Holes by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The approach of autumn is often a subtle thing; it’s easy to see a shift in the color of leaves or to notice a small change in the air. Temperatures drop. Smells change. The length of the day shortens. For me, the shift of seasons is also marked by insects. Grasshoppers—like the foliage on which they feed—begin to take on more ferrous colors. Yellow jackets dive into a flurry of activity, preparing for next year’s colonies: males—so seldom seen outside of a nest—emerge and mate with young queens, also sequestered for the summer. There are subtler changes as well: holes in leaves soon to fall. They are proof that something voracious has fueled itself for metamorphosis.
In a particular truck yard on the south side of Chicago, I notice such signs of Autumn. The days, though no less boring and hectic in equal measure, are also shorter. Sunrise and sunset occur a angles skewed from their high-summer norm. Intolerable summer heat has given way to a kind of breezy, meteorological ennui.
I love these changes; so much of my life seems to exist in those strange in-between places, and so it’s no wonder that I’d come to enjoy the subtle twilight periods between seasons. We have entered such a period: a lull…a pause…a deep shift in the pattern of seasonal breathing. At times like these, I always anticipate a shift in my own rhythms, and the small comforts of heavier clothing. It will be time—soon—for apple cider and the scent of cinnamon, and though insects will retreat, as will color, I look forward to the shift and though I live in Chicago now (rather than within the rampart-bordered heart of a small Czech town) I anticipate the season’s last apples and the scent of smoke in the air. Other changes will occur as well, and I hope they are pleasant ones.
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As always, thank you for viewing and reading and commenting, and I hope you’re having a good week.

Comments (21)
Stunning capture my friend.
That approach is not subtle at all here. It hits me like a ton of bricks and nearly knocks me flat. I do NOT like the fall. However, I LOVE this shot, what a great POV~~!!!
wonderful thoughts to think about. cool shot
Amazing image, great seen
Fractal holes in a fractured landscape... Food for thought.
A very striking image. I like all the seasons and the changes they bring, and can relate perfectly to your narrative.
I just LOVE the autumn. The scent of leaves in decay, the colors of them and the peace and the cosy indoor time. OH yes, I love this time of the year. I so do. WHat a beautiful simplicity you show us here Chip. I like it alot.
A lovely shot and dialogue. I can surely relate to your words, as I feel the subtle changes moving toward fall. Soon the aspen leaves will be in full color, looking so vibrant and alive, when in reality they are dying. CC
great shot and dialogue ...! but I prefer spring and summer months !
Ah, apparently attacked by the dreaded Swiss Cheese Borer; I also love these tweentimes, the quality of light is so much more dramatic than it has been.
Fabulous!
wonderful and charming!
the blur of the background really highlights your chosen subject--and it is lovely. I ave a special kinship with trees--adore them. I call them the bronchi of the planet--and there is so much "history" to them. Sad though that their companions the leaf often have to die off--but capturing them in this way--gives them a bit of immortality...:-)
I love the change of seasons too. Here in the PNW we generally have lovely, distinct seasons. This yar has been weird ... but right now we're having an early autumn. It feels like October. When I first saw this image, I thought about catalpa leaves and forgetting ... maybe in the autumn when creatures eat through catalpa leaves in Agara and Ukur, it causes holes in people's thoughts as well. I wonder about a connection ...
wow acid rain at work, or some kind of vermin.... great shot!
Excellent shot and dialogue!
Beautiful write up... To me seeing the Geese fly over is alway a sure sign of fall... Now I just need to photograph that. Nice work.
wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great holes ! (kidding). Quite good idea.
History - that's what holes in a leaf are. Not on a grand scale, but history, nonetheless. Like a footprint left in sediment which overtime becomes a permanent testament to the passage of time. I wonder where that caterpiller, beetle, bug - is now.... Fabulous! ^=^
You conjure a very romantic and nostalgic feel with these words, which are very appropriate for the time of year, and to complement your capture. I really appreciate how this image is focussed, with very limited detail of the background, drawing all of my attention to this ruined leaf. I also like how the cloud-filled sky hints at wind, and yet this is at odds with the stillness you captured. Excellent!