Autumn Embers

One misty morning last October, just before sunrise, I was driving around. I happened upon a road to the Eau Galle Reservoir Northwest area. I nudged my car across a narrow bridge and idled along the loop of road, from which led several trails suitable for horses or hikers. Dotted along this graveled lane were several picnic areas. I left the car and followed a trail down to the edge of the lake.

The sun was just coming up. My semi-silent approach surprised some water fowl, and in turn, their abrupt flurry of wings startled me. I looked to my right and saw this tree across the small bay of the lake.

I like to think this birch tree is stubbornly holding onto its foliage when all the others have given up their leaves. and I love the mist on the lake and how it leads my eye up to the grass and greenery surrounding the tree, and finally up the bluff, where the dark gray tree trunks frame this last ember of autumn.

Choosing work for an exhibit is a new experience for me. As it would be my first, I wanted it to be representative of my style, but I’m still exploring many facets of photography, honing my abilities and finding more and more creative applications in documenting the world around and within. And so, this blog is born!

You can see a larger reproduction of this photo at the Phipps Center for the Arts from December 8- January 15 in Hudson Wisconsin. It’ll be part of an exhibit of the Western Wisconsin Photo Club.