Palm tree trimmer

Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 25 April 2008 in People & Portraits and Portfolio.

Saudi Arabia - Trusting to cable and rope, this tree cutter from Bangladesh climbs up a palm tree in his bare feet to cut off branches. A friend touched his feet and they are as tough as leather.

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Comments (29)

Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada

Just looking at that hurts my feet. Ouch.

25 Apr 2008 12:39am

saeed from ahwaz, Iran

niceshot,as same...

25 Apr 2008 12:50am

Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life from Provo, Utah, United States

Amazing shot, Michael. Isn't it amazing how people all over the world do things we would not dare do and they do it so effortlessly? Including you. Your photography is wonderful.

25 Apr 2008 12:56am

@Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life: That's such a kind and generous comment. Thank you.

Rags from Plano, United States

There he is! The culprit!

25 Apr 2008 1:04am

Mandy from Johannesburg, South Africa

Great shot Michael - you've captured him perfectly, he's so intent on his job and climbs so effortlessly.....I can believe that his feet are like leather, especially considering the hard exterior of that pine tree. Great shot!!

25 Apr 2008 1:27am

@Mandy: Thank you, Mandy. That's a great comment.

Eleftheria, 9 years old, from Athens, Greece

Interesting shot!

25 Apr 2008 1:38am

@Eleftheria, 9 years old,: Thank you, E9. I appreciate that.

ESTEVE from MAO, Spain

MOLT XULA
TRABAJO DE RIESGO

25 Apr 2008 3:10am

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

My feet would be bleeding. This is amazing.

25 Apr 2008 3:32am

Alun Lambert from Cheshire, United Kingdom

Great shot

25 Apr 2008 3:34am

@Alun Lambert: Thank you, Alun.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Fantastic capture Micheal..incredible photo as always :)

25 Apr 2008 3:45am

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

Rhys from Darlington, United Kingdom

Great culture shot. Rather him than me.

25 Apr 2008 3:54am

@Rhys: A agree. that's tough work. thank you, Rhys.

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

Just goes to show there’s always a job to be done if you go looking! He looks well-practiced at this plus the proof of his feet. Excellent documentary shot.

25 Apr 2008 4:06am

@Ronnie 2¢: Thank you, Ronnie. I appreciate your remark.

Marie from Fresnes, France

une image inhabituelle, bien vue !

25 Apr 2008 4:40am

@Marie: Merci, Marie.

Betty from New Jersey, United States

Wonderful shot, Michael!

25 Apr 2008 5:01am

@Betty: Many thanks, Betty.

MJ from Delaware, United States

great capture....

25 Apr 2008 6:44am

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Oh goodness, I didn't realise that the palm trees were so tall!
An amazing capture Michael.

25 Apr 2008 6:49am

Observing from Chester, United Kingdom

How hard it must be to climb bare foot up the tree. You've got the action very well.

25 Apr 2008 6:59am

@Observing: Thanks so much, O.

givethemhell from Germany

That sounds like a great job, "palm tree trimmer", but probably he gets paid only a few pennies, if anything at all ...

25 Apr 2008 7:36am

@givethemhell: Yes, we are really only talking about $100 a month. thank you, Eva.

pLusOne from Cheonan, South Korea

he looks exhausted...
how many times he has to climb up the trees to get paid to live with..

25 Apr 2008 9:18am

@pLusOne: It is hard work for very little money. thank you, P1.

Steven from Chicagoland, United States

A great composition with great lighting and color. It was the first thing that came to mind when I saw his feet before reading the text was how hard his feet must be. It has to be exhausting work.

25 Apr 2008 9:25am

@Steven: Very exhausting. thank you, Steven.

Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States

Incredible shot of a more than incredible occupation!
My feet hurt just thinking about it.

25 Apr 2008 10:47am

dpm from Maalé, Maldives

wonderful composition and perspective
these guys from Bangladesh work very hard to support their family

25 Apr 2008 1:54pm

Oswegan from Lake Oswego, United States

Cool image, it looks like a rather dangerous job.

25 Apr 2008 4:57pm

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

This job needs real dedication (or urgent need for money) - I wouldn't touch this rough stem with my feet! But now it's clear that these cuttings are for aesthetic reasons, there's no danger of heavy fruits falling from a date palm (unlike with cocos palms :-)

25 Apr 2008 5:26pm