Yesterday afternoon, after I walked around my local pond and the Jordan River Parkway Trail, I stopped to take close up photos of the bark on my neighbor’s American Sycamore tree.
American Sycamore bark close up – Nikon D500, handheld, f11, 1/400, ISO 640, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 70mm, natural light
The American Sycamore tree in Shane and Kimmie’s front yard has always reminded me of my time of living back east where these trees are native. I love the varying colors and patterns of the bark, the way the bark peels off in large irregular sheets, and how the bark feels to my fingertips. I notice the flaking of the bark more in the spring, summer, and fall than I do during the winter.
I had only a few minutes to take photos of the bark of the sycamore tree next door before the sun set behind the rooftops of the houses across the street.
In the gum trees at Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track, New South Wales, Australia
When I wrote about cottonwood tree bark in October I mentioned this:
When I visited Australia for the first time in the late 90’s, I touched the bark of many kinds of gum trees, or as they are also known, eucalyptus trees. I was intrigued by how some were smooth to the touch, while others were almost spongy, some were rough, and a few felt as if I were touching hieroglyphics engraved on the tree trunks. Those gum trees fascinated me and I touched a lot of them. All these years later, I can still recall how they felt. Our sense of touch can create memories as strong as those created by sight, hearing, and smell.
I recently located this photo of me on that trip to Australia wandering around in the bush at Pigeon House Mountain Didthul walking track on the trip. I enjoyed touching the trees there immensely. To my right in this in this image there was a huge termite mound that was taller than me. Regrettably, I wasn’t able to walk the track up to Pigeon House because the area had flooded just days before I went there and the hike would have been too dangerous.
I’ll probably continue to touch and photograph trees as long as I live. Why change something so wonderful now? I’m always happiest when I am out exploring nature no matter where I am on the planet.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.
Hi Mia – I, too, love trees. I was on a meditation course several years at Kripalu in Massachusetts. One day we were doing walking meditations on trails in the woods, when Our instructor had each of us select a tree, backup to it touching our heads and backs to the tree, then silently meditated with our eyes closed. It was AMAZING -such a powerful experience! I hope you try it & enjoy a powerful experience, too!
I too love the look, the scent, the feel of trees. And our eucalypts are incredibly varied.