Lone Bristlecone
It seems easier to find success where others have found success, but following a personal path may lead to a rewarding journey. Such was the case in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest of California’s White Mountains. The Patriarch Grove is home to dramatic bristlecone trees, the oldest living things on Earth. My goal was to photograph the trees of this grove, where many other photographers had already captured wonderful images. My wife, Linda, suggested an alternative hike along a steep ridge to an unknown destination. I followed her intuition, and together we discovered a lone bristlecone tree, high atop the ridge, catching the last warm rays of the sun as it set behind the Eastern Sierra Mountains. Our path was in the opposite direction of the famous grove, but it led to a single tree that symbolized the enduring strength and beauty of the bristlecone forest.
Canon Elan 7 camera and Provia 100 film.
Lone Bristlecone belongs to the following groups:
All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, American Southwest , AMERICAS NATURAL WONDERS, Film Photography, Fine Art of Landscape Photography, First Things, Images & Ideas, ImageWriting (2/24), JPG Cast-Offs, Landscape and Abstract Photography, MASTERS OF THE SCENIC, Minimalist Landscapes, Mountains and Mountain Light, Remember When, Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence! and Trees - 2 images per day with trees as the focal point Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Robert Mullner
Love this one…the warm tones are special…Great shot.
Stephen Williams
stunning shot.
fantastic light and so much character in the subject!
Simon Muirhead
awesome!
Vicki Moritz
Lovely shot and light
Cheryl Lunde
Lovely warm tones!
Jeremy1
Very nice chris,
The bristlecone tree really creates a nice capture.
Erwin G. Kotzab
I missed that…wonderful, Chris.
Chuck Wickham
This tree and that sky just a great comp.
Mark Heller
Great subject and beautiful composition/exposure. Love the band of faintly illuminated clouds rising to the left.
mcafeej
Wonderful shot. Great comp, color, light
Waleska Luker
Looks amazing, like its arms are still trying to reach the skyes.
Stephen Van Tuyl
Awesomely surreal!
Rany Lutz
Fantastic shot. These old trees should provide great opportunities for images.
CraigsMom
Just saw this in the “T” challenge, and had to come and add it to my favorites.
LindaR
beautiful ~ love your tale of how you came to see and capture this moment ~ these trees are just so magestic and deeply moving to me ~ the sunset and it’s light just adds so much ~ always trust my intuition ~ the gifts it brings never disappoint :) xx
Angel Warda
fab!
Paulette x
Lovely image, excellent composition and light.
forality
breathtaking.
Cora Wandel
chris Whitney replied
Thanks Cora.
Anne-Marie Bok...
Cricket
Stunning shot – stark and dramatic!
It humbles one to think that these trees have stood through so many epochs, so much change, yet they still stand, silent and imponderable.
Lovely, congrats on your feature!
Oh, and always trust a woman’s intuition…lol
:)
Clare Colins
Well worth the detour…it’s a great shot and you have made a lonesome tree into a dramatic statement…well done :)
KarenKSmith
Outstanding tree, shot and words..Congrats on the feature.
woof
love the way the light is touching the tree!!! nice photo!
CraigsMom
wonderful!!! congrats on your feature!!! Mary-Ann
David Clark
great light and writing – There are a few of these beauties in the mountains on the Utah/Nevada border—dave – congrats on the feature – dave
jenxie
off the beaten path- gotta love it.
nicholphoto
chris Whitney replied
Bradley, this is not the only time where Linda led me to “the shot”. I have definitely learned to trust her instinct.
Albert Dickson
A spectacular image of a classic subject. Cheers to you and Linda for traveling your own path. It sure paid off.
lefty1
brilliant capture, bravo!!
Lois Bryan
Chris … I have to tell you … I absolutely have goosebumps looking at this extraordinary image!!! Talk about “Road Less Traveled” ... you’ve proven once again the satisfaction and reward of NOT following the crowd … but of following your own heart … or your very intelligent wife’s, LOL!!! Truly gorgeous image … and congratulations on your Features!! VERY well deserved!!!!
jwinman
fantastic colors and composition!
lorilee
A fabulous image – just wonderful!!!!!!
Andrew Stockwell
Great shot. Great story behind the shot also. It makes it special, and it’s great when you get to shoot something iconic, and put your own spin on it.
Carol Barona
The tones are beautiful in this. Wonderful capture
Jase036
The composition on this is simply amazing, outstanding work!
8 – May – 2009
Jann Ashworth
Hi Chris: Super photo! Love the lines and rhythm of this lovely tree….not to mention also the combination of warm and cool tones. Makes me want to paint it!
photosbyflood
Hey Chris, I thought this shot looked very familiar. Hey this redbubble place is ok. Nice place to park while JPG gets it together. Very Very nice sthe image I mean.
KSkinner
Awesome work as usual Chris – the tones in ths are nothing short of amazing.
Scott d'Almeida
outstanding mate,
elfie
So much energy in this one,,,I love looking at it…wonderful work…
Bunny Clarke
Gorgeous scene and colors. Splendid work.
gail anderson
a favorite! wonderful color and light!
Jens Helmstedt
Wonderful !!!
Ralph Olsson
A perfect shot mate…as usual for your work…briliant:)
hans olsen
Love the simplicity.
Vicki Ferrari
Brilliant capture Chris! That tree looks like it is ready to get up and walk away! Glad you followed your wifes intuition and found this path and this amazing tree!
John Kowalski
Fabulous shot Chris! beautiful colour and light, fantastic subject!!
Jan Fijolek
Great capture, looks like tree with character ;)
Andrea Rapisarda
wonderful shot!!!
Sean McConnery
Awesome shot!
SimplyScene
Great image.
bearpaw
awesome shot! :)
BarbaraManis
Just love this one, awesome capture!
JOHAN (photowa...
GREAT SHOT AND STORY INSTANT FAV
Brian Carey
Lovely color and detail!
Enivea
Great story and image, congratulations on all your features.
mikebov
wonderful capture
Brendan Schoon
Stunning shot, great composition and the lighting is truly fabulous!! Very well done.
Brendan
Charlie08
A huge WOW Chris.. Smart wife, she has good intuition! ; )
johannesfrank
This excellent image is screaming for a b/w treatment ;-) very good work!!!
chris Whitney replied
Thanks Johannes-I posted a BW version.
gabbielizzie
congradulations on your feature
Andrew Murrell
Yasmina Baggili
Wonderful shot Chris
Dayonda
Chris, this is beautiful! It looks like all your work is great, but this old bristlecone just grabbed me.
shaneran
instant favorite!! love the whole feeling of the photograph!! What a beautiful gift to be there among those colors and shapes! wonderful!
Lois Bryan
STUNNING … SO majestic and powerful … a life force pulsing right out of the image!!!!!
Arla M. Ruggles
Majestic, indeed!
jaeepathak
Always listen to your wife, Chris! LOL
Anne-Marie Bok...
Lumase
Fantastic.
You might love this place
Diana Forgione
Beautiful photo! Amazing light!