Princess Bride pines and one very elusive moon

schmoo

The bristlecone pine trees are endlessly fascinating. From sun to moon for centuries, they've survived the harshest climates and weathered more storms than we humans could ever imagine.





They're either "mostly dead" or "all dead", but that makes them more beautiful. Or ironic, depending on how you look at it.

For those not familiar with these trees, ancient bristlecone pines really are ancient. Some of the ones we passed have been dead for thousands of years, and the oldest one still alive is 4,800 years old – the oldest known living organism on Earth. As the harsh climate takes its toll, sometimes most of the tree will die back, hanging on to life with a single strip of bark and a few leaves. The heartwood that remains is beautifully twisted and striped like taffy.

It's really tough to photograph these trees. Something about the presence of these ancient souls takes your breath away. Or it's the altitude.

jpc

#2 is sensational. Thanks for the trivia. I had no idea anything lived for 4,800 years!!

Andy

beautiful, Schmoo, just beautiful.

Eia

2 is timeless and classic. The b/w really shows the tree's character. But - gotta love the first one! The placement of the moon is a gem!

Bryans12v

Was this last night? I wathced the moon come up over here on the east coast and paused to take it all in. It was really humid and it came over the horizon almost red.

These are spectacular. The first is great. The prespective makes the moon almost seem weightless for me, very cool comp!

Is the second IR? Killer shot regardless!

kdog

Cracking shots, Schmoo. That was brilliant to catch the moonrise in your shot. I can't believe I haven't made it out to the Bristlecones yet.

dlplumer

Especially love the B & W

bryanj87

These are both fantastic. The first shot looks as if the tree is holding the moon in its branches. The b/w with starburst, wow! The tree almost looks chrome.

eoren1

Awesome shots Schmoo and, like others have said, perfect placement/composition

schmoo

Thanks, all! Such a different reaction than I have myself. I am supremely dissatisfied with both pics and almost didn't post them, but both have a lot of personal interest. The moon in #1 rose so fast that even after waiting on that hilltop for 1.5 hours I was caught unprepared. The second was halfway through a grueling hike and I was so hot and uncomfortable I just put the camera on the ground, snapped a few frames and got lucky.

Hey Joel you definitely should head out that way when you can. I know you're an avid traveller and no stranger to spending time out of doors. We were able to take the Mini up (and even beyond) Patriarch Grove, but it's much easier in an SUV.

coscorrosa

I really like the light in both of these shots. I might clone out the little bits of tree on the bottom of the first. It would have been great to be able to get a POV that would have had the moon a bit higher up, but I totally hear you on it moving fast! Love the perspective on the second shot, good detail and really clean (no flare and other grime for straight into the sun shot).

DaddyO

Nice works Schmoo The moon is very elusive to capture well and you've done a nice shot with it. Cool starburst impactfully accentuating the lines of the ancient bristlecone. Looks excellent in BW as you have done it up

bhundt

I have always loved dead trees. (I like the live ones also) Both shots are beautiful!