PHOTOGRAPHY |PHOTO ESSAY
Are You a Tree Hugger? I Am.
Wrap your arms around one, and feel the love.
Did you ever hear or read something and thought, that’s it!, dropped everything, and went for it?
Well, a few days ago, Joe Luca commented on one of my stories about finding delights in everyday life. He said:
I try to take notice of my surroundings. Take pictures of trees that are interesting. Just so I remember them. Love trees.
That’s It!
I do, too. My roommate in Chicago couldn’t understand why I would take a picture of a dead tree; then caption it, Life.
Yeah, I am a weirdo, and I like myself that way.
Trees are Nature’s messengers. They invite us to slow down, even stop for a moment, take it all in, and LISTEN.
So I was going to respond to his comment with some of my tree photos. As I started looking for them on my computer and saving them in a folder, I thought, wait a minute, I can make a story out of these photos. I challenged Joe to do the same.
Dennett is a master (or is it, mistress, or madam?) at creating stories from photos. Check out her publication, Weeds and Wildflowers. Currently, she has invited her writers to share stories with images of Autumn Colors. But, I digress.
I came across the Featured Photo when I was walking along Buffalo Bayou, between Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway, near downtown Houston. I was looking to shoot Houston Skyline with nature in the foreground. I wasn’t happy with what I found that day, but I will go back to find what I was looking for.
Something similar to this photo of the Chicago Skyline, taken from Lincoln Park outside the Chicago Zoo.
Even in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the USA, you can find an opportunity to slow down and admire the beauty of nature and man, together in harmony.
“For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more, I revere them when they stand alone… to fulfil themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves. Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree.” ~Herman Hesse
The beauty of a tree is in its form, whether it grows tall, or wide; whether it is in the winter, devoid of leaves, or in the summer, full and lush.
Some of them spread their “arms” wide and join hands with their neighbors.
Others spread their love more than once by spreading out, reaching down, rerooting, and shooting out again.
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” ~ John Muir.
“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” ~Khalil Gibran
And I have read some beautiful poetry in my travels.
But, the best quality of trees is that even in “death,” they find ways to support and beautify life in many ways.
And, when was the last time you took a moment to reflect?
Finally, I want to share a moment where the Universe joined in on the action to remind me always to have fun. I was shooting one of the trees above from across the road on a country highway when God winked and said hello.
What is your favorite subject in Nature? Write about it, share your photos, and tag me so I can read and enjoy it, too.
As always, thank you for reading and responding.
Here are a couple of related stories:
Rasheed Hooda is a published author who has contributed to many of Medium’s top Publications; Start-up, The Ascent, P.S. I Love You, Rogues’ Gallery, and ILLUMINATION, to name a few. He is also a Top Writer on several topics. If you like his work, you can buy him a cup of coffee.
Testimonial by other writers.