Wednesday, December 31, 2008

On the last day of this year...

On the last day of the year I'll show you what I promised a while ago - the cycle of the cherry trees at a certain place...








A very Happy New Year to everyone!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Mind-boggling Colours of the Barberry...

This is a plant with about 500 species - can you imagine that?
I only know that this is a plant with the most incredible autumn colours I can think of - even more intense and differentiated than those of the maple.
Now click on the images and your eyes will be dazzled...




"Berberis" (Berberidaceae)
barberry, Berberitze

Monday, December 29, 2008

Golden Birches....

Normally the wind blows them away, immediately, as soon as they appear - the golden leaves of the birches. But this year we had the luck of an exceptionally beautiful autumn and I had the opportunity to photograph many different trees in their most beautiful dresses. These were the birches...



"Betula" (Betulaceae)
birch, Birke

Sunday, December 28, 2008

GTS - Green Thumb Sunday

This plant is growing as a hedge right in front of the house where I live. The colours in autumn are just incredible as you can see yourself...


How to join:

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Golden Ash....

The ash tree was the sacred tree of the celts. In Germany you'll find them often in public parks and residential areas because of their beautiful blossoms and filigree foliage which appears with an outstanding luminous green in spring.
Normally they lose their leaves in autumn when they are still green. This year I found some real beautiful exceptions - but judge for yourself...




"Fraxinus" (Oleaceae)
ash, Esche

Friday, December 26, 2008

Ginkgo Leaves in Autumn...

Ginkgo trees are very difficult to photograph as a whole so that it really looks good. Due to the tree growing very sparsely with few branches you often have either too much irritating background or the tree itself is too asymmetrical. So the solution is - besides choosing a detail of the beautiful leaves - to go for a good crop which I did here again.
The reason why I find Ginkgos so extremely interesting is that in autumn the leaves are turning into an incredibly warm yellow without the slightest touch of any other colour such as red or brownish.



Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas to Everyone...

A Christmas present to you with images you would not expect at this time of the year???? First I wanted to show you some images from last year with wonderful "iceflowers" due to lack of snow photos from this year. But instead - look what I found today while taking some freah air with the bycicle! I take this as a wonderful omen for a good New Year - the full blossoms of a Daphne.
In reality of course this bush often blooms while there is still snow. But nevertheless for me it stands for hope towards those blossoms to come hopefully soon and which are a feast again each year. I can hardly wait....


*** Merry Christmas to You All ***







"Daphne Mezereum" (Thymelaeaceae)
Seidelbast

Maples in their Festival Costume....

Ready for Christmas - what else....





Monday, December 22, 2008

Fallen Gold....

where all things go to with the hope for a new year and a new life...



Sunday, December 21, 2008

GTS - Green Thumb Sunday

All the colours of the world on my palette...


How to join:

Friday, December 19, 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Vines on coloured Glass...

The leaves of these vines were huge. And they wore beautiful colours... and - as usual - don't forget to click on the images - they are really big!


Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Another backlit Mystery...

Again I don't know what this is - probably nothing special but I found the spark of the sun coming through this little patch of leaves simply beautiful...



Monday, December 15, 2008

An Apple Tree in Autumn...

In our region you seldom have the opportunity to see so many different trees in their autumn colours because normally it is very windy at this time of the year and the leaves are falling very quickly. But this year I was lucky to find many different colours and forms...