The Giving Tree...

Anita Donohoe, 3 months ago

Linda, you have a wonderful eye.
You have captured the inherent beauty in this downed pine.
I see a spider in its web.
And I love spiders; they bring messages like you did with this compelling image.

Anita Donohoe, 3 months ago

PS: The Giving Tree is one of my all-time favorite stories.

LindaR in reply to Anita Donohoe’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you so much Anita ~ :)

LindaR in reply to Anita Donohoe’s comment, 3 months ago

mine too ~ so glad you know it ~ I can’t read it without being moved to tears xx

linaji, 3 months ago

Oh my God Linda, I feel the tears.. I thought you treated this photo… they are speaking to us.. so very sad,, but for trees I will believe life is as eternal for them as us… remember the clip of the brain scientist… There simply is no Death… Thank you so much… I love your spirit they were happy you were there!!

nikki75, 3 months ago

beautiful colour and lovely image.

LindaR in reply to linaji’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you Lina ~ xx

LindaR in reply to nikki75’s comment, 3 months ago

thanks nikki :)

felixx, 3 months ago

Well observed Linda, this is lovely

Bouzov, 3 months ago

Linda, I love the colour in this one. Have you touched it up or thats natural?

LindaR in reply to felixx’s comment, 3 months ago

thank so much Karen :)

LindaR in reply to Bouzov’s comment, 3 months ago

thanks Les ~ it was popped up a bit with saturation & the wood was wet and cloudy day – I wanted the colors to sing xx

Joanne Bradley, 3 months ago

The color is just spectacular. But how sad. We lost trees during an icestorm a few years back and it made me cry! But it is so good of you to see something positive in this tragedy. Great capture!

LindaR in reply to Joanne Bradley’s comment, 3 months ago

funny ~ I used to love trees as a little girl ~ one in particular I remember feeling like it was alive & my friend ~ full circle now…different but love all the same xx

wolfman, 3 months ago

just an amazing shot lindaR . it’s such a shame they were taken down so wrong…...............stu

LindaR in reply to wolfman’s comment, 3 months ago

thanks Stu :)

Antanas, 3 months ago

beautiful work

LindaR in reply to Antanas’s comment, 3 months ago

thank you Antanas :)

lianne, 3 months ago

Awe inspiring – my God I hate to see a tree cut down! Wonderful work Linda!

LindaR in reply to lianne’s comment, 3 months ago

thank Lianne ~ I am just back now from shooting more trees that have been cut down~met a runner who had the same feeling about it as I did ~ as he has been enjoying the same path and trees I have…xx

bellerjeau, 3 months ago

I just want to lay my head on it. its so warm.

Tony Fallon, 3 months ago

Beautiful colours and patterns. Kudos for your thinking and words.

LindaR in reply to Tony Fallon’s comment, 3 months ago

thanks Tony ~ I know you get it after finding yours earlier ~ xx

Jan Piller, 3 months ago

Wow – looks like at least 50 years old – beautiful beautiful image!

LindaR in reply to Jan Piller’s comment, 3 months ago

hi Jan ~ I think it is ~ thanks so much!

micmac, 3 months ago

This is outstanding ,fantastic colors and composition ,beautiful shot.

LindaR in reply to micmac’s comment, 3 months ago

thanks so much for all your kind words/comments ~ great way to wake up into my day :)

Mary Campbell, 3 months ago

Really nice shot, I do remember reading the “Giving Tree” to the kids when they were small, and yes this shot makes you think of all the years this tree was around giving to us..

LindaR in reply to Mary Campbell’s comment, 3 months ago

exactly Mary ~ thanks so much!

Jan Landers, 2 months ago

i love love love that book…..and this wonderful tribute to this ancient tree…..when we lived in arkansas, near the national forest, the forest service came in and cut down many many old trees…..the sound of it made me so sick inside…..my heart hurt…so i relate to where you were at this cutting…..but what a beautiful gift the tree continues to give….thank you from the heart for sharing this….trees are very close to my heart….and thank you for commenting on my art so i was led here…. :-)

LindaR in reply to Jan Landers’s comment, 2 months ago

oh Jan ~ I am so thankful you visited this one ~ after learning your feelings are very much as mine ~ I feel the pain over a few and you’ve had to bear witness to so many & much more…sending you a hug & feel glad that this might have given ease to your heart…xx

Al Williscroft, 2 months ago

wow this shot is amazing!!

LindaR in reply to Al Williscroft’s comment, 2 months ago

hi Al, thanks so much!

Mar Silva, 2 months ago

Very beautiful. Such a bittersweet story.

LindaR in reply to Mar Silva’s comment, 2 months ago

thank you Mar ~ bittersweet true!

