Otherworldly

I made the tight right-hand turn that took me off the maintained section of roadway and on to the forest service road. From here to my destination the road was going to be a rougher journey. But, with each jostle over rocks and thunk through potholes, my excitement built. I enjoyed this section of the drive. Leaving tourists and day hikers behind, I climbed steadily up the mountainside. I had come to this section of forest many times; I have many photographs from this area. And I was just beginning to feel like I was getting to know these trees.

There was the Smiling Stump that always passed its smile on to me. The Moss Spider that was crawling its way down the hillside and continued to vex me on how get an image. The Underlings bending and twisting around the column bases of pine trees I happened across while the leaves shone brightly yellow. But it was the stately big leaf maple that stood proudly in its own little clearing that was my favourite. In every visit to this area, I would stop and marvel at this tree; the moss covered being that bent and twisted in opposition to its neighbors. And, with all my visits, it remained silent, never telling me its name.

Today, like many in the Pacific Northwest, was an overcast day, cloudy with pockets of rain. The rain currently had let off, but moisture hung in the air like mist. The clouds overhead dimmed and softened the sun’s light while tinting it a cool blue. The undergrowth twinkled with droplets anywhere the light broke through.

I parked in my usual spot, hopped out, and took a deep breath in through my nose. I love doing this practice, taking in the smells of the forest followed by breathing out what remained of the city I left over an hour ago. Time to slow down, slow down to the pace of nature.

Putting my camera pack on my back and closing up my car, I slowly worked my way through the soft ground cover towards my old friend. I picked my way gingerly, seeking rocks and roots to minimize my impact on the growth. On a previous visit I had begun to notice evidence of my passing through so now, I made a greater effort to leave less behind. And then, a short way off, in the clearing it had always been, stood silently this tree. I stopped where I was and stared in amazement.

I had viewed this tree from this vantage point many times, I had many images taken from within ten feet of where I now stood. What was different today was the light. The cool blue of the cloud filtered sunlight was bouncing off the surrounding turquoise pine shifting it once again towards a teal. Additionally, the clearing gave a gap in the canopy letting more light reach the tree while keeping the surrounding area in shade.

I set up my camera quickly. I knew my composition from my previous visits. I checked and double checked all my settings. Focus, check. Exposure, check. Camera level, check.

Click.

I got one shot and the clouds shifted, darkening the area and my friend who, for a well deserved moment in time shone bright with its regality, blended into the surrounding forest.

Images are printed on Moab Fine Art paper.

Most prints are made to order as I keep minimal stock, please allow time for me to print your order. Large prints (A1 and up) are printed to order from Saal Digital, please allow additional time for these orders. Thanks!