Home ::: Nature

hippeastrum, withering

                    this flower a few weeks later.... bittersweet beauty in the dying, like the transparent skin and veins of an ancient elder's hands... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 4, 2010 | Comments (14)

hippeastrum

                    More flower shots, a study of a gorgeous amaryllis. I just can't help myself for these remind me of Georgia O'Keeffe. Odd this passion, for I've never used flowers in my paintings or prints.    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 21, 2010 | Comments (15)

leaf lace

    a finely delicate, yet strong, lace-like skeleton of a magnolia leaf....    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 27, 2010

spring-like

busy and tired but enjoying spring-like days blooms of witch hazel and snowdrops croci flowering unusually early this year (these are buds on an oleander in the solarium, not outdoors)... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 23, 2010

macros: January garden

                        Thank you all for the comments and conversation on my last post about my efforts on learning macro photography. Above are the photos I took that same day outdoors in our garden using the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 20, 2010

on macro photography

        As I've mentioned previously, this new year I've been learning how to do macro photography with our DSLR camera, first with a zoom-macro lens, then with extension tubes. So far I've been happiest with a single 36 mm... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 17, 2010

on the seashore

            More photos from a recent walk.... what can I say? Somewhat related, from the archives: CARcass on shore... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 11, 2010

branching out

                practicing with the new camera lens, still on a steep learning curve...    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 8, 2010

sunrise

Nature in her gaudiest dress made a sudden dramatic though brief appearance on the world's stage this morning. Hastily snapped between 7:48 and 7:55 a.m. at the front door as I was leaving the house and then standing at... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 7, 2010

after the rains (2)

Ever since I remember, I've been captivated by little burbly creeks, especially when they seem to appear where none were before, by the water dancing over rocks and soil, urgently, ever forward, downwards, forming little waterfalls, emerging out of... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 4, 2010

after the rains

                looking down, seeing sky at my feet    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 3, 2010

frost stars

tiny little silver stars in the hundreds, as if fallen from the night sky like pixie dust It amazes me how different frost patterns can be. It is now even colder and drier, down to -6C (21F) last night.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 8, 2009

frost ferns

7:30 a.m. this morning, on the solarium skylights then later a little playing with photoshop.... compare with frost fractals and first frost... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 4, 2009

Hornby's driftwood

                    salt and sun bleached beached tree, roots like twisted tentacles squeezing blue green rocks in captivity    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 25, 2009

Hornby's jellyfish

                            On our recent visit to Hornby Island, we were amazed by how many jellyfish were on the beaches and rocks. They had beautiful and rich coloured patterns, were mostly around 15" across, though... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 24, 2009

fruit or nut?

        The magnolia tree is in its second though lighter bloom. While pruning some of it I found this odd cluster. Is it fruit, nut, seedpod or aberration?    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 4, 2009

treasure hunt 2

        ...another find while digging in the backyard ...feeling a need to play with images right now ...be back with the travel reports soon    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 3, 2009

empty nest

waspnestfront.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 7, 2009

emergence

                I love this: from Latin emergere ‘bring to light’... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 8, 2009

old leaf

               ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 3, 2009

stinking rose

                This sometimes affectionate nickname for garlic probably didn't refer to its subtle beauty but these images do, don't you think? Joining onion skin and cabbage leaves, it seems that there may be a series emerging...... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 25, 2009

crocus, croci

These are now getting flattened by heavy rains, so I'm glad I picked a few of these on Friday to scan.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 16, 2009

hellebore

Another early harbinger of spring here in Vancouver.... Later, at 1:00 pm - did I say spring? Big fat snowflakes are falling fast, as has the temperature, and we have a snowfall warning! Last weekend all over again, sigh.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 15, 2009

snowdrops

It is amazing that the snowdrops are still in bloom. They had a late start and are lasting unusually long with this very cold winter and delayed spring. It's been sunny and very cold this week but it's now... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 13, 2009

English Bay: sky

                    This is the fourth and last of the series of photos that I took about a month ago in English Bay. The feeling of the immense sky overhead struck me powerfully. It made me realize... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 6, 2009

remains of last fall

            now trimmed above new buds awaiting spring... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 18, 2009

English Bay: beach

                    More photos from that lovely day at English Bay.... Wishing all my readers a Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Friendship Day as celebrated in Finland. Addendum: The other photos in this series: English Bay: trees... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 14, 2009

cabbage leaves

                art found in the kitchen...    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 10, 2009

English Bay: trees

                    One lovely and warm spring-like day last week, we went out for a walk in the late afternoon along Vancouver's famous English Bay at Stanley Park. Camera happy that day, I captured an amazing... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 7, 2009

looking up

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 4, 2009

birch bark

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 30, 2009

thaw

        yesterday: rain, melting snow, flooded streets this morning, sunshine; this afternoon, more rain? heavy clumps of snow falling off trees and roof edges         still deep white yards, snowbanks, tracks on roads tilting snowmen, carrot noses pointed... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 28, 2008

rain and leaves

windswept rain-washed leaves, stuck on skylights... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 5, 2008

seeds of time

                        If you can look into the seeds of time...                 - Wm. Shakespeare: Macbeth) An hour's study of nature is a year's worth of prayer.                 -... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 28, 2008

leaf study

                Delighting in the colours and patterns of tiny found leaves, I've been playing with them on the scanner. How thrilling to see the fine veins and hairs in the huge enlargements on the monitor, and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 20, 2008

