Wish I'd Said It

Weeds are flowers too - once you get to know them.

- A. A. Milne

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Root, Trunk & Limbs (#209)

Some of you know I spent a goodly portion of my life working in a retail furniture store. One of my favourite aspects of the job was dealing with wood. I loved unpacking a new shipment of oak, ash, maple, cherry, mahogany or birch coffee tables, dining tables or bedroom suites. I love the smell of raw wood and the look and touch of smooth, shiny finished pieces.

I believe trees can be cut but wood never really dies. Like true love. Like us.

What follows are some pictures I've taken over the last couple of months of wood in various forms. (If you wish to see them larger, click on them once. Some will expand even more if you click a second time. To return to the post, click your "back" button.)

 

Stumps and roots are like fire, in that one can stare at them and see...things....



Other...things...might be seen in  tree trunks.



The true majesty of trees can only be appreciated by looking up.



This upright, elongated stump with its amputated limbs still harbours life. It provides support for surrounding bushes and plants as well as food for insects, which in turn keep birds and other critters nourished.



Roots, rocks and water. Three enduring symbols of Canada's north.



A single flower keeps an old fence post company.



This is one of my favourite shots. I like how the moving water at the shoreline has taken on a metallic sheen. And I never cease to be amazed at the lengths (and bends!) some trees, especially cedars, will take in the course of seeking light.



Shoreline sentinels observe a serene, yet gloomy scene.

 

The end of a evening's walk at the park near Hilary's place. If you're very, very quiet, you might hear trees whisper to each other after dark.

25 comments:

Hilary said...

At one time, I never would have thought that I could recognize most trees - and yet I do. Maybe because we tend to photograph some of the same things these days. Maybe because they're that outstanding. Or maybe because I see them a lot better from behind the camera. In any event, I love these photos from your place, my place and the cottage. It feels like we're on a beautiful long walk.. without Benny tugging at the leash. ;)

Sally said...

Lovely pictures, Frank. Was looking at winter silhouettes of trees this morning and thinking to myself that I never tire of that beautiful tracery. They really are the most magnificent of beings.

Sandi McBride said...

I have always loved trees and wood and remember loving to watch my Uncle John (Merriman) with his
whittling knife as he sat on the front porch enticing faces and critters from the wood he held lovingly in his hands...its a gift. This is a gift, too...this post.
Sandi
ps
thanks for visiting me and the kind words!

Reb said...

Those are lovely Frank. I love the moss covered stump by the water and the sentinels by the lake...I swear I could smell lake water. Trees are truly amazing.

Barbara Martin said...

Trees are my favourite of all of earth's vegetation. To think most of North America was covered with them, providing a habitat for many creatures. Your photos have captured their essence perfectly. I like the one of the stump at the water's edge while the trees at the shoreline look on.

Charlie said...

Awesome photos, Frank. If there's anything I miss about Ontario, it's the landscape around Lake Ontario and the thousand islands, and most especially the trees. Thanks for such a beautiful reminder.

Leah J. Utas said...

Magnificent, Frank. Just magnificent. I love the faces and other shapes in the trunks and roots.

Kappa no He said...

I love trees! We don't have enough in town so when we travel into the mountains I make sure to touch as many as possible and say hi. I could talk to trees all day.

LadyFi said...

Great photos. Trees really are alive!

Frank Baron said...

Yeah Hil, I know they're some of your favourite subjects too. :)

Maud, you got that right. Thanks, as always, for the visit and kind words.

Hi Sandi. Thanks and you're welcome. It was my pleasure.

Thanks Reb. Glad you enjoyed. :)

Barbara, I've considered that often too. When much of our continent was covered by a sea of green. What a wonderful sight that would be from a bird's-eye view!

Thanks Charlie. But I know you're not wanting for different, but equally gorgeous, tracts of God's country out your way. I've seen pics of your view. :)

Leah, I'm tickled that you enjoyed. Thanks for letting me know. :)

Good for you, Kappa. I have a hunch the trees appreciate the attention and can give something back in return.

Thanks, Lady Fi. :)

Cay said...

Great shots, Frank. Anyone who liked these would love the film "Rivers and Tides" about the amazing Scottish earth artist Andy Goldsworthy. I've been an Andy fan for years. The DVD is pretty easy to find, as are his books. The books are especially good for his forest projects.

Frank Baron said...

Thanks Cay. I'll check him out.

Dianne said...

this brought tears to my eyes, it was so wonderful in its appreciation of and gratitude for these wonderful beings

I often hear the trees in my yard whisper to one another
lately they have been encouraging a tiny wounded tree to carry on - I visit the tree nearly every day to encourage it
people laugh at me, one neighbor tells people I'm "screwy"
but I don't care - the trees know the truth
and there are people like you and Hil out there :)

Wendy said...

Oh my trees in my back yard are alive and well. I have a Grandfather Oak, a Lady (triple twisted trunk of some kind of maple), and a Beauty. Archie and Alisha (also maples) are going steady. Just don't tell anyone yet please! Akasha is a huge oak at the front of the driveway, guarding our property. Nothing gets past him.

I love your trees. They speak so many languages. And the last pic is my favourite of all.
Found you at Hilary's blog.

MagnoliaGirl said...

Ahh Frank, these are simply fantastic, some of your best work, yet!

Theresa said...

Not feed the fluffy mammals?

GADS!!!

Frank Baron said...

That's the spirit, Dianne. The trees do know the truth - that you're one of the good'uns. :)

Hi Wendy. Sounds like you have a wealth of trees around, and that you appreciate them. I'm sure the feeling is mutual. Thanks for the visit. :)

Thanks MG. :)

Theresa, you need to clean your glasses again.... ;)

Tabor said...

Wonderful photos and a lovely post. Of course, one of my love affairs is with trees!

Bernita said...

So beautiful, your photos, the soul in trees.

Jeff B said...

Came by on a recommendation from Dianne.

Outstanding collection of photographs.

Land of shimp said...

I'm here via the mention on Hilary's blog. They are lovely shots, and so full of life. I could practically smell the forest.

Do you know what's rather funny? I knew I was looking at pictures from Canada. I live in Colorado, which is basically just a high desert so our forests are very different...but still, those looked like Canadian forests, identifiable as such.

Your forests and trees have such character. I really am convinced that there is magic in Canadian forests. Thank you for sharing that with us :-)

Mental P Mama said...

I had no idea you had a blog, too! I am a big fan of Hilary's, and now I have yours to visit for feasts for my eyes! Just wonderful. Love that cedar over the water.

Frank Baron said...

Thanks Tabor. :)

And you, Bernita. :)

Thanks Jeff. (And Dianne.) ;)

Thank you for the visit and kind words, Shimp. I believe there's magic in all forests. Pretty sure you Coloradans weren't left out. :)

Thanks Mama. And thanks to Hilary (and Sandi) for touting my blog. :)

Maria said...

Very nice post!

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