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]


All content © 2010 Pete McGregor
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6 comments:

Zhoen said...

And the bugs and little organisms call it home.

8 November 2010 at 03:06
Relatively Retiring said...

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?

8 November 2010 at 21:45
beadbabe49 said...

lovely...again!

9 November 2010 at 05:09
pohanginapete said...

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 :^)

9 November 2010 at 09:52
leonie said...

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.

10 November 2010 at 03:48
pohanginapete said...

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

10 November 2010 at 08:42

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