June 15, 2019 • 77

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 50: Trees

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come. ~Chinese Proverb

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #50, Ann-Christine asks us to explore a new theme–Trees–which are a lovely, graceful, and often overlooked part of our natural world.  As I assembled my collection from Australia and the United States, I decided to focus on the parts of the tree first.  So, here we go.  Trees.  Deconstructed.

Tree Leaves

The tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber. The tree is a slow, enduring force straining to win the sky. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Wisdom of the Sands, translated from French by Stuart Gilbert

Wattle Tree Leaves. Sydney, Australia.

These leaves come from the wattle tree, a native of eastern Australia.  I spotted this tree in our friends’ garden in Sydney.  I had never seen such beautiful frond leaves on a tree before.

Tree Pods and Flowers

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness.~Khalil Gibran

Spring in the Desert. Scottsdale, AZ. Desert Agave Flower

Flowers will soon burst forth from these seed pods.  They belong to the Agave tree, which grows on the grounds of the Wrigley Mansion–a wonderful estate to explore in Phoenix, Arizona.  If you look at the upper left part of the photo, you can see the flowers already in bloom.

Tree Bark

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson

Conifer Bark, Australia.

I believe this usual tree bark is from the conifer tree in Australia.  (If my Australian friends disagree, please let me know!)  I love its intricate and unique design.

Tree Roots

Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy.~Shel Silverstein

Majestic Roots. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Australia

This Banyan tree grows in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.   I was fascinated by its aerial root system.  I processed this image with an oil painting filter to highlight its dramatic and magical appearance.

Tree Branches

If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees. ~Hal Borland

Sunset at Joshua Tree.

The Joshua tree is famous for its striking, crooked branches that reach towards the sky.  This tree is the epitomy of patience, growing slowly over many years at rate of one-half inch to three inches per year. According to some researchers, the average lifespan for a Joshua tree is about 150 years.

The Big Picture

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
They took all the trees
Put ’em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see ’em
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
’Til it’s gone…

~Joni Mitchell, from “Big Yellow Taxi,” 1967–68, © Siquomb Publishing Company

On the Great Ocean Road, Australia.

Now, it’s time to step back and think about the “big picture.” 

Sometimes, I take trees for granted.   I ignore their quiet majesty and grandeur.   But when I do pay attention, I am struck by their intricate design, resilience, and brute strength. During our trip along the Great Ocean Road, we stopped at a secluded beach hidden behind huge rock escarpments.  But instead of admiring the rocks, I stared at the trees, growing impossibly, unbelievably, even at the top of these inhospitable cliffs.  They are indeed one of nature’s wonders.

A special thanks to Ann-Christine for providing this week’s theme and inspiration for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #50 Trees.  Click here to visit her blog, Leya, and see her theme post.  If you’re new to our challenges, click here to learn how to join us.  Remember to link your post to the theme announcement and tag it Lens-Artists to help us find it in the WP Reader.

I’d like to close this post with a salute to all of you who joined our “Favorite Things” challenge last week.  Your interpretations were varied, sometimes surprising, heartwarming, and in a word–marvelous!

Next week, it’s Amy’s turn to lead the challenge, so be sure to visit her The World is A Book blog.  As always, Amy, Tina, Ann-Christine, and I are delighted that you’re joining us!

Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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77 replies »

  2. Love photos, Patti. I love the texture of the tree bark and the delicate leaves of the Wattle tree! Both you and Tina are piquing my interest in applications like the oil painting one you used on the Banyon tree.

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    • Hi, Lindy. Thank you very much! I am having fun with my Fuji camera and using different filters. 🙂 The Topaz collection has some interesting effects. So does Nik. If you try them, I’d like to hear what you think.

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  3. Wonderful quotes, Patti, and I love that Chinese proverb. A lot of thought and work goes into these posts and I do appreciate it. I’m rather fond of fig trees and I don’t mind the odd banana. Sense a theme going on? 😆 But you can’t beat a weeping willow trailing in the water. I bet Ann-Christine has one of those. Or Jude! Cheers, darlin 😍🌳🌲🌴🍁🍃💕

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  11. Wonderful post as always Patti. Absolutely loved the opening image – have seen many ferns but never as leaves of a tree! Amazing. Also loved your processing choice on the banyan. They’re amazing aren’t they?

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    • Hi, Tina. Thank you! I loved those ferns too and the banyan. I couldn’t stop staring at them! I had heard about aerial roots, but couldn’t believe what I was seeing. 🙂 🙂 Fascinating. It’s always great to hear your thoughts! Looking forward to seeing your post, too.

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  12. Gorgeous, Patti! The wattle tree is amazing – thought first it was a fern.The conifer bark is a real treat as well and the banyan roots are beautifully processed. Very fitting and enhancing their beauty. The Joshua tree shot has got that lovely light that only occurs under certain conditions – love it whenever I get to see it. Thank you for a most varied and interesting post!

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    • Hi, Michael. Thank you very much!! I was so taken by the trees (and nature in general) in Australia. It’s so distinct in that part of the world. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the shots!

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  17. Pingback: Lens-Artist-PC-50-Trees – WoollyMuses

  24. Trees are amazing to me, Patti, and you’ve captured beautiful details of such interesting ones. The conifer bark is beautiful and the wattle tree is one that I don’t remember seeing there… wow! Your Great Ocean Road shot is wonderful…what a magnificent place. I love that you included people enjoying it- gives it a powerful perspective.

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    • Thank you so much, Jane. 🙂 🙂 I value your thoughts on these shots–as always. 🙂 It’s interesting that you mention the people in the shot adding perspective. It was a joyful place. A moment later, a young woman started doing cartwheels on the sand. 🙂 🙂 Have a great week….

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    • Hi, Vihani. Nice to meet you! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad the trees brought you some peace. Sometimes it’s hard to come by! I’m so glad you commented. 🙂

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  28. Pingback: ~ Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #50: Trees ~ | Lindy Low LeCoq

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