Mother Tree

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 12, 2011366 views32 comments

My favorite ancient sweet birch...

4x5
210mm lens
warming polarizer
81a warming filter
Velvia 100

I'd appreciate your comments!

Lori

Comments

32 comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on January 12, 2011 at 11:53 AM

Amazing image Lori. I absolutely love. Magical!

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on January 12, 2011 at 11:55 AM

What a warted, gnarly old trunk! I almost expect Merlin to step out of the mist. Nice.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on January 12, 2011 at 12:22 PM

Beautiful Lori!! A scene filled with magic. Very well composed.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 12, 2011 at 12:37 PM

Lori, you perfectly reflect the atmosphere, my only wish would be a larger version!

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Mat Malone on January 12, 2011 at 1:09 PM

I can see why it's your favorite! I can't think of anything to improve. I can feel the cool, moist air on my skin

Registered on December 15, 2008, 91 Posts, 882 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Stough on January 12, 2011 at 2:02 PM

Wonderful Lori. This is about as fine an image of an old appalachian birch that one could ever wish for.

Registered on November 20, 2010, 26 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on January 12, 2011 at 2:29 PM

I'll echo the magical theme although I think it could use some big mushrooms and a fairy to complete the scene

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Julian Barkway on January 12, 2011 at 2:29 PM

Sweet photo, too! Lovely gentle mist caressing the tree...

Registered on January 18, 2007, 344 Posts, 1961 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on January 12, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Love it! the atmosphere and that old tree are wonderful. Is this in Tn?

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on January 12, 2011 at 2:48 PM

Magical looking woodland scene Lori, the big old tree looks magnificent. Your comp is excellent.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Lori Kincaid on January 12, 2011 at 3:17 PM

Thanks for the comments so far, everyone! I'm glad I was able to capture a little of this tree's magic. Paul, this was made in NC, off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Lori

Registered on November 15, 2003, 90 Posts, 2033 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on January 12, 2011 at 4:05 PM

Sweet shot, Lori. The mist adds a lot to the character of the tree

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on January 12, 2011 at 4:20 PM

Truly an amazing, wonderful image, Lori. The ancient birch has such presence yet the fog and the trees in the background along with the incredible greens all complement the birch as befitting such a patriarch or matriarch. Exquisite composition. An inspiring image and work of art. I can certainly see why this is a favorite tree.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on January 12, 2011 at 4:52 PM

What a sweet tree... very peaceful and your composition works beautifully. Expert use of those filters, too!

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 12, 2011 at 4:59 PM

A truly magnificent tree Lori surrounded by a beautifully ethereal forest. I really like the mood as well as the comp you chose to feature this splendid birch.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 12, 2011 at 7:10 PM

Wonderful! A very beautiful picture with a great mood. I love the misty feel and this light. Perfect comp.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on January 12, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Fantastic! I can see why it would be your favorite.. this tree really has some character. The distant trees and fog complete the woodland atmosphere, and the composition is just perfect. Very nicely done!

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

Comment posted by Ken Smith on January 12, 2011 at 8:57 PM

I think you did well with so difficult comp. Deciding what size of the frame the tree would occupy...and what portion of branching to crop...tough...this strikes a nice balance and harmony of left to right. I really like the lwr left side w/distinct lighting on leaves vs the darker grasses...very good 3D impact.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on January 12, 2011 at 9:38 PM

Beautiful, Lori.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 PM

That's a birch? I have a birch in my front yard and it is the type that look like an aspen. I love the twisted gnarled old tree here. Nice beautiful misty background too. Nice!

Chris

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 13, 2011 at 12:05 AM

Scheesh, Lori! That's one of the best "ancient tree" images I've seen. She's the Great Mother Tree, for sure! What a shot, especially moody with the misty look and the green cast I've noticed in the Southeast. Works so well here; used to good advantage to heighten the mood and primordial feel.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on January 13, 2011 at 2:35 AM

Oh wow, oh wow, oh WOW! I'm in awe, Lori. Intimate landscape photographs simply don't get any better than this.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by Lori Kincaid on January 13, 2011 at 5:43 AM

Thanks again, everyone! Chris, yes, this is a sweet birch (Betula lenta) AKA black birch. It's bark doesn't peel like the more readily recognizable white, yellow or paper birch, and it has wonderful medicinal qualities. If you ever need a toothpick in the woods, try a twig--it tastes like wintergreen and is great for the gums. It also contains the chemical precursor for aspirin.

Lori

Registered on November 15, 2003, 90 Posts, 2033 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 13, 2011 at 8:23 AM

Beautiful tree and gorgeous image, Lori! Subtle in color yet so rich in mood and detail.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on January 13, 2011 at 8:42 AM

excellent image, Lori!

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 13, 2011 at 1:09 PM

Wow, this ol' boy has seen some history! Love the comp and the fog's sense of mystery. Beautiful work Lori!

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

Comment posted by Wade Hardy on January 13, 2011 at 10:15 PM

Beautiful shot Lori! I love these old beech and birch forests.

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

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 13, 2011 at 10:58 PM

Magical light, great color. Excellent comp. Strong image!

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 14, 2011 at 1:26 AM

Lori,

If movies were real, then this would have to be "home tree" from the movie "Avatar." What a magnificent and stately tree - captures very gracefully with the assistance of some timely fog. Simply a wonderful image of a tree - that says so much about it's history and domain.

Lon

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

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on January 14, 2011 at 3:32 PM

Oh, my! What a wonderful scene, Lori. I feel like I am right there. The comp is perfect and the little bit of mist/fog is wonderful. In addition to the great main subject, I like those trees in the background, too.