46 Comments
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Susana Aracena's avatar

Loved this! The first one looked like shark fins to me. 🤭 I guess imagination is just one of those things that comes to you when you least expect it! It can be invited, but not forced.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

And it can come in so many different ways! Thank you for reading, Susana…Wishing you beautiful Sunday! 🩵

Ken Kirby's avatar

Jaime, thank you for your invitation to engage - to engage with your images, your questions, your observations - with you.

Your first image in this post evokes a number of associations for me. I see (and feel) the papillae on the surface of a cat's tongue, the scutes on the back of an ancient crocodile, the sharp saw teeth on my persistent thoughts and fears of inadequacy. And I also see the cardboard cutouts used in a childhood play to represent the waves of the sea - along with remembering the aromas of tempera paints and Elmer's glue.

In your second image I'm reminded of a holiday wreath with silver bells. In your third, I see Brussels Sprouts and those hilarious blower animated tube people we sometimes see at car washes or other businesses trying to grab our attention.

I'm delighted that you shared that you are drawn to the ones that have gone past their prime - "their little party blowers have become deflated." May we all honor the arc of returning.

From where I sit, your imagination is undeniably within view.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Ken, you are remarkable. Thank you for sharing your perspectives with me... I love how you see these images! The papillae on the surface of a cat's tongue.. brilliant. And you have me feeling all nostalgic about my childhood days in school. I remember those aromas well.

This was such a joy to read and I am touched that you would take the time to share all of these ideas with me. Brussels sprouts! I never would have thought of that! I'm so grateful for your wonderful words. Thank you.

Paul John Dear's avatar

What a delightful wander through your world this is. It is so wonderful to see with another's eyes. Thank you. These are exceptional.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Thank you so much, Paul… so lovely to meet you! 🍃💚

Paul John Dear's avatar

Likewise. I will be back for more of your lovely work.

Bill Posner's avatar

wonderful images, patterns and presentation. Green seems to be the color! Love this: 'The forest, it turns out, is full of things pretending to be other things.' very nice.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Thank you so much, Bill… for taking the time to read. That beautiful colour is everywhere, and so welcome after months of green drought! 🍃💚🍃

Bill Posner's avatar

Hi Jaime. I live in an area (Oregon Coast US) where the green is constant, but have lived in heavy winter areas. Spring is always a joy especially for us who enjoy capturing the land. take care.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

We are almost neighbours! I’m in BC. I spent 23 years on the coast where it was green year round, but now I’m in the interior mountains where it is less so… longing to live near the ocean and big trees again.. working to make that happen! Lovely chatting with you, Bill 😊

Bill Posner's avatar

Ahh BC, Beautiful! I was in Vancouver April ‘25 when I went to Alaska. The city is beautiful. I visited the interior mountains up there way back in 1969-70. on my way to the Yukon.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

My husband is from Oregon… some of the most spectacular places in nature that I have ever visited were on the Oregon coast… breathtakingly beautiful territory. I hope we can return there one day. What a beautiful place for you to call home!

Bill Posner's avatar

Yes, everyone should have a chance to experience the PNW, it seems to change one, as I've had guest here from all over the world and they are always amazed. Keep capturing the world as you map you planet :)

Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Oh my goodness these are all delightfully and curiously gorgeous... I adore them all Jaime!

My imagination is lazy... unless I am wandering in the forest and then anything is likely; fairies, elves, birds that sing songs I understand—sometimes—and whole villages of beings living in the moss. But you know, I have never seen stick men running up and down stalks, your photo is extraordinary and beautiful and I think perhaps you could write a whole story about these little people!

Thank you for the inspiration to look a little deeper... sending love from my hill 💚xx

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Aww Susie.. thank you for taking the time to read.. I know you are a busy bee now that spring is upon us! May you find a little magic on your hill today. Much love 🍃💚🍃

Davor Katusic's avatar

Beautiful things. I saw them as they are - plants, and it is more than enough for me🤗

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Hi Davor... they really are lovely, just as they are, aren't they? Thank you for your thoughts :)

Davor Katusic's avatar

Yes they are. Wonderful.

thoughtsintheforecast's avatar

Yeah the forest is full of things pretending to be other things! I experience this more in textures at a micro level, so in stone, wood, sand on the beach. Zooming out though, lots of things present differently and I like noticing them.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

I love that you look for these things too... the more you look, the more these things start to present themselves. Thank you for your comment!

Alana's avatar

So beautiful and true.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Thank you, Alana 🍃💚

TomatoJoe's avatar

Thank you 🙏 for this

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Thank YOU for your kindness! 💚

Tommy Orme's avatar

These are stunning, Jaime. That first shot like the ridged back of a dinosaur, in the coolest way possible

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Thank you so much, Tommy… I appreciate that so much! It’s very much like a dinosaur!! Love that observation! 😊

JoAnna's avatar

Love your images and your thoughts on imagination just needing the right invitation, Jaime. The baby bird beaks, for instance, made me smile 😊

My immediate association with your first image was with M.C. Escher’s art and its repeating patterns of geometric shapes. Don’t know if you’re familiar with his work?

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Hello, my friend! Thank you for your lovely words… no, I’m not familiar! I will certainly check out his work! Thank you! 🩵

Steven Campbell's avatar

You are seriously, seriously, making me want to add a macro lens to my bag. Wonderful photos. 😍

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Ohh, I hope you do! I would love to see what you capture! 😊

Steven Campbell's avatar

If you keep inspiring me with your images I may just do that 🙂

The Words of the Wild's avatar

Love these beautiful photos. I'm with you- I always see the magic in the little things in nature. The stick figures climbing up the stalk here were my favourite. I agree about the first one with cardboard waves, but I also see Dragon scales 😊

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Thank you so much! Those little stick figures were such a surprise! Nature is always providing us with something wonderful.. I’m glad you see these little things, too! 💗

Lucy's avatar
Apr 26Edited

Foto molto belle, tracce vegetali che attraversano la porta della fantasia.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Thank you, Lucy! 🍃💚

Amanda - A Little More Joy's avatar

Incredibly beautiful! Thank you so much for inviting us to look so deeply into the forest of stars at our feet… what a gift you have!

I adored the little white figures cartwheeling their way up the stem! And your deflating party poppers… flowering’s done - now the real work begins… I feel so blessed by the enchantments of your piece. Thank you. 🙏

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Such kind and wonderful words.. thank you so much, Amanda. I love the idea of those little stick figures cartwheeling! That is exactly what they appear to be doing! ☺️💗

Dave Braxton's avatar

Beautiful photos and the description of little stick figures brought a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing.

Jaime Brandel's avatar

Hehe.. it made me laugh when I saw them! 😂… thank you, Dave.