Mottled by Chipka
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Description
Dusk carries the scent of smoke: an acrid waft of mingled exhalations from countless fireplaces. The woods that burn carry their own distinct signatures, revealed only in the long moments of immolation. There are other scents as well. The scent of moisture. The scent of mold. Near the castle grounds, on a wedge of land footing the hulking, ancient ramparts, there is a complex olfactory brew of sweetness and something less easily defined.
There is a smell of decadence as well: sweetness and fermentation.
Follow the smell and you will find the trees. They are gnarled and clumped together, as if for protection. Though trees have stood taller with wider trunks, there is no doubt that these are old, and that they draw harder nutrients from the soil in which they grow. It is not the trees, however, that deliver the scent of cloying sweetness. It is the apples they have shed:a whole carpet of tight, misshapen globes in all of the colors of autumn.
It is cold. Each day begins with mist, and so the town's wasps have retreated into their papery nests. Others feed on the carpet of fruits: worms and insects of diminutive and prehistoric pedigree—they are strange creatures, scarcely imagined in younger countries. Some are black, sleek things with tweezer-like jaws, and elongated, half-worm bodies. Some bear wings. Still others are beetles in garish metallic shades of phthalo green and eye-searing blue.
There are fungi as well: gray/black mottles that coat the skins of any fallen fruit.
It is easy to ignore the apples, however, and the simmering brew of life that they support. Their trees stand upon castle grounds, and the enormous ramble of stone at the heart of Český Krumlov is what draws the eye and the admiration of tourists who photograph themselves before the ornate walls and the waterless moat inhabited by bears. They ignore the apples, the worms, and the molds, and where the apples grow, only locals are prone to wander. Sometimes alone, though most often in the company of friends, or dogs.
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As always, thank you for viewing and reading and commenting on this and on my past photos and other stuff. And hopefully everyone is having a pleasant week.
Comments (34)
beachzz
Only you could take this bunch of apples and give them life, such meaning. This really rings a bell with me; I have a dozen apple trees in my yard. I'll look at them quite differently from now on!!
igorsv
Painting like quality, meaningful story.
Janiss
Awsome composition Chip... I adore!
Meisiekind
A fresh perspective on fallen fruit! Excellent work Chip. :)
GiMi53
Ooooh, I just discover that you also upload and appreciate apples... A great image and I especially enjoy your long and interesting comment !
ladyraven23452
great work and the photo is so surreal.
SSoffia
BEAUTIFUL WORK & IMAGE :)
efron_241
yeah.. true.. every days begins with mist indeed i saw it here this morning.. and i loved it.. i love this image too.. great mood and colors
marybelgium
wonderful "nature morte " !
Rainastorm
Excellent post...very well done.
claude19
Great comment about pollution and acid rains !!! Your "nature dead" is EXCELLENT !!!
Fidelity2
Very well done. 5+.
drag
Excellent story with a wonderful photograph to go with it. Makes you stop and think.
Starzshine
Great narrative with a fabulous photo! I love that the apples are past their prime, too many times pictures are "too perfect" and this steps out and is bold in saying, this is "life" I love it! Nice piece of work! ;)
AndreiR
"...tight, misshapen globes in all of the colors of autumn"... can't say better!!! Excellent!
tennesseecowgirl
Lovely work!
mbz2662
Very nice work :)
MrsLubner
What a great country flavor to this. I think your lighting is excellent - it highlights the subject but not the flaws, yet gives both the attention to make an appealing shot.
MagikUnicorn
Apples what a great idea, we have a lot of apples here 90% exported in USA :)
Faery_Light
Waaaah! Sorry but they look so good and I can't eat apples anymore, allergy thingy.
MrsRatbag
This image looks like an Old Masters painting; warm, rich and holding its own story. And as always, your narrative piques my interest and makes me think...very well done, Chip!
Lunastar
You paint such a wonderful picture with your words.
auntietk
You never cease to amaze me, my friend. Your narrative and beautiful photograph enhance each other in ways that make the whole greater than its parts. Gorgeous work!
Heathcroft
I agree with comments above- particularly the 'Old Masters painting similarity. Excellent in every way, Chip!.
pixelmeister
Cool image!
NekhbetSun
Don't know what you did to this photo, but it's awesome....loved the intro too ! H u g s
KatesFriend
Beautiful photo and the narrative is rich in details that are very apt for this season. I like your description of the scent of the place and the important function these apples play in the cycle of life even at this time of year.
Rainbowgirl
You did it again, Chip! A few words, some apples in a photograph and I am there... Perfect!
romanceworks
'There is a smell of decadence as well: sweetness and fermentation.' Such marvelous writing and how I enjoyed my adventure to the apple orchard with you. Such a sweet indulgence. And rich earthy picture to enhance the experience. CC
elisheba
Une magnifique nature morte, photographiée avec brio, Bravo!! Excellent composition that reminds me of a painting...