today's finds

Moth on floor, crumbling
Pine cone, auto-flattened

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 19, 2008

nameless tree

    On the way to the studio this morning, I paused, as I often do, to admire this magnificent tree with its long evergreen needles and long green cones, longer than my large hands, numerous open dry cones at... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 12, 2008

lovely links

Our Earth as Art, 3D Picasso's Guernica, International Rock-Flipping Day

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 10, 2008

serenity

                Wishing calmness and serenity to friends in emotional turmoil. Though I know them only virtually, I'm surprised how much I feel their pain.    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 31, 2008

for Beth

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 27, 2008

grasses in the wind

    That visit to the pier offered many photo-ops including some lovely plantings of natural grasses.         I loved the evening light shining behind them; their movement in the gentle breezes made it a challenge to capture them... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 25, 2008

3D scanning techniques

    I love how blogging can foster some interesting conversations and connections, and sometimes give food for more blogging material. A few weeks ago, British blogger Barrett Bonden of Works Well expressed interest in the equipment I use in... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 16, 2008

summer in the backyard

A glimpse into what is at its best in our backyard right now

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 12, 2008

inside

Buried deep inside blowsy peony petals, like the parts of a heart...

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 26, 2008

early this morning

    looking through the skylight, a glimmer of sunshine, too brief... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 9, 2008

onion skin

onionskin1.jpg

..one day in the kitchen...

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 2, 2008

time for play

        Alternating between gardening and utter exhaustion these May days, I've not being doing anything in the art-making side of my life. Interrupted by showers in sunshine this afternoon, I had time to play! Wanting to try making... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 26, 2008

twisted

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 21, 2008

bruised

He brought me some branches of magnolia
bruised by the fall, the snow and the frost...

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 21, 2008

branching

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 30, 2008

hurrying to the sea

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 24, 2008

signs

signs of bursting
delicate green buds on bushes
native flowering currants....

Addendum March 17th, 2008: I've been short on words so I think you may enjoy reading lichen, a beautiful post and photo by my daughter Erika.....

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 15, 2008

prickly

                Busy with my art work this week but tired and jet-lagged, I must say that I dislike daylight saving time! Tell me again what we are saving.    ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 13, 2008

earthworks #4

Still remembering McKenzie Beach, near Pacific Rim National Park, BC....

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 28, 2008

small things

exquisite tiny treasures on the beach

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 23, 2008

guess

        guess what this is....... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 20, 2008

crackle

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 30, 2008

sepia memories

Meandering thoughts inspired by Jean's sepia photos

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 22, 2008

calligraphic

                Do you think there may be hidden messages here? My mind must be on Qarrtsiluni's latest theme, Hidden Messages. The deadline for submissions for this issue is January 31st. (I'm still working on it...)... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 20, 2008

sensual

       ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 8, 2008

frost and shadows

fine frost etching, edging leaves and blades of grass...

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 7, 2007

on the windowsill

dead flies
curled up spider
feathery white moth

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 26, 2007

Happy American Thanksgiving

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Posted by Marja-Leena on November 21, 2007

November's flower

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Posted by Marja-Leena on November 17, 2007

silhouettes

a walk in the park
chasing clouds, dancing light
light and shadow, black and white

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 10, 2007

leaves on glass

stained glass of rusty red and yellow

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 7, 2007

spider's web

On this glorious sunny Sunday morning, all the more precious when sunshine has been so scarce this fall, I spotted a very delicate, very perfect silky spider's web outside one window. I asked my husband, a much better photographer... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 14, 2007

spiny fruit

DaturaFruit.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 6, 2007

yesterday at 5:20 am

Heavy clouds overhead, a giant's puffy quilt
straight edge parallel to mountain range
strip of sky beneath and between
brightening with dawn, rose and gold
a German Romantic painting

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 18, 2007

the little moth

As I sat down at my desk yesterday morning, my eye was distracted by some movement in the window next to me - a tiny pale moth fluttering between the screen and the closed casement window. It must have... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 26, 2007

textures

catestreenest.jpg

I'm obsessed by textures, can you tell?

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 10, 2007

070707

trying out a recently purchased smaller digital camera

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Posted by Marja-Leena on July 8, 2007

found art

waspnest1.jpg

a magical find in our backyard, under the magnolia tree...

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 27, 2007

venation

magnolialeaves3.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 15, 2007

ephemeral

frostbeforesunrise.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 15, 2007

snow graffiti

I felt inspired to do a little graffiti on the sparkling pristine canvas on the deck.

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 2, 2006

reflections

ice.jpg

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Posted by Marja-Leena on November 28, 2006

long weekend

physalis.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 4, 2006

a malady

MLRmilkweed.jpg

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Posted by Marja-Leena on August 28, 2006

caught in a web

Battleof-Insects

A long and mighty battle between these two insects outside a window - photos by my husband

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 12, 2006

sea shells

...another one of some objects that I scanned..

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 19, 2006

spiral

a scan of a small ammonite

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 10, 2006

scanning

root.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 25, 2006

first snow

snowlace.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 29, 2005

first frost

FirstFrost2.jpg

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 14, 2005

frost fractals

a fleeting art installation

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 5, 2004

circles

a tree stump on Vancouver Island

[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 11, 2004