Weekly Photo Challenge: FRESH and Travel Theme: SPRING
“See as a child sees. With freshness and acknowledgement of wonder.”
Minor White
(4 Photos)
Our challenge this week, as spring once again breathes new life into our longer, warmer days, is FRESH. Kiawah Spring (as highlighted by Ailsa on her challenge this week) brings nesting birds, newborn fawns, verdant green grasses and blooming blossoms. But we are right on the cusp of the season at the moment and those wonderful gifts are still a bit elusive. So this week I’ve featured instead a favorite series from last spring – a macro study of an agave plant still showing beads of water from a refreshing spring rain.
“Thy friendship makes us fresh.”
William Shakespeare
Agave are often thought to be members of the cactus family, I suppose because of their prickly edges. In fact, they are closer to their cousin, the aloe. Interestingly, while aloe is often used to treat skin irritation, the agave is known to cause it. A nasty case of dermititis can result from touching the juice of the plant, and its effects can be felt up to a year later. On the other hand, it is known to have been treasured as a food source for prehistoric tribes in the US southwest including the Hohokam and Navajo peoples.
“If art has a purpose, it is to interpret life, reproduce it in fresh visions.”
Catherine Drinker Bowen
In fact, my agave study resulted from a photo shoot with professional photographer Brenda Tharp, who inspired us take a fresh look at the beauty around us despite the rainstorm that might otherwise have spoiled our sunrise shoot. I will admit, as those who follow Travels and Trifles know, that I am not a morning person. Getting up for a sunrise shoot only to see black clouds and rain is not a combination that puts me in a happy state. But thanks to Brenda’s irrepressible good nature and excellent leadership skills, I learned the look beyond the obvious and find the gifts that the rainstorm brought to us that day.
“If you exchange one form of wisdom for another, you obtain fresh knowledge, and at the same time keep what you possessed before.”
The Talmud
Let us be thankful for the cold of winter; only because of it do we appreciate the freshness of the spring that inevitably follows. Let us also be thankful for the rainstorms of spring, which bring the freshest of her bounty. For more interpretations of the Fresh and Spring challenges, click on the links.
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Your macro study of the agave makes me want to dust off my macro lens! I love the beads of water on the plant, and if it wasn’t morning here would enjoy these photos with a little nectar from the agave tequilana species. It was also great to hear you mention Brenda Tharp, as I went to Egypt the first time with Amer. Photography and she was one of pros ~ talented and very nice. Cheers Tina to a great weekend.
How fun that you shot with Brenda, she stayed w me while she was here and was great company. I think a bit of tequila would be a great choice from this lovely plant Randall!
Nothing quite like a nice tequila ~ use to be the drink of choice during harvest season way back when… 🙂
Tina, these are beautiful.
Many thanks Jim
Fab shots Tina. Especially ‘green & yellow’
Thanks Madhy!
Beautiful macros Tina!
Thanks Uday!
🙂 The first pictures expresses freshness so well that I almost get goose bumps – it looks almost chilly! Beautiful! 🙂
Happily we are now done with chilly and soon will be missing it as southern humidity sets in! Thanks for stopping by Happyface!
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Your photo/quote pairing exemplary. Lovely photos, deep thoughts. Can’t beat it!
Thanks very much Ruth!
Incredibly imaginative shots, Tina 🙂 There’s an Abstract challenge they would be perfect for too.
Thanks Jo! Will check it out.
Stunning images, Tina.
I love the 1st and 3rd images particularly. The light is just magical.
Thank you Vicki, the light really was magical once the rain had stopped.
You are always taking “a fresh look at th beauty around us” and making us do the same. Thanks T
😊😊 thanks Miss Linda!
Beautiful photos!
Thanks indigo boy!
Wonderful shots. I love the drip. I wondered what agave was. Thanks for the info as well as the beautiful pictures.
My pleasure Marie, thanks for stopping by!
Enthralled with the close up photos of the agave… Refreshing interpretation on the theme Tina!
Thanks Atureaud!
fantastic images, very abstract.. c
Thanks Celi – sometimes something a bit different has its own appeal, don’t you agree?!
Great closeups! And I love your Minor White quote as well! Are you a fan of his work?
Best
Leslie
Thanks Leslie – I’m a fan of anyone who can make a profound statement seem so simple! And yes, I admire his work, particularly his landscapes.
Gorgeous macros Tina. I love the Shakespeare quote, which could easily apply to the virtual friendships we all make with each other through our shared love of life, love and the beauty all around us. Have a great week 🙂
Many thanks Andrew! Yes the virtual friendships are a lovely by-product of this whole blogging thing, and a very pleasant surprise indeed. A wonderful week to you too!
Lovely as always, Tina! 🙂
Thank you Grace!
These are fabulous! Detail, texture vivid; composition striking. More macros please!!!
Many thanks Amy – lovely compliment!!
Nicely detailed shots – I like the agave plant – a great structural plant. And I like spring 😀
Me too, and me too 🙂 Thanks Jude
Wonderful interpretation, Tina! Love your agave drip!
My pleasure Svetlana, glad you enjoyed!
Beautiful shots, Tina. Well worth the early morning call. The agave does look rather menacing with its spiky leaves, and oh dear, rub it the wrong way and you will the effects for a long time to come :O So it’s a case of “see no touch” in the presence of this plant. Happy Spring. Enjoy the warmth coming your way. We’re on the cusp of winter here in Melbourne 🙂
Thanks so much Mable – somehow the early morning wake-up is always well worth it in the end but I still dislike the alarm at 5 !! Sorry your winter is soon to be upon you. Hopefully it’s much milder than here in the states. My area is fairly tropical so we have a bit of cold but nothing like the midwest or the northeast thank goodness!
