Project Athena - Day 70 (Trees)

From the Ashes

Life is the fire that burns and the sun that gives light. Life is the wind and the rain and the thunder in the sky. Life is matter and is earth, what is and what is not, and what beyond is in Eternity.
— Lucius Annaeus Seneca

This tree remains standing almost two years after a forest fire scorched an area of Moraine Park in late 2012. The ground vegetation has grown back abundantly in the valley since then, covering the burn area with a soft blanket of green grasses and colorful wild flowers.

The charred blackness of this tree in stark contrast to the blue sky, the green grasses or the white snow reminds me that the earth continuously transforms itself with fire and out of those ashes, the most beautiful life is born.

RMNP, Colorado

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 18mm • F/13 • 1/20s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 69 (Trees)

I confess. I am a tree hugger.

What did the tree learn from the earth to be able to talk with the sky?
— Pablo Neruda

This tree has been on my radar for awhile now. I have actually attempted to photograph it several times before today and each time, the elements have not cooperated. Although tonight was windy and I couldn't use a tripod, I snapped a few hand held frames in hopes that I could hold the camera steady enough for a sharp image. I got one. Smiling.

RMNP, Colorado

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 18mm • F/413 • 1/80 • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 68 (Trees)

The Giving Trees

Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come to play
Swinging from the branches, sleeping in the shade
Laughing all the summer’s hours away.
And so they love,
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.
— The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein

Chapungu Sculpture Park in Loveland is little sanctuary in the city is one of my favorite places to walk, sit, meditate, and take pictures.

I was very surprised to find the leaves on the trees already beginning to turn color. Fall is just around the corner. Smiling.

Chapungu Sculpture Garden, Loveland, CO

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 24mm • F/4.5 • 1/20s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 67 (Trees)

Wood Turned to Stone

Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.
— Mark Twain

Petrified wood has been around practically since time began. How amazing that, under specific conditions, the organic materials of a tree are replaced by agate or other stones as  the wood decomposes.

My crystal book says petrified wood is powerful in removing obstacles, helping restore physical energy and is good in relieving hip and back problems! This is definitely going to hang close to me for awhile!

Petrified Wood

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 55mm • F/14 • 1/2s • ISO 200 • Macro Filter