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Avenue des Baobabs 3


Avenue des Baobabs 3
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1213 W: 0 N: 4642] (13806)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-21
Categories: Trees
Camera: Canon 1D Mark II, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Selen's Favorites II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-16 8:28
Viewed: 543
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 74
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Avenue or Alley of the Baobabs is a prominent group of baobab trees lining the dirt road between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina in the Menabe region in western Madagascar. Its striking landscape draws travelers from around the world, making it one of the most visited locations in the region. It has been a center of local conservation efforts, and was granted temporary protected status in July 2007 by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, the first step toward making it Madagascar's first national monument.

Along the Avenue are about a dozen trees about 30 meters in height, of the species Adansonia grandidieri, endemic to Madagascar. Baobab trees, up to 800 years old, known locally as renala (Malagasy for "mother of the forest"), are a legacy of the dense tropical forests that once thrived on Madagascar. The trees did not originally tower in isolation over the sere landscape of scrub but stood in dense forest. Over the years, as the country's population grew, the forests were cleared for agriculture, leaving only the baobab trees, which the locals preserved as much in respect as for their value as a food source and building material.

The area is not a national park, and the trees are threatened by further deforestation, effluent from encroaching rice paddies and sugarcane plantations, and brush and forest fires. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, the area has no visitor center or gate fees, and local residents receive little income from tourism. Conservation International in partnership with Fanamby, a Malagasy NGO, has launched an ecotourism project aimed at conservation of the area and economic improvement for the local community.
Juyona, jaycee, Matt-Bird, vanderschelden, CatherineD, Gert-Paassen, zulfu, bahadir, SelenE, rousettus, boreocypriensis, rcrick, eqshannon, CeltickRanger, Heaven, Evelynn, horia, Miss_Piggy, maurydv, haraprasan, albert, Argus, ramthakur, uleko, mohaiminawang, cicindela has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2000 W: 6 N: 1953] (13047)
  • [2008-07-16 8:32]

Hola James,
magnifico disparo,
preciosos gigantes,
buenos detalles y reflejos.
saludos

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 8 N: 4335] (14097)
  • [2008-07-16 8:35]

Hi Neighbor,

Very beautiful and unusual looking trees. A lovely view of them with the wonderful reflections. The trunks are so unique. Very pretty setting and composition.

Jane

Hello James,
I was certain this pic was yours.
Awesome content and very educational.
The lighting is great as well.
Well done overall.
TFS
Annick

Hello James,
Very nice shot of this mythic place. This giants are really well captured with splendid colours and reflections. Very interesting note too. TFS,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1901 W: 4 N: 5175] (19712)
  • [2008-07-16 12:27]

Hi. James. This is an amazing picture . You have captured such rich colours and detail I love the way the trees make the refection in the dark waters. Now the trees i have never seen anything like this. so unusual and bi about. as a bonus you have the moon against the blue sky. TFS interesting notes.
Nick..

Hi James,

Absolute master piece photo with the reflection on water and the moon over the sky. 5 stars.

regards
Cypturk

Hi James,

What a beautiful treescape with the reflecyions on the water.
Nicely composed and pov.

Gert

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 931 W: 5 N: 2440] (9157)
  • [2008-07-16 13:22]

Hi James,whit this wonderfull pic you remember me my best trip in my life,i know this place and it's one of the most beautifull in the world....thanks a lot to show us this beauty,have a nice day,Luciano

Hi James, great shot, the reflections are perfect, the moon is even visible "inverted" on the water.The tree's look quite stunning, stark beauty... good notes as well.. regards h

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 0 N: 70] (491)
  • [2008-07-16 13:34]

Hello james, Wonderful capture of these boabab trees with lovely composition. TFS.
Mehmet

Hello James, Wonderful shot of these interesting trees. TFS. Regards, Bahadır

  •      
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2307 W: 59 N: 3688] (11816)
  • [2008-07-16 13:51]

Hi James,
This is a beautiful photo. Composition, light, colors, POV and the reflections look great. Goes to my fav's.
Well done and TFS
All the best,
Selen

Hi,
On the road now with slow connection. Just marking up the best ones this time.
TFS
Pekka

Hi James
Nice to see again famous Baobabs of Madagascar with your great shot. Reflection, focus, POV and composition great. Thanks. best wishes
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 586 W: 40 N: 1063] (3442)
  • [2008-07-16 17:20]

Hi James,

Wow simply stunning, beautiful light, superb colours, excellent d.o.f a real master piece, :)

t.f.s Rick ....

