07 November 2010

Survivor [Old apple]

Another old apple tree survives as little more than a cankered stump. Half dead, riddled by beetles, bark flaking, it nevertheless hangs on, and still puts out a few flowers on a handful of thin, wiry branches. One winter it'll probably be turned into firewood, and another inspiration will pass into memory.

As I walked past, it held out this bouquet like an offering. "Here,"it said, "remember me."

 
[4 November 2010; Canon 20D, 300 mm f4 L IS, ISO 200, 1/1600 at f4]


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6 comments:

  1. Zhoen8 November 2010 at 03:06

    And the bugs and little organisms call it home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Relatively Retiring8 November 2010 at 21:45

    It also says, 'Old branches bear the sweetest fruit','The withered stump with stands the gale', and many other Senior Citizen mis-quotes!
    Old apple trees also make the best firewood, but perhaps one shouldn't mention that?

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  3. beadbabe499 November 2010 at 05:09

    lovely...again!

    ReplyDelete
  4. pohanginapete9 November 2010 at 09:52

    Zhoen, nice thought. A real community in that old tree.

    RR, apple wood is also beautiful to turn — it cuts cleanly and polishes to a lovely sheen. I'd almost forgotten (I've done no turning for years now). Potentially a much better use than firewood.

    Thanks Beadbabe :^)

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  5. leonie10 November 2010 at 03:48

    the idea that the tree is offering you a bouquet really appeals to me.

    perhaps that is indeed the offering it is giving you because you choose to notice it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. pohanginapete10 November 2010 at 08:42

    Leonie, thanks — I like that idea, and like to believe it's true.

    ReplyDelete

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