Sophie Shapiro, 2 months ago

Linda this is stunning! I enclose a poem by Thomas Hardy…

The two executioners stalk along over the knolls,
Bearing two axes with heavy heads shining and wide,
And a long limp two-handled saw toothed for cutting great boles,
And so they approach the proud tree that bears the death-mark on its side.
Jackets doffed they swing axes and chop away just above ground,
And the chips fly about and lie white on the moss and fallen leaves;
Till a broad deep gash in the bark is hewn all the way round,
And one of them tries to hook upward a rope, which at last he achieves.

The saw then begins, till the top of the tall giant shivers:
The shivers are seen to grow greater with each cut than before:
They edge out the saw, tug the rope; but the tree only quivers,
And kneeling and sawing again, they step back to try pulling once more.

Then, lastly, the living mast sways, further sways: with a shout
Job and Ike rush aside. Readied the end of its long staying powers
The tree crashes downward: it shakes all its neighbours throughout,

And two hundred years’ steady growth has been ended in less than two hours.

Wonderful that you have placed this tribute to this Magnificent TREE on RB! Thank you!S

LindaR in reply to Sophie Shapiro’s comment, 2 months ago

I could feel every verse ~ and my heart hoped for a happy ending that somehow the tree won the war ~ but it doesn’t, does it ~ “executioners” is right and I’ve long seen this coming as the orange “X” glowed on their trunks…I am glad to have you and others share in my experience here ~ thank you for your post xxx L
ever see the children’s story of “ferngully” ~ another fav of mine I used to watch with my kids :)

Sophie Shapiro, 2 months ago

No, can I goggle it?S

Dawne Olson, 2 months ago

This picture is so amazing in that it seems to be a sun or star or some other kind of abstract shining beauty … then when you open the thumbnail to view it larger it is a delightful surprise and full of hope and sadness all at the same time.

LindaR in reply to Dawne Olson’s comment, 2 months ago

hi Dawne ~ thank you so much ~ “full of hope and sadness all at the same time” ~ very much the kind of feeling I had ~ so glad came by :)

dinghysailor1, 2 months ago

Hey congratulations on being an april trees comp winner with this one – it certainly had my vote!
welll done!
:)

Joanne Bradley, 2 months ago

Congrats Linda on being voted to be among the featured trees gallery. I am really glad to see you were included since I think this image deserved the recognition!

LindaR in reply to dinghysailor1’s comment, 2 months ago

thanks so much ~ I just found out ~ I feel so honored!! :)

LindaR in reply to Joanne Bradley’s comment, 2 months ago

hi Joanne ~ thanks so much for the congrats and all your supportive encouragement :) ~ what a treat!!

AngelArtist, 2 months ago

Why did they cut the trees down? =( This is a lovely image; on the stump appears to be a golden sun.

LindaR, 2 months ago

hi AngelArtist ~ I am not sure why ~ more landscaping than any other reason ~ yes, I do see the sun too ~ check out my “sailing” and you’ll see that even more ~ thanks so much for you visit :)

RSart, 2 months ago

i see this and i think, sun, fire, galaxy and the patterns you find on shells and Erupting Volcano, water and sane ripples…... all comes to remind us that nature is and will always be our greatest inspiration

LindaR in reply to RSart’s comment, 2 months ago

I love your word woven imagery and insight ~all so true ~ well you know this as I’ve seen your art & it reflects your eye misses nothing…I so appreciate your visit, it’s been inspiring :)

JOSEPH VALCOUR..., 2 months ago

beautiful gift you have given us. Joe

LindaR in reply to JOSEPH VALCOURT/ MODERNUS PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTWORK’s comment, 2 months ago

thanks so much Joseph :)

Rosina Lamberti, 2 months ago

omg what a pity they have been cut down, any reason for it

LindaR in reply to Rosina Lamberti’s comment, 2 months ago

hi Rosina ~ none that I could see ~ they were healthy and lovely to my eye…thanks for dropping in ~ appreciate your visit

Julie Marks, 2 months ago

Linda this is extraordinary, the graphic and the profound message of the children’s classic, the giving tree. It is one of the most poignant books written for children and adults. As you know I photograph trees and see many images within them that feel like a spiritual home. It is so cruel that other people do not have the respect for these beautiful gifts from nature that enhance our environment and feed our souls. It is another tragic loss from those who are so insensitive and cruel to living things that they don’t even look to see what they are destroying which as become a global tragedy given the destruction of our environment. Your beautiful work is a gift to us all and this piece is a profound message that I hope people will take seriously until it is too late.
Outstanding work Linda!!

LindaR in reply to Julie Marks’s comment, 2 months ago

hi Julie ~ thank you so much for your heartfelt response ~ my way of feeling is growing more and more to the highlight nature’s gifts and in doing so will open other’s eyes to appreciation and gratitude ~ which a natural result may be to treasure all more ~ thanks for your visit and inspiration xx

Wendy Slee KMA, 2 months ago

a powerful image that touches my heart…..

LindaR in reply to Wendy Slee KMA’s comment, 2 months ago

thank you Wendy ~ it has touched mine too :)

GINGER BARRITT, about 1 month ago

You just have the most wonderful eye.