Tree photography is not easy. These photos are wonderful! Thanks for sharing this. I like to assign 'spirit trees' to people. Mine is the Southwood tree for it's juxtaposition of straight as an arrow effort, but bending and twisting reality.
I’ve always loved trees….my oasis during hard times…I love this essay especially as I was always sad in winter thinking they looked cold and lonely… now I will think of them as resting up for springtime 😍❤️👍🌳
Maybe one of my favorite posts of yours ever, Karen. So so lovely! Trees are such special beings, and you've honored them well with your photos and words.
After showing gorgeous images of winter trees, you rhetorically asked us, “What are you seeing?”
This morning with the spring migration of old familiar faces, I fixated on the birds enjoying our bird bath. They truly take turns! Butter butts now. Tufted Titmice waiting patiently on overhead branches of gardenia bushes that partially conceal the bath.
Yesterday, flat on my back on a grassy spot, I was dazzled by a cloudless blue sky. RH around 20%! Breezes. A tree showing its new crop of leaves reached toward open space, blue sky as a background, while the overhead sun striking the delicate leaves lit them as if diamonds. I felt like a small part in what I call Great Spirit. Thank you for sharing the images of trees from your Winterscape!
Must confess I not only talk to the trees, I listen to them, too! Each of your pics of the trees near you reminds me of a choir raising its voice to the heaven. I used to love to watch and listen to the fir trees near me whenever we had a windstorm. To watch them dance and swirl with such ease. Thank you for this Sunday morning treat!
Humans have a very long and special relationship to trees. It gladdens me to see these photos. My first, split-second instinctual reaction is to want to protect them.
I wonder if that instinct dates back millions of years when our distant ancestors lived up in their branches and the trees were our homes, habitats and shelters? Even after we came down from the canopies and became ground dwellers, they have up to the present day continued to provide us with every type of assistance.
But times have changed for them. Our own burgeoning numbers, deforestation for the sake of our agriculture, megafires in the west, flooding and storms in the east, rapid global warming moving their preferred biomes faster northward than they can keep pace with-..all the trees are stressed. And it distresses me as well to see them browning, becoming more susceptible to the beetles and pests that our previously cold and long winters kept at bay.
It's past time for us to reciprocate the steadfast love and support the trees have always provided us. We need to start trying to help them survive, stop viewing them as insensate objects, mere sources of lumber and cardboard. We really need to spiritualize our perceptions and see them in a deeper and more profound way as the spiritual beings they are. Maybe then we can find our own way. I argue for a return to the old ways, the shamanic vision.
Thanks Karen~ I went for a walk yesterday in our neighborhood ~ and looked up and saw two Hugh nest in the neighbors tree~ and had my attention for a while both coming and going~ and now your writing ties in beautifully ~ again thanks~ love the pictures ❤️
Beautiful photos Karen. That fifth photo re: symmetry and the tree in silhouette is amazing.
I think this week, I'll be noticing the gradual shift from Winter to Spring here in Ottawa. The birds and squirrels seem to be much active. Also, the weather is warming up.
This week I am going to pay more attention and notice the changes in the trees and plantlife during this shift towards Spring. In the past, I've been so focused on birds and wildlife, that I missed that subtle shift in the plantlife. Looking forward to Spring.
Many years ago, my son, an avid photographer, gave me some simple advice about taking photos: Think about perspective, mom. Look up, look down, turn around and look behind you. I love this photo collection of trees.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE winter trees!!!!! This is absolutely wonderful! And I love that you talk and sometimes sing to the trees, Karen--what a beautiful heart you have! <3
I never rake my yard in the fall, I just let things be, so as the winter recedes there are whispers of small green plants pushing through in the places where I don't have grass (I have a couple of sections of yard that are "wild" places). They look like dark velvety shamrock sort of things? They seem to be the first to show their faces this year :)
Thank you Roxy! I wish I could get our HOA to stop blowing away all the leaves. Luckily my willow held onto her leaves until they were done. So much better when we leave the leaves. Luckily no one rakes in the park!
When I read about the Three Sisters, I was reminded of what I read just this morning about Oprah Winfrey, who has always loved trees and makes them a priority wherever she lives. She has the largest private copse of sequoias anywhere, and 12 stately oaks on her Montecito, CA, property that she calls the Twelve Apostles. I would call the migrating geese the DFC -- Distinguished Flying Cross! :-)
Look into Trees for Life International. The founder, who came here from India and made his early living mowing lawns, later became a successful entrepreneur whose foundation has planted hundreds of millions of moringa trees throughout the world that help with water conservation and plant-based nutrition. It's a fascinating story!
What wondedul photos! I love trees and look at them every day on my morning walk. Such beauty! This is a rich post. Thank you!
Thank you Linda!
Tree photography is not easy. These photos are wonderful! Thanks for sharing this. I like to assign 'spirit trees' to people. Mine is the Southwood tree for it's juxtaposition of straight as an arrow effort, but bending and twisting reality.
Thank you! I relate a lot to willow trees.
I’ve always loved trees….my oasis during hard times…I love this essay especially as I was always sad in winter thinking they looked cold and lonely… now I will think of them as resting up for springtime 😍❤️👍🌳
Awww, that’s awesome. Thank you Sharon!
