Trees, Glorious Trees!

“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

For the past ten years, I have spent a great deal of each summer traveling and photographing.  This summer has been quite different.

Although I have not been able to spend weeks away from home exploring, I have managed to make short day trips to nearby places to create photographs of beautiful things.

Trees have always fascinated me.  I love observing and photographing them in all seasons and in all types of weather.

When I visit a place, I focus on what mostly catches my eye.  During a day trip to Grandfather Mountain, it was the patterns in the wood of this tree.  People walk by this tree every day on their way to the bridge there.  I wonder how many notice its beauty.

One of my favorite places to observe and photograph trees is on Roan Mountain.  There are sections of forest that intrigue me.

We were able to take one trip away from home this summer.  We were very careful and spent most of our time outdoors enjoying the healing power that nature provides.

The Angel Oak, located on John’s Island, is an amazing sight.  On the morning of my visit, I had the tree to myself for a period of time as the rain kept other visitors away.

Botany Bay is a place that beckons me anytime I am in the area.  I always look forward to seeing how the little tree at the entrance to Botany Bay has been decorated.

The tree lined drive to Botany Bay always puts on a show.  I photograph it every time I visit.  Each time, it takes on a different look depending upon the lighting conditions.

The Swan Lake Iris Gardens, located in Sumter, SC, is a wonderful place to enjoy swans and other wildlife interacting with the trees.

As summer break is coming to a close for me, this tree will watch over the sunflower fields until next summer.

I hope the next time you are out, you will take time to appreciate the beauty of trees!