Our Fairytale Forests (many pictures)

[Kirsten]

I think it was animal communicator Amelia Kinkade who wrote in one of her books that the German forests are somewhat magical, like in the old fairytales... However, I was always reluctant when it came to forest photography because forests - or their essence - are extremely difficult to capture. Never liked my pictures.

Over the past days, we had a lot of fog. This, especially when the sun was breaking through the mist, made it much easier to take interesting pictures, so I took a lot and was soon infected.

The first time I gave it a try was last weekend when I saw from my window that the woods behind the other side of town were covered with mist. There was no sun that day; it was raining!

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_20.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_14.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_13.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_12.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_11.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_15.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_17.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_18.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_21.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_22.jpg

[Kirsten]

Three days later, I took these in an old forest 20 kilometers away from home:

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_23.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_24.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_25.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_26.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_27.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_28.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_29.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_30.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_31.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_32.jpg

[Kirsten]

And last but not least, these were taked in Wednesday, in a beech forest behind my side of town:

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_47.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_33.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_34.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_35.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_36.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_37.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_38.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_39.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_40.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_41.jpg

[Kirsten]

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_42.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_43.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_44.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_45.jpg

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_46.jpg

[cassiesmom]

Wow, Kirsten! Your fairy tale forests are gorgeous! I like the pictures of the sun shining through the trees -- how beautiful! Just stunning!

[pomtzu]

Beautiful as always! :) I too especially liked the ones of the rays of sun shining thru the trees.

I've never seen a picture that you've taken and posted here, that I didn't like. Such talent you have.

[Randi]

All beautiful, but I like the middle section best, it's kind of spooky.

We've had quite a lot of mist here also, but I haven't been out with my camera.

[Casper]

Oh wow, these are wonderful to look at! Fog is my favorite type of weather... so mysterious and eerie. :)

[Scooter's Mom]

You really have a great eye for seeing beauty in so many things. I love your photos!

[neko1]

Stunning!!

Your pictures are amazing, as always!

[RICHARD]

I expected a hobbit or a wizard in at least one of the photos......;)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I enjoyed seeing all of them. I think they're excellent pictures.:)

[katladyd]

ABSULUTELY STUNNING PICTURES! You have a true talent, that's for sure!

[Barbara]

Wow, wow, and wow! I am so impressed! I love woods very much and all your pictures evoke memories.
@Richard: You obviously didn't spot the ents ;)

[Kirsten]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to look. :)



(...)
@Richard: You obviously didn't spot the ents ;)

lol, indeed! :)



For Richard: :D

Tree Wraith

http://www.kirsten-scheffel.de/mono_06.jpg

[chocolatepuppy]

Beautiful pictures Kirsten!:)

[Asiel]

At the rate of repeating myself your pictures always amaze me Kirsten. Love the ones where the sun's rays come through the trees. Never tire of looking at any of your pictures so don't give up the hobby.

[Steve Arnold]

Wow, these are all incredibly beautiful. I love the first set with the fog, I also really like the second and third ones in the second set, especially that old gnarled tree, it really does have a fairy tale look.

[Karen]

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_20.jpg

Shhhh, do not move
The mist that shrouds the autumn forest
Conceals all manner of mystery
Cooling the embers of autumns flame bright colors
To a quieter hue, dulled within the fog
The ghosts of winter lurk beyond the treeline
The songbirds all have fled
And even those sturdy ones
That winter within these glades are silent
Like the fog has swallowed their songs
And forced them into deeper thickets beyond our gaze
And realms beyond our ken
The leaves that just yesterday crackled underfoot
Are now mute, and slippery underfoot
And their decay is hastened, joyful color drained
Meaning every step is risky, and you know
Despite protestation of your modern mind
That in these woods
Shrouded in mist and moisture
Monsters lurk, between the ghostly branches
Barely visible in the near distance ...
Shhhh is that quiet snap of twig
An innocent rabbit passing by
Or is it, indeed the only sign you'll get
Of that which lurks amidst the mists
Just waiting for that one missed step, that one
"let me walk a bit further ..."
That will leave you
Haunting the autumn woods for
Future unwary passersby ...

[cloverfdx]

Gorgeous photos as always Kirsten. I too never tire looking at your work :).

[Karen]

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_23.jpg

Enter, if you dare
Into forest primeval
Stream of light just highlight
The depth of darkness within
Tread carefully over moss and
Uneven, untouched ground
Never manicured or managed
And beware ...
Of old roots that lurk and trip
Of creatures hidden within the woods
Busy at their lives so removed from ours
Tread quietly, and still your breathing
Listen for the birds you cannot see
The songs embedded within this place
The whispers of humans who passed long ago
Stories exchanged away from others
Whispers of love
Echos of the sobs of those who sheltered here
Seeking comfort in the steadiness of trees
Tread softly, for this, as much as any cathedral or
Man-made fortress against the world
This, I know in my bones,
Is sacred space.

[Lady's Human]

I love the pictures, as always Kirsten.

Germany's forests always struck me as very well managed, but I just can't forget waking up in a hammock several feet off the ground, looking down and seeing a pack of wild hogs trying to figure out how to get me down and unwrap me.

[phesina]

Stunning photographs.. as always, Kirsten; thank you!

Such atmosphere..

[Kirsten]

Thank you very much, cloverfdx and Pat! :)

Lady's Human, you are so right; I'm always concerned about the wild hogs! :eek:

Karen, these poems are just stunning; they speak of mystery and the essence of nature itself. They should be read at the fires at night. ;)

[Karen]

Karen, these poems are just stunning;

Awww, thanks.
I try to limit myself to one per day, just so I get other work done, but your photos are quite evocative for me!

[Karen]

http://www.catmom.de/2012/end_22.jpg

Autumn comes to the forest
In an array of splendor, color and scent
Green is no longer dominant, but gold
And grey, russet and amber
Leaves of the deciduous trees bright
With all the remembered yellow of summer sunshine
Dimmer now but shining from the leaves
In one dying display of color
And the ferns and low bushes,
Closer to the moss dampened floor
Glow of rust and deep amber, as they curl inward
To begin their winter slumber
The rich browns and grey of damp trunks,
Stolid and heavy in the mist
Old trees cut and stacked for winter fires
And the remaining grasses gone gold
Complete the scene with the steady
Deep and abiding green of hemlock and pine
Drawing moisture from the mist
Will endure
When the mist and warm air are gone
And all other colors, fled with the fickle songbirds
Away, away from impending winter, desolation and cold
Still, the ancient trees will stand
Burdened with snow, shaken by winter storms,
Yet green, deep ever green
As we huddle inside, under blankets and sweaters
Trusting its promise
That spring, and color
Will some day return

[Kirsten]

Sad and beautiful... :) Thanks for all these poems, Karen!