I have contributed well over 12,000 photographs to the geograph photo-mapping project. Mostly these images have been gathered while plodding through the countryside.
Over the last ten years I have found myself drawn to particular subjects. My photo history shows that I am especially fond of old farm buildings, churches, bridges, cattle and sheep. But it was a surprise to me to discover that I have taken more than a hundred pictures of lone trees. Most of them shown here have appeared in previous blogposts.
I see them standing in splendid isolation or clinging to rocky hilltops, bent by the wind. A lone tree might appear symbolic of endurance, individuality, resilience. Perhaps subconsciously I have seen something of myself in all those trees - separate from the forest, away from the woods.
Every tree has a story to tell about the passage of seasons and years, about the struggle to survive. If a tree could indeed talk it might tell us about the things it has seen and the changes it has witnessed. The winds, the storms, warm summer days, the birds and insects that found shelter in its branches. The very march of time.
There’s some striking pictures there, especially the fourth from last. Have you thought of putting a book of photographs together: Lone trees of the Peak District?
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to make one's own high quality photobook these days Philip. I have two and am planning to make a third but I wouldn't even begin to think in terms of mass production.
DeleteIs one of those trees along Fairbrook beneath Fairbrook Naze?
ReplyDeleteYou are probably thinking about the fourth one Tasker. I can see why you guessed that but it is actually at Bretton Clough, north of Eyam.
DeleteAt least you can see why I guessed it.
DeleteMy kind of post, I love trees and always have done. I put my love of nature and trees down to one teacher I had when I was about 9 years old, she taught me a lot and I remember going out doing bark rubbings with paper and a lump of brown wax. Couldn't quite see that being taught now could you?
ReplyDeleteBriony
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I don't think that OFSTED inspectors would approve of that kind of learning as it cannot be measured.
DeleteI love trees. They stand still, do their very best despite the circumstances and give back to the earth. They are dignified beings.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing more majestic than a mighty oak.
DeleteI think your post title should be "Tree" instead of "Trees" but that's just me. There is still a town named Braintree in Massachusetts but parts of it became the towns of Quincy, Randolph, and Holbrook. I think of you as Braintree and some of the individual trees in your very interesting post as Quincy, Randolph, and Holbrook. I suspect that that is just me as well.
ReplyDeleteI have not gone 'round the bend yet but I can see it from here.
There's a place called Braintree in Essex, England. Do these Braintrees grow from brains or are brains the fruit that they bear?
DeleteYou're a very talented photographer and I always think your photos of trees are among your best. You live in such a beautiful part of the world! Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteYou know how to make a guy feel good Jennifer!
DeleteI agree with Jennifer, although of course my favourite photos are those of old farm buildings, drystone walls and abandoned barns or other ruins. If there is a lone tree nearby, all the better!
ReplyDeleteThere are some ruins on Santorini. I shall try to photograph them specially for you.
DeleteI love photos of individual trees and there really aren't any in my immediate area to enjoy, so thank you for this lovely selection from your past posts. There is especially something about craggy one-sided trees like your fourth shot here - they really appeal to me for some reason. Perhaps it's the implied struggle with the elements, and their persistence in the face of them.
ReplyDeleteA tree like that really has to cling on against prevailing winds.
DeleteI very much like lone trees too. Your 4th one is very Caspar David Friedrich.
ReplyDelete"The Tree of Crows" 1822
DeleteThere is beauty in trees...both when they stand alone, and in groups.
ReplyDeleteNow, I have "I Talk to the Trees" from the musical "Paint Your Wagon" going through my mind. It's ages since I've heard that song.
I talk to the trees
DeleteBut they don't listen to me
I talk to the stars
But they never hear me
These pictures are gorgeous! I think trees are my favorite part of nature. I love them anytime of the year anywhere. I find that geograph photo-mapping project very interesting. I don't think we have anything like that here. You can't just go out walking anywhere you want here either. I love all the places you have to walk in your country!
ReplyDeleteI hope you and Mrs. Pudding have a wonderful holiday! It sounds like it will be a dream.
Can you get sunburnt in a dream Bonnie?
DeleteThere is some research that tries to show that trees talk to each other. So these poor trees have to be loners. I hope they are introverts.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they can shout.
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