“The Forgotten Orchard”

This scene found near the Fraser River in Chilliwack, B.C., Canada actually has a lot going on despite its simple appearance. These trees are of an old apple orchard and they have been neglected for a very long time. In fact, I can still remember driving by them as a young child and looking at them standing by themselves not manicured and diseased in an open field. I always wanted to take a photo of them with snow and I finally got my chance. This particular day was a Winnie The Pooh blustery day; the kind of day where your umbrella turns inside out. I situated myself on the lee side of the slope nestled in the bottom of an ice and snow covered creek to minimize my tripod movement. I managed to hunch down and tried to be patient waiting for the wind to ease before taking the photo. I questioned myself why I wasn’t wearing gloves as the wind bit into my fingers briefly during the time between the in and out movement to my jacket pockets.

So what I love about the photo is the colour and arcing of the grasses indicating wind motion and direction. I also like the elongated snow bank and the colour contrast between the grass and the dark long forgotten apple trees.

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I hope you enjoy this minimalistic photo. I know I do, as it takes me back to my childhood.