Cornell University Engineering Quad Oak Tree

I've been looking at this incredible oak tree on the Engineering Quad at Cornell University for a long time.  The other day I noticed that around noon time the southern Sunlight would shine through two building to create great contrast of lighting on the leafless branches.

I like the effect of the wide angle lens that created a interesting effect with the upper branches.

One final touch with HDR processing created a Tim Burton type of creation.  I feel like the branches are getting ready to reach down and grab me.

The frosty fog this morning was incredible.  I had to go out and take a few photos.  I chased the fog all over, and it was never in the places that I wanted it to be.  This was the best of the fog/tree photos from this morning.  This is on Cemetery Lane near McLean, NY.

Frosty Trees

It was a frosty morning, and I chased the fog around.  I ended up deciding to use one of the photos that didn't have fog.  I liked the ice on the trees, and the frost on the green fields.  I thought the barn added just enough color.  This photo was taken on Elm Street extension in Groton between Salt Road and Chaplain Road.

Found on the side of the road.

When I'm in a car, I'm always looking for interesting  places to photograph.  Usually I see them when I cannot stop.  This particular site I found last week, and I liked it so much I went back for the mornings first light.  I think the return was worth it.

Tree near the creek

Traditions can be a lot of fun.  The Saturday after Thanksgiving we usually have another Thanksgiving dinner with my wife's side of the family.  If the weather is nice we walk to the creek where my wife and her friends spent a lot of time as children.  Along the hike is this little stream before the creek.  This year it was very warm, and beautiful.

Old Shade Maple

A friend reminded me that I haven't posted any trees in a while.  I apologize.  It's been a very busy fall with lots of photography projects (paid).  They help me to buy more equipment. :-)

This is an interesting tree.  I first saw it about 30 years ago when I went camping at Peg's pond.  It has provided shade for many years.  A few years ago, a section of this tree fell on part of the cabin on the left side of the photo.  This past year it came down in two more pieces.  We will miss this tree dearly.

Steve

Unique Opportunity

Photo by Steve Gallow ©2011

While hiking through the woods I came upon 2 pines that had fallen over in a storm.  I found the crossing of the branches very interesting for a new perspective.

The Farmers Nightmare.

This tree is on 222 between Groton and Cortland NY.  It's one of my favorite trees in the area.  I know the farmer that rents this field to grow organic hay.  He doesn't own the field, and would like to cut it down.  It's difficult to mow the hay around it, and he loses some of the hay.  He said his wife won't let him cut it down.  I hope she continues to win this argument.

I only have about 30 minutes to photograph this tree today.  I was waiting for a sucker hole to shine some sun down on just thie tree.  It didn't happen.  Perhaps next time.

Pulling Away

 

This tree reminded me of one of Ben's paintings or drawings.  The tree seems to have motion, and is pulling away from the building.  

I'm having a harder time finding trees that I want to photograph in the middle of summer.  In the winter there are no leaves, so I find the branches very interesting.  In the spring trees change so rapidly. They bud.  They bloom, and the leaves begin to grow.  In the middle of the summer, it's harder to see anything but leaves.  I suspect that in the fall, as the leaves change, my interest will one again increase. 

The Pond

 

This photo was taken at Pickle Platter Pond in Summerhill, New York.  It's one of my favorite places to go, and my children have adopted that love.  The large tree in the middle was a tree that I worked on a tree fort in my youth.  At that time, the pond didn't exist.  My Aunt and Uncle own this pond, and their hospitality flows to friends, neighbors, and family that make this place special. 

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Portland, Maine

We took a day to go to Portland Maine, and I walked around taking photos of trees in the City. Trees enhance the beauty of a city, and Portland, Maine is a beautiful city.  I highly recommend it if you are in the area.  The people are very friendly, and the food is fantastic.

I don't think this tree was planned, but I like how it has fit into the edge of this building, and grows out over the walkway. The green against the red of the building is a nice contrast of colors.

This is the Unitarian Church in Portland, Maine. It's a beautiful church, and has gardens that are open on both sides. It's a great quiet place in the middle of the city. I think it's a great gift that the church gives to the community.

I don't remember where this tree was located, but I enjoyed the spring time blossoms. I especially liked the blossoms all over the sidewalk.

The Portland Museum of Art has an incredible beach tree. This is a tree that you have to see to appreciate. It's huge, and tough to capture in a single photo.

All in all it was a great day.

Urban Trees

I was walking through Ithaca on Friday night looking at the trees. I've seen examples of trimming the trees around the electric wires in many areas. It's always looked strange to me. I thought the sign was particularly fitting in this photo.

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Spring has Sprung.

 

We're moving from one extreme to another. The monochromatic winter is leaving us, and everything is not bursting out from it's winter slumber. This is a Magnolia Tree near the Court House in Ithaca, NY.

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Cornell Plantations

Cornell University has some of the greatest gardens. Judy and I had some free time on Sunday, so we took a hike to view all of the blossoming bushes, and trees. This one reminded me of a bonsai tree.


