Juste un arbre
February - May 2021
Just a tree… fascinating, beautiful things breathing oxygen into our environment. Often taken for granted or not really noticed but you would miss them if they weren’t there. Some were here before us and will still be standing when we pass. Some grow in the most hostile of environments like they are sending us a message. I am not a tree hugger, but I do like them. Now, enjoy the photos.
Tough at the top - These trees have a very hard life. Situated at the top of Craig Varr near Kinloch Rannoch in Scotland. Craig Varr is not quite a mountain but is situated next to Schiehallion which is one of the Munro’s. They are so bent out of shape by constant adverse weather that they have retained a permanent ‘blowing in the wind’ shape. This picture was taken on a warm summers day when there was no wind.
These trees on Frenchay Common, South Gloucestershire provide a perfect ‘Socially Distanced’ practice area for local band ‘Piratitude’. A frendly bunch of lads, having a good time and making the best of a warm summers day during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Lucky for them I was passing by and testing out my new 50mm lens.
I can’t help but think this tree in Boxmoor, Hertfordshire looks like a Pangolin. It was thought at one point that it might have been a pangolin that picked up the Coronavirus from bat droppings whilst foraging in the forest in south east Asia. Pangolins are sold at Chinese markets and their scales ground down as the Chinese believe they have medicinal properties. This sounds like a bad day out for a Pangolin to me.
Magnificent winter scene along the banks of the Grand Union Canal near Nash Mills, Hertfordshire. The water was very still and made for mirror like reflections. I particularly liked the way these trees fan out for such a spectacular display.
This unfortunate specimen in Boxmoor Hertfordshire has been struck by lightning and almost destroyed, yet is still beautiful and clinging onto life. Look at the new shoots reaching for the sky coming out of the broken off and fallen trunk. Trees are tougher and more resilient than you might think.
This time playing with reflections whilst walking around in Frenchay, South Gloucestershire. These trees are stunning to start with, the rain adds to the drama.
Black and white winter scene in Boxmoor Hertfordshire. These two trees look like something out of a Harry Potter Scene.
Silver Birches reaching for the sky captured in glorious wide angle on the Leica 16-18-21 Tri Elmar lens.
The King is dead, Long live the King.
Something which fascinates me is the way a new tree will pop up next to a dead tree in the strangest of places. Against this dark and gloomy winter landscape, but the outgoing monarch and the new one just look great together.
That tree at the end of the landscape, gives hope and inspiration to mountain bikers the world over in the knowledge that the summit is near.
Trees can be big, really big. That is not a small house by any stretch of the imagination. Can you imagine the size of the roots, they must be living in the foundations of that house.
Even fallen, dead trees provide shelter and a hiding places for sheep and photographers alike.
Even in this dark and gloomy winter’s landscape, the tree adds a magnificent presence to this scene with a little Leica magic thrown in for good measure.