here and working, but the fancy parts are failing as her time is passing.

This splash of seasonal color is rooted in the vine's strangle hold on the fence. A reminder that the price of beauty is often steep.

One particular house has a makeshift table in the front yard on which they put various plant/animal themed tableau. Sometimes this looks like someone was work in the yard and they just walked away for a moment. Other times, such as today, it is more obviously a decorative comment. In either case, it always fund to have a look.