If you go into the woods today...

If you go into the woods today, you're in for a bit surprise...

(Did those lines creep anyone else out when they were kids??)

We took a shortcut to avoid some of the long weekend traffic in the Blue Mountains, and this is what we found:

A combination of heavy overnight winds, notoriously shallow roots and possibly the September 2013 bushfires, all brought this tree down. 

The people to the right of the photo had been stopped on the other side of the tree. They're also a helpful indicator of scale. 

Not that much of a shortcut after all...

Seedy Arvo Sun

It's amazing what you can see if you really look around you. 

Every branch is dotted with dozens and dozens of seeds. All glowing warmly in the afternoon sun. 

Bridging the Symmetry

It was surprisingly difficult to get this bit of bridge into the dead centre of the photo. 

But I still think it looks remarkably symmetrical. 

And, of course, when I'm taking the photo, I can't see very much. I'm mostly squinting into the sky, holding my phone aloft - as though in an offering of appeasement to the sky-gods. And in that moment, I can't see anything on the little screen in my hand. 

Standing in the middle of the road (albeit a relatively quiet one) throws in a novelty factor to the photo-taking experience. It requires the fine line of maintaining one's aplomb, and yet being ready to scamper stroll to the side of the road as soon as a vehicle comes thundering up.

The Tree Stretches

From this angle, it looks as though the tree is having a lovely, deep s-t-r-e-t-c-h to the sky. 

Shaking off any tiredness with a cheerfully loud yawn. 

(Yes. I anthropomorphise everything!)

Bush Lemons/Oranges

These bush lemons can look and even taste almost orangey. 

They pop up every autumn. 

"Gnarled" is a good descriptor of the look and feel of the lemons. 

Verticals in the Contre-Jour

This wasn't so much spotted, as it was squinted into...

But there is quite a Gestalt thing going in with the repeated theme of multiple lines going into horizon. Actually, the whole image is made up of lines - mainly vertical, but some horizontal too, and mostly right angle intersections. Even the sun is throwing out straight lined-rays!

(Side note, I'm not sure if it's visible, but that is a train on the right).

Oleander in the Setting Sun

I like this pic! It looks like the stuff summer memories are made of.

Sweet, wistful, romantic - and drenched in unreal colours - the way all good memories should become...