So very beautiful! Thank you for sharing your trees. I saw a V of geese heading north today too 😍
Thank you! Ah, the geese, they sure are heading north!
Maybe one of my favorite posts of yours ever, Karen. So so lovely! Trees are such special beings, and you've honored them well with your photos and words.
Thank you Jeanne!
After showing gorgeous images of winter trees, you rhetorically asked us, “What are you seeing?”
This morning with the spring migration of old familiar faces, I fixated on the birds enjoying our bird bath. They truly take turns! Butter butts now. Tufted Titmice waiting patiently on overhead branches of gardenia bushes that partially conceal the bath.
Yesterday, flat on my back on a grassy spot, I was dazzled by a cloudless blue sky. RH around 20%! Breezes. A tree showing its new crop of leaves reached toward open space, blue sky as a background, while the overhead sun striking the delicate leaves lit them as if diamonds. I felt like a small part in what I call Great Spirit. Thank you for sharing the images of trees from your Winterscape!
I love this, thank you for sharing!
Must confess I not only talk to the trees, I listen to them, too! Each of your pics of the trees near you reminds me of a choir raising its voice to the heaven. I used to love to watch and listen to the fir trees near me whenever we had a windstorm. To watch them dance and swirl with such ease. Thank you for this Sunday morning treat!
I am trying to get better at listening!! I love this, a choir raising its voice - yes, yes, yes. Thank you Sandy!
Humans have a very long and special relationship to trees. It gladdens me to see these photos. My first, split-second instinctual reaction is to want to protect them.
Mmmm. I want to as well. Thank you Michael.
I wonder if that instinct dates back millions of years when our distant ancestors lived up in their branches and the trees were our homes, habitats and shelters? Even after we came down from the canopies and became ground dwellers, they have up to the present day continued to provide us with every type of assistance.
But times have changed for them. Our own burgeoning numbers, deforestation for the sake of our agriculture, megafires in the west, flooding and storms in the east, rapid global warming moving their preferred biomes faster northward than they can keep pace with-..all the trees are stressed. And it distresses me as well to see them browning, becoming more susceptible to the beetles and pests that our previously cold and long winters kept at bay.
It's past time for us to reciprocate the steadfast love and support the trees have always provided us. We need to start trying to help them survive, stop viewing them as insensate objects, mere sources of lumber and cardboard. We really need to spiritualize our perceptions and see them in a deeper and more profound way as the spiritual beings they are. Maybe then we can find our own way. I argue for a return to the old ways, the shamanic vision.
Thanks Karen~ I went for a walk yesterday in our neighborhood ~ and looked up and saw two Hugh nest in the neighbors tree~ and had my attention for a while both coming and going~ and now your writing ties in beautifully ~ again thanks~ love the pictures ❤️
I love this Catherine, and love that you were able to go for a walk!
Beautiful photos Karen. That fifth photo re: symmetry and the tree in silhouette is amazing.
I think this week, I'll be noticing the gradual shift from Winter to Spring here in Ottawa. The birds and squirrels seem to be much active. Also, the weather is warming up.
This week I am going to pay more attention and notice the changes in the trees and plantlife during this shift towards Spring. In the past, I've been so focused on birds and wildlife, that I missed that subtle shift in the plantlife. Looking forward to Spring.
Thank you Neil. I love what you are noticing!
Many years ago, my son, an avid photographer, gave me some simple advice about taking photos: Think about perspective, mom. Look up, look down, turn around and look behind you. I love this photo collection of trees.
Oh yes, definitely right! Get down on the ground sometimes too. Perspective changes everything. Thank you Sue!
This post filled with portraits of trees is one of my favorite so far.
Thank you Janisse
giving reacher meaning to the forest for the trees 🌳💛
Right! Maybe we aren't always meant to see the whole forest.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE winter trees!!!!! This is absolutely wonderful! And I love that you talk and sometimes sing to the trees, Karen--what a beautiful heart you have! <3
I never rake my yard in the fall, I just let things be, so as the winter recedes there are whispers of small green plants pushing through in the places where I don't have grass (I have a couple of sections of yard that are "wild" places). They look like dark velvety shamrock sort of things? They seem to be the first to show their faces this year :)
Thank you Roxy! I wish I could get our HOA to stop blowing away all the leaves. Luckily my willow held onto her leaves until they were done. So much better when we leave the leaves. Luckily no one rakes in the park!
I always enjoy seeing the nests in trees, that we can't see once the leaves return.
Love the sounds of the snow geese, too!
Thank you!
Yes, me too! Thank you Alison.
When I read about the Three Sisters, I was reminded of what I read just this morning about Oprah Winfrey, who has always loved trees and makes them a priority wherever she lives. She has the largest private copse of sequoias anywhere, and 12 stately oaks on her Montecito, CA, property that she calls the Twelve Apostles. I would call the migrating geese the DFC -- Distinguished Flying Cross! :-)
Oh wow, I love that! If I had the money I would buy land and place it into conservation if I could.
Look into Trees for Life International. The founder, who came here from India and made his early living mowing lawns, later became a successful entrepreneur whose foundation has planted hundreds of millions of moringa trees throughout the world that help with water conservation and plant-based nutrition. It's a fascinating story!
I will look it up!