Tag Archives: nature

Twist and Break the Trunk

This one is quick.  A tree has broken and the trunk – not a very thick one – had not only broken but twisted as it fell.  I was fascinated by the shape it took and the way in which the fibers of the wood had distorted as it fell over.  It showed the inner structure of the tree in a vulnerable way which is obscured when the tree is intact.

Spider Web Engineering

This spider web was attached to one of the towers at Hyakuri.  The web thread was quite a heavy gauge compared to what I normally see and I was fascinated by the way it was attached to the wood.  Multiple strands were attached in a ring forming a cone of thread that merged in to the mainline.  It was quite a feat of engineering.

What a Tree!

Rain forest conditions produce plants that are uniquely able to exploit the environment.  This tree was like something out of a fantasy movie.  I think it was one plant but, to be honest, there would be no obvious way to tell where one ended and another started if it proved to be two or more.  The branches and roots were spread everywhere.  It really did seem like something that should come alive at some point and just envelope the unwary traveler.  It was dark and creepy underneath its canopy.  I found myself fascinated with it and looking at it from every different direction.  The sad part was that it was really hard to find a shot that really conveyed the feeling you had when there.

Fungi to be With

wpid12337-AU0E3460.jpgWhile wandering through the woods at Armstrong Redwoods SNR, I saw the effect of the permanently damp climate. Fungi were everywhere. I wasn’t traveling with a tripod or a macro lens. The lens was less of an issue but getting shots in the darkness of the woods was a touch problematic. However, the fungi looked cool so it was worth a go.

wpid12329-AU0E3431.jpgI know nothing about them so have no idea what I was taking photos of. They could be common or rare. They may be toxic or tasty. None of this is known to me. However, they were interesting to look at and rather cool. That’s all that mattered to me!

Armstrong Redwoods

wpid12333-AU0E3444.jpgMuir Woods in Marin County is a place we have visited on a few occasions. While staying in Healdsburg, we decided to try somewhere that is supposed to be quite similar. This was Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. It was a bit off the beaten path but not terribly difficult to get to (unless you trust your GPS that decides the main road is far too simple and a single width road is somehow more appropriate).

wpid12327-AU0E3429.jpgI would say it surpasses Muir Woods. Not only is it a lovely area with some impressive woodlands but it felt like it was deserted. It wasn’t, of course, although the time we were there is probably not the busiest. However, everyone seemed to get lost in the place and you felt surprised when you met someone. Compare this to Muir Woods where the place seems to always be crowded with no feeling of tranquility.

wpid12335-AU0E3448.jpgI guess the climate for growing these trees is cool and damp since any of these woods seems to be that way. Armstrong was no different. Additionally, we were there in the early stages of winter so the sun wasn’t getting too high in the sky and the flow of the valley felt very shaded. Of course, you dress warmer for a place like this so, if well prepared, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the trees without feeling uncomfortable (although you do tend to be a bit damp by the end).

wpid12345-AU0E3511-Edit.jpgI do wonder whether the park is very busy at some times of year. I suspect we shall find out when we next go back. It was later in the day when we left with darkness not too far away so our experience may not prepare us for next time. However, there will be a next time!