(Not Ready For Prime Time) - Trees -

[TahitiNut]

Just for grins (and since I'm bored), I thought I'd slap up a couple of 'trees' even though my (cheapo Kodak P'n'S) snapshots obviously aren't in the same league as the competitive stuff.


In another thread, I'd made some remarks about an awesome 'Royal' Oak in a neighbor's yard, so I tried to get something on chip that gave y'all some idea what I was talking about. My little Kodak can't go wide enough and since we're talking about a suburban neighborhood with limited ways to get an angle on it without houses, cars, power lines, other trees, and God-knows-what cluttering the shot, I couldn't get the whole tree in frame.

I tried to catch the neighbor at home to get permission to go in their backyard, but I couldn't find anyone at home. I asked two neighbors that I know and they don't know these people. Sooo... until I get permission (I'm just not inclined to trespass) to lay down under the tree or climb up into it, this (from their driveway, outside the gate) is about the best vantage point I could find that was accessible.

I have to figure this big fella is well over 65 years old. Older than me and in far better shape. Handsomer, too. I remember this area from when I was a toddler in the 40s ... it was mostly woods where my uncles hunted for pheasant. Fifty years ago, the developers came in. Thank God they didn't 'harvest' this one.

As a side note, we've had blue skies forecast for some time. It was supposed to be clear/blue on Friday (yesterday). It wasn't. It was supposed to be clear/blue on Saturday (today). It wasn't. It's supposed to be clear/blue Sunday (tomorrow). I've stopped holding my breath. (#$%^T&* Mitchigun! :grr: )




"... from little Acorns grow"


(Edited from original - Shutter: 1/60 sec; Aperture: f2.80; Focal length: 37mm; ISO 100)





Last (2005) Thanksgiving morning (early), we had a "wake-up call" ...



"Timmm-burrrr!"


(Edited from original - Shutter: 1/125 sec; Aperture: f5.60; Focal length: 37mm; ISO 100)

[NV Whino]

1. Holy shit!

how big is that tree? Is it a locust? Looks like a major next of some kind up there, too.

[TahitiNut]

3. It's an oak tree. (I live in Royal Oak, Michigan)

The nest is a squirrel's nest, I think. I'm guessing the tree is approximately 100-120' high. Its spread is probably 60-70'. (The one that fell was a dead maple, maybe 50-60' high.)

I'm told it's a Bur Oak but I don't know. I think of it as one of the "Royal Oaks" from which the township got its name over 170 years ago. The first 'industry' here was a sawmill that made 5 x 6 inch oak rails for the railroad.



Historically, the "Royal Oak" is the one under which King Charles II of England took sanctuary from enemy forces in 1660.

About Royal Oak, Michigan ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Oak,_Michigan

[jhain]

2. Do I remember you posting this??

I *think* I remember you posting this when it happend. Or I am having deja vu all over again.

Great shot. Enter it!

[TahitiNut]

5. I can't remember if I did or not. (My brain hibernates in winter.)

(Well, it hibernates in the summer, too.) :shrug:

I really don't think it's (the Oak) contest-quality or even close. I'd rather not embarass myself again. (The fallen tree is even worse. Barely insurance claim quality, even.)

[CC]

6. I think the oak

is contest quality. Specially under the conditions you had taking it. It is hard to capture and show the size of such a big tree. The shed actually gives it some scale and it is a beautiful tree.

The tree on the house would of been a great one for juxtaposition contest back a couple months ago.

[TahitiNut]

7. You're being kind. The thing is ...

... it's the majesty of the subject that gives the photo impact. While I suppose I didn't get too much in the way, I surely didn't find a way of composing a perspective that brought out additional facets. The sky was overcast, the light was flat, and anyone with a throwaway camera could do what I did without even trying. If I get a sunny day .. and permission to get in the back yard ... I'll wander around it and see what angle I can get on it. It can be a challenge, but not under the constraints the last two days.

One of the reasons I even posted the snapshot is to stimulate the imaginations of you folks ... so you could toy with ideas in your own minds on how you'd go at it. It's the subject that deserves it - not my simple snap.

Every time I walk by that house, taking a walk (physical therapy for my mother), I look at that tree and marvel at how awesome it is. It's the oak of oaks ... a very proud exemplar of it's species. In my mind, such a subject is worth a lot more imagination and effort.

[NashVegas]

4. Oh, That's Grand

sorry about the spiller.

I was sitting under an old oak tree tonight, trunk was about 3-4 feet in radius. Squirrels were dropping all matter of interesting stuffs on us.

[Eurobabe]

8. That is an awesome oak tree!

I would enter it, slots are filling up fast -- who knew trees would be such a popular subject?