At times I think you study where you go very well before the trip eh? You always seem to know the proper place to be at just the right time...I have seen a familiar tree such as this in Florida many years ago when I visited there every summer (out of season to save) but nothing close to the girth of these puppies! Cool. You're always full of pleasant surprises..I truly hope you enjoy your travels as much as I enjoy your sharing them!
Bob

hello James

wonderful shot of this trees, very fine POV & DOF
with the luminous background, beautiful luminosity and colours, wonderful reflection on the water and educative notes TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 409 W: 83 N: 769] (2937)
  • [2008-07-16 21:27]

Hi James!

You present us this well known spot in a delightful manner: the soft colour tones and the delicate reflections highlight these droll shapes and patterns.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-16 21:56]

Hello James

A super capture of this forest of baobabs.
The clarity is wonderful.
Excellent focus and sharpness.
Well composed.
The lighting is very good with deep colours.
TFS

Rob

I love these trees as well as your image of them. The arrangement of trees in the frame and the wonderful reflections make for a strong composition. The colors and light are really nice. The image does need a slight rotation to the left.

TFS
Evelynn : )

The colours are incredible here. You selected a nice point of view. Everything including the reflections is a nice sight here. TFS

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2047 W: 212 N: 3658] (12174)
  • [2008-07-17 0:31]

Hi James

Another splendid shot of the baobabs from this place.
I remember the first one that you've posted from here and how much i liked it...this one, too, is outstanding!
I really like the vertical compo and the reflection in the water, plus the big bonus - the moon - that really adds to the scene.
Wonderful work in all aspects!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi my friend,
What a glorious capture of these intresting-shaped baobab trees and great reflections on the surface my friend. 1st class shoot indeed. Very impressive... TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

Hallo James
Picture postcard perfect. The scenery and the reflections are breathtakingly beautiful. I can just imagine sitting there now, wow. A dream place to be and to appreciate. Great exposure with strong contrasts managed well, great detail and beautiful colours. Excellent photography. Of course the moon way up in the sky is the cherry on the cake and rounds of this lovely scenery. Thanks for this contribution of this smooth looking trees. Best Regards.
Anna

Hi James,

Beautiful scenery, such a clear cean image with the moon as well.
Great shot James.
regards
Matt.

Stupenda composizione simmetrica di questi baobabs riflessi nell'acqua, meravigliosa la luce e i colori dalle tonalità calde, una bellissimo paesaggio con questi "giganti" che si stagliano verso il cielo. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi James,
A lovely capture of these beautiful Boabab trees. Superb composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello James,
Nice capture of a very nice light, I like the reflection in the water
Well done
albert

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2496 W: 132 N: 7098] (22175)
  • [2008-07-17 3:51]

Hello James,
A superb capture of a group of remarkable Baobab trees that are well known among the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar. The lighting and their reflections in the lake add to the beauty of this image.
TFS,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 844 W: 4 N: 2088] (9792)
  • [2008-07-17 4:11]

Hello James, Just beautiful and excellent. Wonderful shadow and superb sharpness. Great reflection and you have done an excellent comopsed shot here. Ganesh

Splended shot, james!
Very well done!
Goldy

I have another picture of these marvellous trees in my favourite list from your past postings of them, James.
This is a perfect mirror image of these stately trees at the time of the day when the light is just right for this kind of a shot.
This too is going to be my favourite.
Ram

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2378 W: 164 N: 7139] (22556)
  • [2008-07-17 7:52]

Hello James,
Terrific capture of these old and very tall Baobab trees! Wonderful reflections in the water and colours and details are beautiful.
I like the moon too! :-)
Very interesting to read your note!
Many thanks and cheers, Ulla

Hi James,

enjoy seeing your post,great light and colour,amazing landscape..sometime i am confuse with the scale,very effective play of reflection TFS

regards
mohaimin

  • Great 
  • sismhm (55)
  • [2008-08-06 11:01]

Hola, James:
Sinceramente magnífica !
La pureza de los colores y el reflejo en el agua son hermosos.

Hello James!
The title is simply great to this picture! Avenue of Babobas! Both perfect and very correct! ;)
I like water reflections and very nice colouration of photo.
Best regards,
Radomir

What can I say that hasnt already been said over and over. This is a beautiful shot, as are the others in your gallery. You must travel alot a wonderful thing.

Congradulations

Happy Snapping
Nicki

  • Great 
  • reina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 262 W: 1 N: 321] (1978)
  • [2008-09-06 13:07]

Very interesting spot. Very nice use of the reflection, Well Done, Reina

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