Hints of Autumn

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern

“But it’s a long long while from May to December

And the days grow short when you reach September” – Kurt Weill / Lyrics: Maxwell Anderson

September it is, and the days grow shorter with sundown earlier. Nature is having its seasonal mood swing, exhibiting traces of leaf changes and lengthening shadows. On grass and brick walls, leaves curl up as though slumbering. It is easy to miss these subtle changes unless on the lookout for their early appearances. Soon the autumnal transformation will be more evident, but for now, it is discreet.

I am often asked: “What subjects do you like to photograph?” Invariably, I answer, “Just about everything.” And that is true, except for closeups of wingless insects and reptiles. Neither suits my taste. But just about everything in the man made and natural world is fair game, especially the surprises that occur when you least expect them.

A case in point is a visit to Wave Hill, the 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, NY. Fifteen minutes by car from my apartment in NYC make it a convenient and easy trip to view the latest flower offerings. This particular visit surprised me with the wee touches of autumn that were on view. Golden leaves were scattered about a chair on the broad grassy lawn. On a brick wall, surrounding an art gallery on the estate nestled a few sere leaves, a harbinger of more to come. Although dahlias were in full glorious bloom busting their seams in the main flower garden, I was drawn to the dried fallen leaves. However, I did not neglect a sumptuous and glorious dahlia. That would be heresy.

All images were shot with the Olympus E-M5 Mark II and the M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4 Pro lens; the dahlia at 57mm, 1/1600 at f/4, +2/3EV, ISO 400; leaves by chair at 23mm, 1/640 at f/4, -2EV, ISO 400; leaves on wall at 54mm, 1/200 at f/4, ISO400.