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Specter of a Tree


Specter of a Tree
Photo Information
Copyright: Robert Shannon Sr (eqshannon) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2501 W: 216 N: 9373] (27911)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-25
Categories: Trees
Camera: Nikon D50, SIGMA 28-70mm 1:2.8-4 DG
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Tree faces and scuptures, TreeBark, bobair's favorites beyond the alloted amount. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-12 7:29
Viewed: 1072
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note

By the shade of this old tree
In the summer of my dreams
By the tall grass, by the wild rose
Where the trees dance as the wind blows...



It is October after all...This is the month of Halloween. So I present to you, my best rendition of a specter in nature. Specters are ghosts, of course. There is no real difference between a ghost, specter, shade, revenant, etc. -- the choice of name is an arbitrary one. This willow tree is completely without bark around its base, and gives off a feeling of ghostliness in the dark. Apparently the tree is doing very well without bark. An unusual site in itself without ascribing other spirits and values to it. Yet is does have a definite wicked face to its grain. And it is indeed buried in a remote wooded section of hills and forests surrounding Eastern Washington. Not sure if I would venture near there on All Hallows Eve.....

The leaves and bark of the willow tree have been mentioned in ancient texts from Assyria, Sumer and Egypt as a remedy for aches and fever,and the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal properties in the 5th century BC. Native Americans across the American continent relied on it as a staple of their medical treatments.

In 1763 its medicinal properties were observed by the Reverend Edward Stone in England. He notified the Royal Society who published his findings. The active extract of the bark, called salicin, was isolated to its crystalline form in 1828 by Henri Leroux, a French pharmacist, and Raffaele Piria, an Italian chemist, who then succeeded in separating out the acid in its pure state. Salicin is acidic when in a saturated solution in water , and is called salicylic acid for that reason.
PaulH, Silke, jaycee, nglen, CeltickRanger, angybone, pankajbajpai, tiklod, EOSF1, c_rapp, jmirah, ramthakur, oscarromulus, LordPotty, bobair has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 23 N: 3656] (13083)
  • [2007-10-12 8:21]

Hi Bob,
This is almost bordering on simulcra...i love these kind of shots. Superb detail and a great note about the Willow, a tree traditonally revered in Paganistic rituals and practises here in the UK for thousandss of years. Very well seen, have a good weekend.
Paul

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 727 W: 98 N: 1694] (5406)
  • [2007-10-12 8:29]

I am late this morning -- would have liked to be a little closer than three storeys above you :D

Great posting for Halloween month!
Superb details in this ancient willow -- possibly a species of Ent ?? :D

TFS
silke

Hi Bob, splendid old trunk with a specter inside, original and excellent, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-10-12 11:32]

Hi Bob,

There is no doubt that there is a face in that tree! You have such a wonderful talent for seeing what most of us would miss. A fascinating old tree and a good shot.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8623] (32138)
  • [2007-10-12 12:03]

Hi Bob. Good for you for seeing this old tree. as you say not to hard to see a face in the trunk. well taken and good detail.
Nick..

Have a good weekend my friend.

Hi Bob,
very good haloween story and very strange tree, a great Egshannon's pic with an excellent point of view
a great cheer my old ghost friend,
Pat

salut Bob

est-ce un arbre ou un animal ? (rire)
superbe ta photographie, sur cet arbe moi je vois
des yeux, un museau et nez, et une bouche

très belle photo, merci beaucoup

Asbed

I've always believed in tree spirits...I see faces in most of them. :)
I even have a secret fairy tale about them that I'll share someday. ha ha

Wonderful shot...looks like Winny the Pooh to me!

very very imaginative!

greetings!

Subhayan.

HI Bob,
Ooohhhh a spooooky old tree, good photo for the Month of October and the spoooky theme going on! TFS
Donna:o)

hello bob,
you have this talent of noticing and shooting where most of us will ignore easily. this tree has a face for sure. liked the pov and the composition,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Bob,
Very good IMAGINATION !!!
This tree is frightning! Excellent composition. GOOD NOTES TOO!
Thanks for sharing,

Claude

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2007-10-13 9:03]

Hello Bob ! It's a bit scary, it looks like a bear or some dog or wolf ! Well seen and perfectly done my friend ! Great note as always ! Have a good day mon ami !

Mario

it is almost freaky feeling. Great intriguing picture very cool pov. Nicely captured. TFS
Christan

My Gestalt sees a dog's face in this curious tree trunk, Bob.
Thanks for sharing this interesting image.
Best regards.
Ram

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2007-10-13 22:30]

Hi Bob,
Just marking this shot for a proper critique later. Hoping that my internet problem will be solved by the evening. Sorry again.
Regards.
Sumon

Hi Bob,
Excellent October capture as we approach All Hallowed Eve. Fine detail and POV. Very well done.

TFS
Jim

Such an abundance of knowledge you are sharing, so very freely too, Bob.
As far as I'm concerned you are one of the, THE, "THE" greats in this world; and, very few are aware of the great person in you. Love your soul.
At first I thought you had registered an "ugly SICK bear"; but once I opened it .... boy .... how lovely.!!!
The best to you from the NORTH.

Hi Bob,
I'm afraid I've missed rather a lot of your pics,so I'm trying to catch up a bit.
This is an interesting shot of a tree face.
I hope you don't mind if I add it to a theme I started some time ago ... Tree Faces and Sculptures.
Cheers
Steve

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 397 W: 118 N: 1420] (5128)
  • [2008-11-22 20:26]

Hi Bob,
what an interesting little bit of simulacra,uncanny in it's way.There are many things if one uses their imagination that can represent a reality that is and isn't really there,a sort of surrealism if you will.That is perhaps one of the reasons I dig Salvador Dali's artwork so very much-the sum is greater than the parts that make the larger whole,such as is this photo.Who said photos have to be unimaginative as this really fits in with the spirit of the Halloween.A night ride through Sleepy Hollow and those clawing trees!The face of this willow has character and is well photoed by you,Bob.The technical details are a given and need no more said about them.It is a wonder,why until recently I hadn't paid your works more attention as it is plain to me you are a cut above most because you see,really see your subject and know it beyond seeing,if you can believe that.I think we humans have to put some years under our belts to get to the point of the point of things,as I think you understand.Photography is more than just the image but the emotions the image conveys.Bob thank you for something really worthwhile,it is to quote an old catch word-groovy. Bob

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