I’m still a bit enchanted with the swirling, twirling tendrils on these grasses- not tired of photographing them yet!
Snowbound
It has been a week and a half since our snowstorms- and I find myself marveling every day at the slowly disappearing expanses of snow that remain in my yard, not to mention around town. I took my Velvet 56 outside to capture a few bits of weeds and leaves peeking up here and there through the snow.
Mammoth Mornings
It’s been over a month since we left Yellowstone, but I still am going through my photos. Here is a shot of the chapel with an elk grazing outside.
And below is a very early and very cold morning view of the Yellowstone Justice Center. Can you spot the elk in this photo? 🙂
Snow Drops
When we went outside last weekend, the melting snow on the evergreens sparkled in the sunlight- and I couldn’t resist going back in to grab my camera!
Caught
Yesterday’s snowfall gave me the chance to take some macro shots of the snow that was caught in the little twigs of a shrub out front. 
Edited with Topaz Texture Effects.
Bison in the Mist
Every time we made the short drive from Yellowstone to Gardiner, Montana, we would see bison gathered at the river munching on the grasses. The steam rising from the water gives a misty appearance to the scene, contrasting with the icy banks. We stopped several times to take photos; I never get tired of this scene!
Frozen Sunshine
We were out on a drive looking at majestic mountains and beautiful expansive views, and I was down on my knees in the snow, shooting icy weeds and wishing I had my macro lens. No, that’s not a bokeh texture- that is sparkly snow!
Fairyland
It was 5 below as we walked along the board walk in the Upper Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs. Although I’d been here before, this was my first visit to the terraces in the snow. The sun shining through the icy trees and steamy mist gave the scene an ever-changing magical appearance; these photos can only hint at the exquisite beauty we witnessed.
Snowy Weeds
A Weedy Walk
My husband and I took a short walk at Willow Lake last week. We were hoping to view some migrating birds, but they seemed to be avoiding us. Of course there were weeds to photograph- one of my standard subjects for photos. This weedy image was edited using the new Topaz Texture Effects, which I downloaded on a 30 Day trial. It reminds me of some of my iPhone apps- what a fun new filter! I have only just begun to explore what it has to offer.
Bejeweled
Yesterday’s snow had disappeared before lunchtime- so I’m glad I made it outside with my macro lens before it all melted away. Our shrubs and trees looked like they were decorated with little jewels as the melting bits of snow glistened in the sunlight.
Winter is coming . . .
The hush comes with the deepening of Autumn; but it comes gradually. Our ears are attuned to it, day by quieter day.
But even now, if one awakens in the deep darkness of the small hours, one can hear it, a foretaste of Winter silence.
~Hal Borland
For as long as I can remember, Fall has been my favorite season. I think I like autumn leaves on the ground almost as much as the leaves on the trees. And to my eye, they are melancholy and mysterious in black and white- I love their fragile, crispy crunchiness and ragged, tired edges- reminding us that Winter is coming (a Game of Thrones reference, with my apologies). Snow is in the forecast in the high country, but I don’t think we’ll see any here. In the meantime, I’m enjoying every minute of Fall!
Blowing in the Wind
Today’s photo was shot with my lensbaby and includes a couple leaves, part of a bunch I gathered while walking down our hill, and some old books of my mother’s (yes, I love to photograph old books!). Way in the back is a little clock- a gift from my god-daughter for hosting her wedding shower (8 years ago?!?). The wind was blowing into my garage studio, causing the pages and leaves to shiver and shift while I took the photo, making focusing with the lensbaby a fun challenge. Fall is slow to arrive this year, but it is on its way.
Super Moon Eclipse
Sunday night we brought our folding chairs out to the driveway and watched the super “blood” moon eclipse. Besides being in awe of the beauty of this amazing phenomenon, we felt a great sense of connection with all the people everywhere who were also watching.
The moon looked so huge as it crept up over the hill across from us. The eclipse had begun a few minutes before we were able to see it rise.
The moon started disappearing as it rose.
And then it was almost gone.
Last night the moon was beautiful too. Moonrise was well after sunset (it was dark!), and we thought at first that there was a fire on the horizon- seriously! You would think we would have realized it was the moon rising since we had been watching it the night before- but it was so orange and so bright against the night sky! We were only clueless for less than a minute, however, and then I was dashing into the house for my camera.
Weedy Triptych
melinda anderson photography 