Fighting for green and spring outside the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
Today’s Photo 101 lesson eight plan from Cheri sent us on the hunt for nature. Big and small, lines that bend, she said.
I had a trip to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse for a ticket purchase matter on my agenda, and kept my eyes open and my iPhone 6 ready.
With the spring melt in process on the college campus, I noticed a series of trees quite close to the dome finally laying claim to a rectangle of green grass instead of the huge piles of white snow that have buried us here in upstate New York since it became 2015. The trees look small compared to the big stadium that houses the Orange football and basketball teams, I thought.
Same stand of trees, looking smaller; same stadium, looking larger.
Walking toward my car, I thought of part two of Cheri’s lesson, to use or disprove the Rule of Thirds. Those are the same trees, the two far right.
Is nature showing a sign of force at this transition of seasons where you live? Where do you find elements of nature where they pleasantly surprise you, and how are they placed? Which photo do you like better, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
Great job! I like the top one better because it focuses more on the trees and distinctly shows their bent lines. At my house, Jeremy just raked up over ten bags of leaves and isn’t done yet…. and we only have one tree!
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That’s a lot of spring cleaning from one tree, Rachel. I’m glad you liked my Carrier Dome lonely tree photos from cold Syracuse. Guess what? Snowing again on Sunday morning.
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Oh, no! And here it was “down” to 89 today (felt more like 107!)
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Sometimes when it comes to finding nature you gotta take what you can get, or what can fit into the landscaping theme.
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I know, Sheena. This class is hard, I think. 🙂
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I was just walking in this stinkin’ rain that won’t stop. Looking for signs of spring..not much yet, but the grass is green.
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Green grass is good, Red, even with stinkin’ rain.
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Yes, agreed. Perfect for the Spring Breakers next week.
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Invasion of the young adults. Oh, my, Aud. Break out the beer.
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Could be a rough night.
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I haven’t been that close to the Carrier Dome since 1986.
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Did you come for the Sparty football game that year, Scott?
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I was actually a freshman at Boston College (before transferring to MSU) and was travelling into the lion’s den to support my school in an old Big East b-ball showdown. It must have been early January because I was on Christmas break and it was only a 90 minute drive to Syracuse from home.
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Cool. I didn’t realize you went to BC first. Much closer to Herkimer County, that’s for sure. Those Big East bashes were intense. I was assistant sports editor in ’86 and did columns. Much fun.
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i like the trees with bare branches. survivors of the long winter and contrast to the concrete and metal behind it. love the grass popping up through the patches of snow near my house. there is hope!
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Hope arrives, Beth. I was hanging in the backyard with Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle on skunk watch just now, and we were both falling through the top crunch of the snow on the off-her-beaten path areas. I’d say this weak, it’s melted down to a third of its height. 🙂
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I like the close up picture better, the trees look more …..wild and wily. And kind of happier.
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They have to be wily to grow there in the patch cut out in the concrete, my buddy Colleen. Or maybe the concrete was poured around the patch? Good thing to ponder, isn’t it?
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Yes….it is. I hope they get to grow tall and strong. And maybe surprise the building……..
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I like that you utilized big building to emphasize these little saplings. Someday, you may go back and take a photo or two of how much taller they are after years have gone by. I liked the look of the green grass, Mark. Things of Spring are looking up, my friend!
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The trees aren’t really saplings, Robin, it’s just that it’s spring. I bet they’re as old as the dome, and it opened in 1981!
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I like both photos Mark. You and Jim are taking a class together? That’s awesome! ❤
Diana xo
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Virtual class. You could be a classmate, too, Diana. We have classmates from all over the world in Photo 101. ❤
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Yay for grass! I too am enjoying the newly visible grass here. Now, if only it would transition from brown to green; that would be even better.
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I know, Me Who. We need green.
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Great perspective on the second shot!
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Thanks, Cate. It reminds me of some of the shots you’ve shown me from down around the seaport, with the dome instead of the big ships. 🙂
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no leaves = 😦
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The leaves will come after the buds, Kerbey.
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I Iike the first photo best – bigger trees. 😀
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Same trees, closer photographer. 🙂 Thanks, Paul. 🙂
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Strong vertical lines indeed! Well done, Mark.
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Thanks, Jim. I couldn’t find a nature shot to pass my eye in my yard at this point. I look forward to seeing what you put up today. 🙂
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Green grass! Yippee!
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I know, Colleen. I thought up to Monday, Never Again.
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I like the second photo better because of those orange railings that you have on the bottom third of your picture. It makes it interesting. It is in the 60+ degrees weather here this week and expected to be in the 70’s next week. What is happening is the fruit will bloom and we will have a freeze and then, again, no fruit. 😦 As much as I love this weather, I would prefer that it wait until it turns spring and stays spring.
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I made sure to get the orange rails in for some color, PJ. Thanks for your comment. We needed this thaw, for sure. I hope your fruit crop is not ruined!
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I hope our fruit isn’t ruined either. Seems like most springs it is.
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The orange is cool! The rest of the photo looks like a B&W in comparison!
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We need spring to bring color to the trees. Otherwise, the dome is just that concrete gray/beige, close to the snow and pavement color. You are right, Diana. 🙂
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Hang in there Mark, like I’ve been telling Ann – spring is just around the corner!
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Yes! That is what I noticed too. Thank you for backing me up. 😀
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I like the first photo with the nude trees in the ffront, they seem to be standing alone in a world of concrete.
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Thanks, Norah. That is a tough spot to be a tree.
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