Granary Tree

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 15, 20092,345 views40 comments

Detail of a portion of a "granary tree," as they are apparently called, filled with acorns stored by woodpeckers. The granary covered every inch of the remaining 25-foot high trunk of this long dead oak. Something I've probably walked past several times before without a second thought, but on this particular day it struck me as quite impressive.

Whether it translates into an interesting shot is probably debatable. And that's why I'm posting it here. So is it interesting, or just ho-hum? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Canon 5D, 17-40L at 36mm, f/18 for 1.0 sec (ISO 100).

Comments

40 comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on November 15, 2009 at 2:17 AM

I do think it is interesting Phil. I've shot it before differently as a piece of a scene but I do the vivid details it shows. Hope that woodpecker has enough for the winter.

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on November 15, 2009 at 2:47 AM

That's pretty impressive. What a great story to go with the image. Nice work.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on November 15, 2009 at 2:47 AM

I'm always amazed at intimate details that are so often overlooked. Yes, it is interesting and a great story telling image. Thank you for posting it.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on November 15, 2009 at 2:54 AM

Cool abstract Phil, and yes, very interesting! I remember seeing these trees, as well as seeing the acorn woodpeckers stuffing them while hiking in Malibu Creek State Park when I used to live in CA. I always thought they were cool!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Avi Hirschfield on November 15, 2009 at 5:39 AM

This is very interesting as I never knew they did this and have never seen this before

Thanks for sharing

Registered on November 1, 2003, 518 Posts, 2114 Comments

Comment posted by Wade Hardy on November 15, 2009 at 7:30 AM

There's no doubt in my mind - this is a wonderful image.

Registered on May 2, 2006, 121 Posts, 1824 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Budliger on November 15, 2009 at 8:40 AM

That's really cool!

Registered on June 11, 2006, 113 Posts, 2116 Comments

Comment posted by John Kerr on November 15, 2009 at 8:58 AM

Very interesting and educational photo all in one Phil. I never seen anything like before but I will keep my eyes open from now on. The photo has great contrast between the gray tree and acorns.

Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Mangas on November 15, 2009 at 9:58 AM

I think this is cool Phil, very interesting. Thanks for sharing it.

Registered on November 9, 2007, 94 Posts, 568 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM

This is very interesting Phil. Never seen anything like it. BTW - nice detail and lines. Makes a great abstract.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 15, 2009 at 10:29 AM

I don't think its debatable--anyone who doesnt think this is a cool shot probably should hang up their camera and take up knitting or something

I think it's fascinating. Shots like this are what nature photography is all about for me.

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on November 15, 2009 at 11:51 AM

Wow, this is very interesting Phil, and you did a wonderful job in the capture. Very striking image.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on November 15, 2009 at 12:21 PM

It is interesating. I love images that portray the absolutely amazing things about nature.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on November 15, 2009 at 1:16 PM

Wow, Phil! This is absolutely fantastic! I've never seen anything like this before.

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on November 15, 2009 at 1:40 PM

Wierd...very cool photo, but it's so odd that it almost bothers me...like looking at a photo of boils in a medical book. For some reason, the seeds in the tree disturbs me and I cant really say why.

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Wilson on November 15, 2009 at 1:42 PM

Interesting not only for its uniqueness but also for the lines and texture. I wonder how it would look as a B&W.

Registered on June 25, 2009, 7 Posts, 85 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Stankiewicz on November 15, 2009 at 2:03 PM

Very interesting composition. Those woodpeckers can be very creative.

Registered on October 26, 2008, 52 Posts, 462 Comments

Comment posted by Reed Bowman on November 15, 2009 at 2:12 PM

acorn woodpeckers! Great sharp detail in this shot. The warm color of the acorns really contrasts with the cool of the old dead wood. Very nice.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 166 Posts, 1058 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 15, 2009 at 2:58 PM

Phil, this is not only a well composed and executed image, but a fine documentary study on symbiosis. The need for survival of the woodpecker will unwittingly provide excellent chances for the oaks to survive as well. Thanks for sharing!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 15, 2009 at 3:32 PM

Phil,

This is one terrific nature story! Maybe most all have seen acorns being stowed in old trees, but this is an amazing find. Nothing really to criticize here. If anything, this belongs in a nature text book somewhere.

Great image!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Brauer on November 15, 2009 at 4:23 PM

Wow that is amazing. I've never seen or even heard of that before. The photo itself is great as well because of the interesting patterns and repetition.

Registered on September 12, 2005, 40 Posts, 627 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 15, 2009 at 4:55 PM

Whoa, some woodpecker and maybe a few squirrels and other critters are going to eat good this winter. I like the image just fine, especially for the story it tells.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on November 15, 2009 at 4:56 PM

Thanks for all the comments so far! I'm glad it wasn't just me that thought it was unique and interesting. I was seriously wondering if there would be much interest in it at all.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Sam Rua on November 15, 2009 at 5:36 PM

Nice find and a very good abstract comp, Phil. I think it is interesting.

Registered on September 9, 2006, 130 Posts, 2281 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Olson on November 15, 2009 at 7:36 PM

Great find! I love the lines and the acorns add a unique element to the lines. The colors here are great!

Registered on April 7, 2007, 169 Posts, 725 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on November 15, 2009 at 7:57 PM

Very cool!

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments

Comment posted by Chris White on November 15, 2009 at 7:58 PM

I find this very interesting. Cool that so many of the the acorns face root out ... like so many pimento-stuffed olives! Martini time!

Registered on February 27, 2007, 61 Posts, 945 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on November 15, 2009 at 9:29 PM

Very cool Phil! Whenever I seem to find such trees they're always empty, great that you found a full one!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Windom on November 15, 2009 at 10:20 PM

I think it's beyond interesting, more like fascinating. Great find!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 176 Posts, 2302 Comments

Comment posted by Pramod Viswanath on November 15, 2009 at 10:58 PM

Admiring this image since the time you posted this, Phil. The patterns are exquisite. Just love this frame!

Registered on December 4, 2008, 60 Posts, 697 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on November 15, 2009 at 11:28 PM

Very cool!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on November 16, 2009 at 5:16 AM

this is fascinating from an illustrative point of view - it demonstrated the biology very well. there is artistry with the patterns and textures as well but different points of view/b&w might explore these aspects further!?

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on November 16, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Hi Phil,

This is like a dream for that Scrat guy in Ice Age. I just love this and only wish I found it.

No nits, great photo.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on November 16, 2009 at 11:32 AM

really neat find here -- extremely interesting and well executed

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 16, 2009 at 3:37 PM

Very neat indeed Phil - both the content and the explanation. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Richins on November 16, 2009 at 5:08 PM

This certainly is interesting and tells a great story. However, the picture disturbs me a little too, and I can't put my finger on it either.

Registered on March 6, 2008, 113 Posts, 1009 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 16, 2009 at 7:06 PM

I think it's a great detail shot and has it's own very interesting story to go along with it. Nice work!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Igor on November 16, 2009 at 7:26 PM

Excellent.

Registered on February 22, 2009, 12 Posts, 618 Comments

Comment posted by Bruno Silva on November 16, 2009 at 8:07 PM

this is very interesting, imo. very unique. nicelly and done.....

Registered on May 6, 2009, 132 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Matthew Jellings on November 17, 2009 at 1:36 PM

Awesome capture, the subtle diffused lighting is great. There certainly is more intrique and story to this photo then most landscapes, and that makes it very appealing in my eyes, it gets your mind thinking about whats behind the photo.

Matt

Registered on November 1, 2009, 8 Posts, 97 Comments