I have an affection for trees
During the Summer of 1973, two friends — Larry and Jaime — and I took a trip to the western United States, that being everything in the lower 48 and west of the Mississippi. At the time, I was scheduled to start college in August, but I had no clue what I wanted to do. I was thinking organic chemistry, but the university I wanted to go to, Texas A&M University, didn’t have an organic chemistry program. One had to take a general chemistry curriculum and then specialize in organic chemistry during the junior and senior years.
When we got to Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and California, I was pretty sure I wanted to go into forestry. The douglas firs, sequoias, and redwoods were some of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.
Although I earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from Texas A&M University, all it has ever done has hang on my wall. It does look beautiful, though. Nonetheless, I still love trees, which is kind of funny because I’ve always lived in areas where big, huge, monster, gigantic trees are few and far between. We have big eucalyptus trees here, but the very nature of eucalyptus is that when it gets tall, it gets rather bare.
Recently I was out at the Blue Sky Ecological Preserve:
There is an old growth stand of California oaks, and they make extremely good picture subjects, like these:
This post approved by
Posted on September 18, 2012, in Flora, Mother & Father Nature, Out & About, Photos and tagged blue sky ecological preserve pictures, rural san diego pictures, san diego pictures, tree pictures. Bookmark the permalink. 25 Comments.
Enjoyed that visit and view of your trees
Emu
Of course I love these photos. Each image trumps the one before! They’re all beauties, and our planet needs tons more! Z
I love photographing trees, too. They are like people…a lot of character. I just don’t have enough courage to photograph people (portraits) directly yet. It’s kind of a confrontational thing and I also worry about intruding them… Some people like being photograph though. I just haven’t met them yet.
I haven’t met them in 46 years of taking pictures. Now animals, they love me!
I love your animal pictures. They are awesome.
Trees have a spirit within them that exudes wisdom and caring..OK so now you think I’m a right tree hugger but there is something about a tree that has grown tall over decades that makes us mere mortals reflect. They see life evolve and diminish around them – witness our short comings and shade us as we come to realize the truth of our being.
Their beauty in all seasons can still our troubled soul….calm and center us.
I like you…………….
Thanks Russel…!
Have you met Treebeard yet?
I have not. Do you have his address?
Check Middle Earth! He is difficult to see, so listen very carefully. He is one of my favourite J.R.R. Tolkien characters.
I have a deep respect for trees… The old maxim: ‘Survival of the fittest’, sure rings true.
They suffer all that nature can throw at them, and there they stand (those that survive) braving all the elements….
Great pics…
Some people say trees are the earth’s endless effort to reach the listening heavens. i think they are the mightiest of living things, thrumming with silent force. And i’m a real sucker for tree canopied pathways and tracks!
You are an older tree than me because I was -1 year old in 1973, and I like old trees, it’s existence is the living of wisdom.
The trees are like senior citizens, they use to be lush and plentiful … not so much now in their elder years. Still, we love them.
Blessings ~ Maxi
Congratulations on your degree! It is funny how life parallels important passions in our lives. Your pictures are beautiful Keep loving the gigantic trees; they are stunning!
Oh, I love these trees! They speak volumes!
I do too….trees are magnificent. Your pictures capture their beauty and strength.
Lovely. I also have a fondness for trees – and anything else that grows without needing to be watered religiously by man. I left West Texas (Midland, Amarillo) and settled in Colorado 22 years ago. I love it here! It’s dry, has trees — but they aren’t overwhelming. The deep south is a bit claustrophobic because of all the trees. I can see how your trip out west changed everything!
Love the trees, especially the ones without their leaves. Have you also done roots?
I have done roots but not at this blog. Maybe it’s time!
Beautiful compositions.
Very impressive!
Very cool photos! I’m not a treehugger, but I LOVE them too!
Pingback: Please don’t strangle me « Russel Ray Photos