Day: 12/31/2016

RESILIENT – IRONWOOD: WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

/ Marilyn Armstrong / 12 Comments

RESILIENT | WORDPRESS WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

Only one tree grows naturally in the great Sonoran desert that fills much of Arizona and continues down into Mexico. The dominant site throughout the desert is, of course, the huge Saguaro cacti.

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Now that they are protected, they are everywhere, including dominating well-tailored back and front yards of suburban homes in and around Phoenix. You can’t cut them down, so no matter how well you plan your garden, nothing prevents a cactus from decided to take root there.

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The ironwood is not a cactus, but a tree. It can live in the hottest, driest possible growing condition. It is the only tree that will survive in that environment without human intervention.

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An old, gnarled ironwood tree is a true symbol of the North American west. Resilient doesn’t cover it. This is ultimate survival.

I participate in WordPress' Weekly Photo Challenge 2016

I participate in WordPress’ Weekly Photo Challenge 2016

MONOCHROMES OF MY YEAR – 2016

/ Marilyn Armstrong / 27 Comments

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Open Topic

300-line-draw-bonnie-snow-17122016_022Since Cee very kindly left this as an open topic, I thought I’d go through my archives and find my favorite monochrome images for 2016. I did more in black & white this year than in any year since film went away and cameras went digital. Which, for you kids, is what we old kids call “a long time ago.” Rediscovering black & white and toned monochrome is an adventure. Returning to my photographic roots, as it were.

Light!
The Mumford Dam
Kitchen
On the wharf, Boston
Boston Harbor
Tugboat in the water. This is almost public. I mean, you use it to pull other boats, right?
Blue-toned gulls in flight reflected in the river
Walls in the theatre district
A long lake somewhere in Vermont
Electric nights
Western fence — Photo: Garry Armstrong
Palms in Phoenix
Night lights on the water
Marina, Connecticut – Water reflections