Inside a 600-year-old linden tree

Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 19 March 2008 in Plants & Nature and Portfolio.

Inside the hollow tree shown yesterday, I found it all dry, weathered and fantastically textured. There was a bulbous growth (seen here) illuminated by light streaming in from a knot hole above. Tomorrow we'll look out that hole to see what there is.

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Comments (31)

e. from New York, NY, United States

Wow, incredible! The textures are wonderful.

19 Mar 2008 12:44am

@e.: Thank you so much, e.

GJC from Kyoto, Japan

Amazing. Who would think you could see inside a tree. I'm looking forward to more. Nice light.

19 Mar 2008 4:31am

@GJC: Thank you, GJC. I appreciate that.

givethemhell from Germany

This looks like a gnome's head out of a fairy tale.

19 Mar 2008 4:33am

@givethemhell: Very much so. thank you, Eva.

Ron from Saint Louis, United States

There's no questioning that this linden is a living entity. Just like humans it grows knots and bumps and nodules as it ages, and its skin [in this case, bark] will never be as smooth and supple as it was in its youth. You've captured the textures of an aging beauty very well, Michael.

p.s. My post was my take on an anti-war statement…1,827 days since George Bush's troops invaded Iraq, and you could fill a cemetery with the dead. rll

19 Mar 2008 4:38am

@Ron: A wonderful comment, Ron. I like the comparison of the tree to an aging human. Thank you also for the explanation of your title. I don't see much news here in Slovakia so am not up-to-date on that tragic war.

Betty from New Jersey, United States

Excellent that the light was hitting the growth just right! Wonderful textures. Lookinig forward to more.

19 Mar 2008 5:07am

@Betty: Thank you so much, Betty.

martie from Okinawa, Japan

Wow - such an interesting photo! You have a great eye for noticing things.

19 Mar 2008 5:24am

@martie: Thank you, Martie. I appreciate that.

dpm from Malé, Maldives

inside wow that is cool, interesting shapes and texture too

19 Mar 2008 5:57am

@dpm: And dark. thank you, dpm.

MJ from Delaware, United States

Now that is fantastic.... I love the light and the textures....nicely framed

19 Mar 2008 6:43am

@MJ: Thank you so much, MJ.

vu@granby - Wolfgang from Granby, Quebec, Canada

A great find, the light and textures are outstanding!

19 Mar 2008 7:05am

@vu@granby - Wolfgang: Thank you so much, Wolfgang.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Such Life in a tree, a world of its own, I want to know more....;)

19 Mar 2008 7:07am

@Lorraine: I'm sure this tree could be studied for quite a number of years. Thanks so much, Lorraine.

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

This would definitely win the prize for a photo of something you don't see every day. Great capture!

19 Mar 2008 7:23am

@Viewfinder: That's a nice comment. Thank you so much, VF.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

Thanks for this exciting look into this tree's Wunderkammer!

19 Mar 2008 8:13am

@MadScientist: You're very welcome. I hoped you would like this. Thank you, MS.

dillonpic from United States

thats quite an old tree! the detail and casted shadows are nice.

19 Mar 2008 8:46am

@dillonpic: Many thanks for your nice remark.

Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada

That tree can keeping you shooting for a while. Every angle or piece of it looks so different.

19 Mar 2008 9:32am

@Michael Rawluk: You are right. But I find I'm always looking for new subjects. thank you, Michael

Reza from Montreal, Canada

IT's qiute an exploring ;) we'll see what happens tomorrow.

19 Mar 2008 9:48am

@Reza: Thanks for your comment, Reza.

Elisa from Massachusetts, United States

interesting shot!!! I like the light!

19 Mar 2008 10:08am

@Elisa: Thank you, Elisa.

pLusOne from Cheonan, South Korea

wow, lovely shot. I like the illimination by the light and shadow

19 Mar 2008 10:30am

@pLusOne: Thank you so much, P1.

vera from Philippines

what is this animal of the nature? just need two eyes...

19 Mar 2008 11:11am

@vera: One is enough, Vera. thank you for commenting. It is inside a tree.

Oswegan from Lake Oswego, United States

It looks as though perhaps he has swallowed a boy. A very interesting look. I am pleased by the light that you found.

19 Mar 2008 11:39am

@Oswegan: Definitely swallowed something. Many thanks, O.

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

This is such an exciting voyage of discovery you are taking us on . . do I see a little pearl inside that growth . . or is it a palid eye looking out?

19 Mar 2008 11:41am

@Ronnie 2¢: It is whatever the imagination says it is. You have keen observation, Ronnie. Many thanks.

Tracey from Baltimore, United States

I find the tree is similar to a female form. Very rounded and curvy. It has a strong feminine feel to me. Well seen and captured.

19 Mar 2008 12:40pm

@Tracey: Yes, perhaps so. I hadn't seen it that way myself so it's a new interpretation. thank you, Tracey.

Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa

Amazing! Well captured :)

19 Mar 2008 1:09pm

@Ina: Thank you so much, Ina.

standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France

Amazing capture. Great lighting and textures!

19 Mar 2008 3:52pm

@standley: Thank you so much, Standley.

Behrooz Sangani from Tehran, Iran

Strange peace of abstract art here in a nature shot! Well done, Michael!

19 Mar 2008 3:54pm

@Behrooz Sangani: An interesting interpretation. Many thanks, Behrooz.

yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece

excellent lighting and colors

19 Mar 2008 4:25pm

@yiannis krikis: Thank you, Yiannis.

lasiate from Philippines

le sein lourd de l'arbre -femme! une image mystique

19 Mar 2008 4:59pm

@lasiate: Oui. Merci, Lasiate.

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

In this tree you can see, that just because it is getting older, it doesn't mean is has stopped growing. A lesson for us humans in there.
The sunlight through the knot hole emphasises the textures beautifully Michael.

19 Mar 2008 5:14pm

@MaryB: Thank you, Mary. I appreciate that.

Rags from Plano, United States

awesome work, thanks for todays image.

19 Mar 2008 7:04pm

@Rags: And many thanks to you, Rags.

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

NICELY done, Michael! The texture and light is so great and gives this image great depth.

19 Mar 2008 8:44pm

@amy: Thank you so much, Amy.

tyan from Singapore, Singapore

WOW.I love this series,so full of suspense and i am sure coming tomorrow to see what treasures lie within:)

19 Mar 2008 9:28pm

@tyan: Thank you, Tyan.

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

Getting old is far from being a pleasure, it brings about many nodules, bulges and whatever......this tree is a proof that not only humans are affected by the passage of time. Beautiful light on that texture!

20 Mar 2008 7:43am

@Japanalia: I appreciate your insightful comment, Gabriela. thank you.

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