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Curly Branches

As we left the Home Depot in Ithaca, I spotted this tree on the edge of the parking lot. I was attracted to the curly branches. Very few of the branches are straight. The leaves are just beginning to bud, so there is a slight haze of green around the dark green curly branches.

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Life for others

I find trees that are full of insects and woodpecker holes to be very interesting. I like the colors of the wood in this one.  The contrast between the newly exposed wood compared to the outside exposed layer are very interesting.

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Spooky Kind of Day

I'm a little behind on my tree photos, so I figured I'd post another one this week.  I also think that we are about a week away from colors bursting from just about everywhere, so I'd take advantage of the dreary day take a spooky photo.  I purposely overexposed this photo to reduce the number of smaller branches to give the tree a simpler look

I've had my eye on this tree for some time.  I like the curve in it's midsection.

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Oak Tree on Lib Slope at Cornell Unvversity

This is one of the trees that most people photograph on the Cornell Campus. In the background is McGraw tower.

Lib slope is a popular place for students to slide down hill, and enjoy slope day at the end of the Spring semester.

Maple Sap for Maple Syrup

From Sugar Maples

It's starting to warm up, and when it warms up the sap begins to flow in sugar maple. Sugar maple trees have holes drilled into them, and taps are put in the holes. Buckets are hung from the tree, and the taps release the sap into the buckets. The buckets are collected, and then the sap is boiled down to make maple syrup. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.

Cornell Plantations Oak Tree

I've asked various people what about their favorite trees. David Fontanella told me about this oak tree in the Cornell Plantations. I've run by this tree several times, but I had never seen it. It's tucked back in a little way from the road, and is a great spot for quiet place to sit. Thank you Dave for letting me know about it. Perhaps next time I can have Dave stand near it for scale. It's huge!

Standing at Attention

This time of year is muddy, monochrome, and a time of looking forward to spring. I did spot a robin for the first time this year. Soon there will be color.

Today's photo was taken at Monkey Run.

Arch Tree

When I first started looking for trees, I tended to look for trees that were not near other trees. Now, I've been noticing trees that are a little more distorted when they grown near other trees or obstacles. They can take on almost human like characteristics like this one.  This tree looks like a yoga stance, or a dancer arching his/her back and twisting.  Ben Marlan's painting of trees convey a similar feel, and some of these types of trees remind of his incredible work.

Holy Tree

I missed a Tree last week because the weather was blah. This week it began snowing again. I actually prefer photographing in the snow than I do photographing on a day where the skies are gray. Snow adds a new filter or texture to the air that help create what I think is a more interesting photo.

Family Tree

 

As part of this project I've been talking to people about trees. This past weekend the Birdsalls had a sledding party at their families farm house. There are two beautiful maple trees in the front yard that stand out. There used to be four trees. There is some concern that they are getting old, and may fall on the house. The little saplings that were planted all those years ago seemed so far from the house, but as they grew it became clear that they were planted too close. The family has planted a third tree to replace one of the two that are no longer there. They were sure to plant it further from the house.

For me the course bark of these trees make them very interesting.

What/Where are your favorite trees?

A rare sunny day in February.

I'm not sure what type of tree this is, but I like it's form. It stands alone on a dirt road, not to far from 34b in Lansing. I'll return in the summer to look at it's leaves to figure out what type of tree it is.

Rain - Ice - Wet Snow

Yesterday we went to Rochester, NY in the morning.  Their was no snow on the road, and traveling was clear.  During the day it began to rain, and then it became colder and the rain started freezing to the trees.  Then it began to snow.  These conditions are wonderful for a photographer.  Large clumps of snow build up on all the trees.   The only thing that can make it more perfect is a sunny day the next day.  We didn't have that, so once again my skies are gray in my photo of the week.

The Giving Tree

 

There's an old saying about "Seeing the Forest Through the Trees". For a photographer, I think it's also hard to "See the Trees in the Forest". So far the trees that catch my eye tend to be by themselves. When they are by themselves their not in as much competition with other trees, so they can form a nice uniform rounded look. When they are in the forest they seem to grow quickly toward the canopy so that they can receive the sunlight that they need. I photographed a few trees today as I snowshoed with Tank, our black lab. I liked this one the best.

Willow Glen Cemetery, Freeville NY

Lynne Vincent suggested this tree for my blog. I had never been there before. This tree sits on a little hill. I think that trees bring people peace, so they like to have them in a cemetery. (It was very cold when I took this photo.)

Do you have a favorite tree that I might photograph?

Small Willow at Stewart Park

I've seen some incredible photos of some of the larger Willows at Stewart Park in Ithaca. I decided to try one of the smaller trees. I'd like to go back when the lighting is better. We had fairly solid cloud cover all weekend.

Pooh Bear Tree

The tree in the distance is one of my favorites. At lunch time we'll sometimes run by this tree. It always seems so peaceful.

Today it was snowing quite heavily when I photographed it. The snow acted as a filter.

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