So, we’ll meet up at 7 tomorrow morning for coffee and to discuss agave vs aloe? LOL! I always love all the thought you put into your posts, Tina.
🙂 I have a meeting at 9:00 and I’m not even happy about that hour LOL!!! Thanks Lois.
And I on the bottom of the world am relishing the coolness and fresshness of the early mornings here on the south coast of oz….beautiful pics! : )) trees
Enjoy your Aussie spring which I suppose we would think of as fall – oh I’m SO confused!!! Thanks for stopping by Trees 🙂
really refreshing & new…..just love these photos….so happy spring is finally upon us!!!
Thanks very much April – and Happy spring to us all!!!
Wonderful macros!!! And the first one is a super-shot – I love this spring-mini-“landscape” 😉
Thanks very much Truels, glad you enjoyed.
Stunning shots and beautiful quotes. Thanks, Tina!
Thanks so much Patti, glad you enjoyed!
Well all of your followers should thank Brenda because her inspiration and guidance have resulted in stunning shots. They also show the value of observing closely and fit perfectly with your first quote. I remember that feeling of the world being new and fresh & am always looking for experiences that enable me to feel it again.
Thanks Maamej, she was a wonderful mentor and very inspiring. I still remember many of her lessons both large and small.
Lovely, lovely shots, Tina. And so well quotes and wisely worded. Welcome Spring! (Today was more a return to winter, though … 😦 ) Spring, do you hear us, please come, you’re weeeelcome.!:-)
Thank you Dina! I’m happy to report that spring is here to stay where I live, but so far it’s been rather a wet one! You know what they say about April showers tho, so hopefully the flowers are sure to follow!!
Is it aloe vera? I am not so expert in biology.. If it is, it’s one of plants with multifunctions for health.. Nice photos, Tina..
Hi Nurul, no not aloe but a closely related plant. Thanks for stopping by!
First one is my fav. Peacefully pretty monochromatic!
Thanks Diane! It was a fun day, watery start notwithstanding!!
Love the personal touch in here with these lovely photos Tina … you have taken some glorious morning sunrise shots but I do appreciate it just doesn’t happen EVERY time with weather conditions ! Let’s say a big hello to Spring !
Many thanks Poppy – and amen/about time on greeting spring!!
Great photos and quotes – as you always have. Especially fond of the first one.
What a nice comment, thanks very much!
Great post. I was especially drawn to the first one. It’s mysterious.
Thanks Jane – I liked the raindrops on that one myself.
Love the green/yellow one. I agree with you on the season change – each one ushers in another with it’s own beauty
Thanks Nora – my favorite also 🙂
Lovely photos Tina. It is indeed because of the winter we can appreciate the spring. It’s been glorious here in the UK the last few days.. may it continue! 🙂
May it continue indeed Adrian. I think winter is finally finished, at least where I live and hopefully for you too.
Great photos, Tina! Love the angles of these photos. Very cool!
Thanks Amy, glad you enjoyed this one.
You did good – the pictures all turned out great! Richmond is also on the cusp of spring and I need to get my post finished from last weekend’s shoot before the trees all leaf out!
Nancy
Thanks Nancy! It was a really good lesson in turning lemons into lemonade 🙂
These are fabulous! I especially live the first two shots -Agave close-up and flowers – they have a very abstract look. I actually love to shoot in the rain – and after – and the cloudier the better. I have attempted with camera in one hand and umbrella in the other – a true balancing act – I also try to balance the umbrella on my head – sounds crazy but it worked a few times. Rain and clouds can be very wonderful!
I agree Debby, I love shots in the rain, especially abstracts near the water. But not when I’ve awakened at 5 to catch a sunrise! You can make great rain shots ANY time – I’d have preferred to have slept a bit longer 😄
Greats pics!
Many thanks!
hi tina, love how you have implemented the theme.
Thank you Robert – appreciate your visit and comment.
Nicely captured close ups of a succulent that intrigues.
Thanks Sally – yes, a most interesting specimen.
When we first came to Arizona, there was a beautiful agave in our front yard. After a couple of years, it developed this huge stalk. At that point, our landscaper promptly pulled the plant. It was then I learned of the plant’s life cycle. Like a salmon, it puts everything into that last burst of reproductive energy and then passes.
Beautiful images of mother nature’s handiwork.
Yes, I learned that exactly sequence (including the landscaper’s actions) from my brother at his home outside of Phoenix. He had 3 beautiful Agave that sprouted gloriously and then died. What a sad ending they have. Just when they get glorious they are at the end. Sigh.
Marvelous macros or clever close-ups, whichever you prefer, or both, Tina. I love mornings, so I have lots of morning shots. But it IS worth is every so often to either get up early or simply go out at a different time, as so much more than the time is different.
janet
I agree Janet – I hate the getting up and out part but the light is so wonderful and so different in the early morning. Sunsets are a bit easier for me 🙂
Love all those!
Thanks Mary!
Beautiful close-ups, Tina. I’ve always liked the green and yellow agave “V”.
Thanks Jane – I suppose that would make it AgaVe 😄
Beautiful !
Many thanks!
Yes spring, as I sit here on the first day of spring with 4″ of fresh snow on the ground! Driving range still not open and we leave for Phoenix on Wed.
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Oh my, hopefully it’s the last of the snow and when you return from Phoenix spring will be well underway!
Great close-ups, Tina!
Thanks Stefano!
These are stunning Tina!
Thanks Nicole!