Art By Nature

Ever since I started taking photography seriously, I've been paying attention to trees as I think these are not only interesting but mysterious too. Having only very limited knowledge about trees, always makes me wonder how certain things have formed and especially why.

City life can be of many kinds and in many cases development is done by sacrificing nature. Trees are cut, parks are eliminated, making space for new constructions. Birds have no place to live anymore and the remaining is chased away by force because they make a mess. Concrete takes over, parks are becoming smaller and smaller and in some cities plants are brought in in buckets and moved where they think these are needed.

Then fresh air becomes something you can only dream of and the distance between people and nature becomes bigger and bigger. Kids don't know any flowers or birds, just the ones they teach at school.

When I was in elementary school, we had to have a herbarium filled with certain medical plants. We were given a specific list and had to collect, dry and put them in the herbarium. If I were to do that today, I would be in a deep trouble as could not find any of those plants around my home, would be forced to go to the countryside to look for them.

Trees are tailored based on available space and overall look of the place. Branches are cut to adjust the height and the length to not bother people and/or electricity cables.

Ok, putting aside these (not exactly good or pleasant) things, looks at the photo above. I suppose an old branch has been cut and the tree had grown a protective ring around the wound.

This one must have been butchered several times over the years I suppose as the trunk looks terrible. Looking at the photo, if I will be wondering in a few years about when this photo might have been taken, I would know the answer right away, by looking at the mask. People have the habit of making a mess and then expecting others to clean up after them.

However, nature always finds a way. New branches are already growing, regardless of the municipality's plan.

Last week I was in an adventurous mood and before the snow started to fall, I ventured to the woods and saw a few interesting pieces, like this one above for example. There must have been a branch there, but time did some work on it and it looks like its days are numbered.

Same story here. The good thing many don't know about these trees is that these are heaven for insects, insects are necessary for the health of the wood, so it is a cycle.

This is my favorite of all. If you really want to see more than what really is, you can see a heart shape. It's not a regular heart shape, but it can be if you really want it to be. I was wondering how many years needed for that thick outer layer to form.

I can hardly wait for the tiny little green leaves to appear in spring. Each season has its own beauty and after three months of boring gray, seeing nature waking up would be a blessing. Till then, I get to discover these artworks.