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Aspen Frosting


Aspen Frosting
Photo Information
Copyright: David Sidwell (dsidwell) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 175 W: 6 N: 181] (680)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-12-23
Categories: Trees
Camera: Sony DSC-F828, Hoya Circ Polarizer
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-12-24 11:04
Viewed: 1246
Points: 15
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Populus tremuloides. This aspen (common name) gets its name from the way the leaves tremble in the wind--very lovely indeed. However, this is winter, and so we must look elsewhere for interesting things about it. It is not difficult. Aspen has lovely bark, too.

Young trees and various subspecies have whiter bark, but this old timer (a relative term, for aspen are quite short lived), has the more yellow-beige bark found here at higher elevations.

Aspen are perhaps the most widely distributed tree in North America. They are very useful to birds and other animals for shelter and even food, but they make for poor logging--though some people use the white wooden logs to make beds and other furniture. They are a popular landscape tree, but this is not a good idea, for outside of their native habitate, they are the most disease and bug prone tree one could choose for a yard. Even here in the mountains they are attacked by many species of insect, particularly borers. Disease is also a problem. They overcome this as a species by making so many more so fast through rhyzomes. This causes another problem in landscaping, for the rhyzomes ultimately make more trees in the wrong places: like in the lawn or the street--yes, they'll even poke their way through the asphalt. They do better when planted among confers--a good tip if you can't resist planting one in your yard.

This native tree stands in the midst of many subalpine firs and douglas firs and lodgepole pines--trees that are, in fact, replacing it. Aspen are often one of the first species of tree to begin populating in areas, but they are eventually replaced by the firs and pines. This particular specimen was one of the few aspen left in this section of forest.

My daughter and I were snowshoeing when I came upon this tree, and I couldn't resist the light glow coming from the trunk and snow. Incidentally, the snow is there because winds have blown it there and it stuck. Luckily, the wind wasn't too bad for my daughter and I. I hope I've captured the magic of the light that was there. Enjoy and merry Christmas!
Callie, touristdidi, Esox, livios has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi David
Nice note, and thanks for the bit of snow that I can see, though not touch! I know about aspens via Louis L'Amour.
You must have a beautiful Chrismas - read my card to all on TN.

I live in Thornton, Colorado for 3 years when young. I remember going to the mountians to see the aspens change color. We never went in the snow there. Beautiful any time of year!

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-25 15:43]

When I saw the thumbnail I thought that only great winds could plaster the side of a tree with snow like this.

I like this composition and you handled the exposure very well.

Very well done and thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Esox Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 287 W: 27 N: 352] (948)
  • [2004-12-30 5:10]

An original composition.
I like the way you managed with the whites.
Thank you.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16856)
  • [2005-04-11 23:04]

David, I like this. I guess I wouldn't think of it as a subject, but your photo shows clearly it is, indeed, a subject - a nice one.

Great point of view and composition.

  • Good 
  • Deeb Silver Star Critiquer [C: 48 W: 0 N: 5] (14)
  • [2005-06-16 23:33]
  • [2]

Again, David. Your creativity is awesome. Your notes are excellant. This composition is good for me because you have isolated the drama of snow driven to stick to the tree trunk from any outside visual distractions.

I'm am guessing that if you were out during this snow storm, you may have been a bit cold.

hello:) what a beauty photo :) really amaizing is this photo:) great compo:) exellent DOF and POV

rgs

Malgosia

  • Great 
  • gail Gold Star Critiquer [C: 78 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-10-31 11:23]

Hi David,
THis is an unusual & interesting shot. It is nice & clear. I love the title. It is perfect for the picture.
Gail
p.s. here is a smiley face for you

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