Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Dignity of a Tree



The life of this tree is an open book.  Trees cannot hide behind a personality.
What you see is what you get.   When it began, how long it lived, how it grew,
what the climate like during its lifetime, how much moisture in the area,
all can be seen in the rings of a tree.   There is even a tree science
called dendrochronology or tree ring dating.  Each tree has is unique with its own beauty.  
Branches extend from the trunk to punctuate the sky.  Leaves fill in creating a satisfying silhouette . 

This tree had a long, full life.  Now it holds up a fence.  
Birds sit on it, take a break from a long flight, or just pause to look at the ocean.  
Animals rub up against it to satisfy an itch.  I walked by and took its picture 
to remember the beauty around me that I normally am too busy to see.

This post is linked to Rebecca's Postcards from Paradise and  Kat Slone's Photo Heart Connection.
Please visit to see more lovely photos and read 
how the photographer connects to their photo .



18 comments:

  1. Beautiful image, there is something magical about trees.

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  2. absolutely right...thanks for reminding us how important they are to our history

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  3. How beautiful! Trees fascinate me and are often in my photos. Your words and image capture the essence of the life of a tree. What a beautiful photo-heart connection!

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  4. How awesome is this, to see the history of the tree. The beauty of it's former life in the rings, and the beauty in it's current existence holding up the fence. Thank you for sharing this Photo-Heart Connection!

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  5. Gorgeous image and I love your words. Love how this prompted you enjoy the beauty around you and share it with us.

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  6. Love trees & the history they contain (fires, droughts, etc). Great story of connection of it now being a fence post; the beginning of a new life/purpose.

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  7. Such lovely thoughts, and ones I wouldn't have considered. I love see the textures in the rings.

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  8. Such a great image and a very timely reminder to slow down and enjoy everything, not just the colorful and beautiful!

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  9. beautiful photo ~ awesome ~ namaste, carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy PCFP ^_^

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  10. I learned today that it can take up to three days for a tree to die after it is cut. Its fellow trees exhibit signs of grief.

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  11. Oh yes Irene, I was right there with looking for beauty in typically unSEEN.
    x...x

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  12. i love such mindful pausing...slowing down and drinking in with thoughtful regard the life around us. thank you for this perfect pause, this giant beauty,
    and the gift of you!

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  13. So stately and beautiful, Irene. Is this somewhere in Palos Verdes?

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  14. A nice shot of the tree's second life. :)

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  15. There is a lot to a tree, standing proudly, or being useful in a second life. Nicely portrayed.

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  16. I wonder how many more rings could of been added for it's long after life and the many uses, like birds resting, or how long it has helped a fence stand. makes me wonder.

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  17. Irene the photo of the tree and the text are so revealing. Besides all these beautiful facts about trees you've relayed, I must tell you I heard that far from being inantimate objects, like us, trees actually communicate with each other. No wonder they were seen as sacred by ancient societies. Thanks for reminding us of their importance in our world. Michelle

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