“For a tree to become tall it must grow tough roots among the rocks.”  ― Friedrich Nietzsche

 


 

Tough Roots #1 – Tree and Rock Study, Big Rocks Nature Preserve, Charlotte, NC – 09/2019 – iPhone XR

 

Tough Roots #2 – Tree and Rock Study, Big Rocks Nature Preserve, Charlotte, NC – 09/2019 – iPhone XR

 

Tough Roots #3 – Tree and Rock Study, Big Rocks Nature Preserve, Charlotte, NC – 09/2019 – iPhone XR

 

Tough Roots #4 – Tree and Rock Study, Big Rocks Nature Preserve, Charlotte, NC – 09/2019 – iPhone XR

 

8 Comments

  1. Love this quote and the photos. I am always amazed at the ways trees find ways of surviving in seemingly inhospitable places. Makes me feel like a real wimp.

  2. Beautiful set of images Earl. Trees always make great photography subjects, as well as contemplation subjects. Lately, I have been fascinated with some of the new research being done which is showing that trees and plants are not single entities but rather, entities that exist as communities where plants help each other out (and possibly communicate in some fashion) through their root systems. It will be interesting to see how far this research will go and what it will reveal.
    I just finished watching a short series on Netflix called “Green Frontier” which is a supernatural, murder mystery set in the Amazonian rain forest. It is slow to get started (though I was immediately hooked) but when it introduces the element of the indigenous connection to the jungle, I became enthralled and fascinated. Many of the beliefs about plants and trees espoused on the show relate to the discoveries being made by science.
    Thanks for sharing these photos Earl. A very timely gift for me :)

    • Thank, Cedric. I’ve known of some theory of trees perhaps having some basic “communications” but it would be amazing if current research is indicating they actually function on some level as communities. The older I get the more I realize how little we know and that what we think we know we really often don’t understand. Us the human is such a very small part of the whole. If they’re smart, these plant communities should be discussing how to get rid of us…not that we need much help in doing that job ourselves. :-)
      The Netflix “Green Frontier” series sounds like it would be right in my alley of interest…I will check it out! Take care and as always thanks for your visit.

  3. Yep, makes me feel wimpy, also. I really like how you worked this over to create a wonderful series of images. I must admit the last one caused me longest gaze and sigh. I am coming to accept we know so little about our world but arrogantly think we do. Cedric’s little series has my interest, also.

    • Glad you liked these, Monte. Sometimes I’ll find a “series” of photos like this while processing a batch of photos I’ve already taken but for some reason, these formed in my mine at the camera stage and I knew exactly of what and how I wanted them to be. It doesn’t happen as often as I’d like. 💭 I’d replied to Cedric before I read your comment but it seems we strongly agree on how little we know and it’s much less then we think we do. Thanks for your visit and comment. Have a good day!

  4. Fine images, Earl, powerful even without the quote. For many sensible persons trees are much more than wood providers, and your combination of those strong roots with rocks symbolizes a permanence that easily exceeds our human lifespan

    • Thank you, Markus. I agree there is something special about trees and they’re so critical for the future health of this planet. I hope you are doing well and that you have a wonderful upcoming week! :-)