Have you ever touched the new growth of pine needles? If you have, then you know that they're incredibly soft - like those squiggly Koosh Balls (Google it and you'll know what I mean). After a few weeks, they'll toughen up and before long, they'll be as brittle and sharp as the rest of the tree. But for a few days, they're quite lovely in their brilliant green rubber-like suits. The rain is over but these needles are still wearing their little caps.
These post rain water droplets were found on this plant at the front of my neighbour's house. I noticed it on my way home from her place but had to come back with my camera a moment later.
We sure are seeing a lot of these slow-moving fellows, this year. They come out like crazy on these rainy days.
It had been a rather stormy day but shortly before the day was done, rain ended, clouds parted and the sunlight beamed itself onto our beautiful willow tree which adorns the dock.
This pretty growth of leaves was glowing in the early evening sun. I snapped a photo and found that the background danced in circles of light known as bokeh.
It's alway fun to have you join me for a walk around my pond. I hope you enjoyed this post-rain walk.
70 comments:
nice...thanks for the walk...the needles are soft...my fav capture though is the snail...very nice...
I always reach out and gently touch the softness of pine needles; I look forward to them every year.
Beautiful - I'm craving some raindrop shots here, but I think I'm out of luck for awhile...
Is there anything prettier than the light after a storm? I don't think so... lovely walk... thanks for sharing!
Wow ..you made me stunned by these pics ..
Oh, I love a good after-the-rain walk! It seems the world is at its most lovely when freshly bathed and dappled in sunlight.
Would you please send some of that rain to Central Texas? Drought. The only way I see water droplets on my plants is if I've hosed them on there.
I wonder why it is that those who post photos of walks such as yours find such fascinating things to snap. I want to say that nothing in my world is as beautiful as that, but I think perhaps I just do not have the eye to notice.
Your photos are always beautiful!
Wonderful photos again Hilary. i specially liked the pond with the reflections and the willow tree. - Dave
I so enjoyed the walk! Your images are amazing! Well done!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Beautiful photos, and I googled it, and you're right.
thanks for the trip. You have given me a brief peace of mind during the morning.
Lovely shots!
I'm totally jealous of your abundance of snails! They're such beautiful creatures!
Those photos gave me the same feelings that I would have had were I there with you. I got the freshness and the excitement of the new clean-ness and just a touch of melancholy from the willow. Maybe not melancholy, maybe it just . . . touched me deep inside.
How I wish I could afford a camera that took such wonderful close ups as these! They are stunning.
Everything looks so washed clean after the rain, it makes it all prettier.
So incredibly gorgeous, Hilary ~
Yes, the little needles are so soft, aren't they? I loved the photo of the water landscape.
Oh, lets do that again! Your willow tree is amazing! How beautiful. Great look at the baby pine needles.
Really well done. I almost like the snail/slug if you know what I mean. The last two pictures are very good.
thank you for taking us along! so beautiful! we're too dry and hot for any raindrop shots here, but i sure enjoyed yours. the last 2 shots were my favorites!!! the sun in the willow... whew!
All very nice, I loved that willow and dock shot.
Usually I am more a fan of Form than Colour, but in this set the snail (oh, the snail! the adorable snail!) and the willows struck me most. All good, though.
Mary Anne in Kentucky
all wonderful photos but I like that last one best.
Such a peaceful walk - always after a rain the air has a gentle, luminous quality. You've captured it beautifully.
Lovely pictures and very poetics words...
Thanks for sharing !
Greetings from France,
Pierre
We never get enough of these smitten images.
Thank you for taking us along, Hilary
Isn't that delightful when you download a photo and have a surprise there waiting for you? Love bokeh!
I bet it smelled so good outside!
Oh Hilary, I love going for walks with you... the sights we see! No one points out the beauty of nature quite like you. ;)
That willow tree photo is exquisite!
I grew up in a yard filled with giant pine trees, and as you were writing about the needle softness, I was taken back to my childhood.
Sun here at last. Glorious stuff. Last year we had no summer.
I love our walks.
The raindrops on the leaves! The reflection in the lake! How lovely!
Gorgeous images, but the one of the willow and other trees reflected in the water is my favorite.
The reflection in the water is stunning. The beauty afterwards sure makes the rain worth it.
I love the water drops,but the pond and reflection are my favourite today.
Your walk was much nicer than ours. It's been kind of steamy hot weather here. I'll trade ya places for a week or so..
DI
With each succeeding image, I would think to myself, "Oh, that's my favorite of today's offering," until I got to the last one, and I was sure.
Lovely as ever-you don't call yourself an amateur, I hope.
I'd forgotten all about Koosh balls! Thanks for the scenic walk--that willow tree view is fantastic. It was fun to splash about in my gumboots.
Well, the rain has stopped at last.. and you took full advantage of the raindrops with these photos.
Lovely!
love the curl of that snail's shell. and yes, i do like the softness of new pine needles too. :)
I love love these photos, Hilary. Love.
I've read and caught up.. just didn't comment on each post...
you are so very much appreciated.
I hope to have more of a "routine" now . Hope:)
love to you,
deb
Another lovely walk, thanks for sharing all the details!
Loved the willow shot ;-)
What a lovely set. Thanks so much for sharing.
Ah .. that was so nice and the allergens were low due to the rain .. a good thing for those with pollen allergies .. love all these but most especially the snail ..
Love the soft needles.
I never realized how pretty snails can be before your photos!!
It is raining here right now, and has been for days. I can imagine those beautiful pictures somewhere outside.
i love love love that snail photo....
A wonderful walk as always Hilary. Love the light on the willow and the snail is amazing.
What a lovely misty wet walk we had. Your shots are gorgeous - especially that last one!
Gorgeous! Loved the walk! I especially liked the raindrops on the leaves.
Beautiful!!!
The willow tree reflecting in the water is just gorgeous.
Ah, everthing is so lush and verdant after the rains - I feel thoroughly quenched for my dip in here - thank you as ever for a lovely visit!
I love photos with raindrops in them. Everything always looks so lovely and fresh.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Beautifully wet photos!
yet another wonderful series of shots...
Beautiful photos as usual. I do love the top one...
How big is your deck? I would have mistaken it for a bridge. That particular picture is so good that I would put on a calender and look at it for even three months. I am getting lucky today. I just checked out Whispering Pines and saw beautiful pictures of trails that Yaya had for us. Blogging is great.
We enjoyed a few of those walks this weekend and I suspect your readers will soon see the results of those. I like the water droplets shot and the willow scene is a beauty. :)
LOVE your walks ... you captured some really gorgeous shots!
What a beautiful blog you have! I really felt as though I were walking around with you. And the snail is very cute. Destructive, I know, but cute.
you drenched my soul in real healing.
That willow pic is borrowed from HEAVEN!
Aloha from Waikiki :)
Comfort Spiral
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There has been so much rain in the Mid-West! Incredible photos captured here as a prelude to Summer, Hilary!
Hilary, I think these are some of your best photos. I know I say that all the time, but these just speak to me. The first of the new pine needles is spectacular, as well as the pond in the glden hour and the light through the leaves with the bokeh is beautiful.
Thank you ALL for such kind comments. I've been remiss at responding to you individually, lately.. it's been kind of hit and miss. This one's a miss. I'm trying to make my way around to your blogs and hope to catch up before too long.. at least before I fall behind again. ;)
You folks are the absolute best and I treasure your visits and kind words.
Thank you. :)
Great shots, all, but the one of the reflections on the water is absolutely stunning.
These are gorgeous. You have me craving rain!
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