Trees of Change

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 12, 2009232 views8 comments

Here is an image that I shot this past summer on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Like much of the West our park is being devastated by the mountain pine beetle, yet even in death there is beauty.

Canon 5D, 200mm

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on December 12, 2009 at 6:41 PM

Very creative Erik! The patterns and contrast in colors wiht the fog and shadows is both unique and appealing. My only suggestion is it could benefit from slightly more web sharpening. I hope this helps. Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on December 12, 2009 at 8:53 PM

Interesting shot Erik, good eye for this one. I like the fg shadows against the various layers of color in the bg. The fog adds a nice element as well.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 12, 2009 at 9:56 PM

I've seen this driving I-70, Erik. Breaks my heart. I've heard that the winters aren't getting cold enough to kill off most of the beetles. Don't know if this is true or not. This looks like >50% kill.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on December 13, 2009 at 3:41 AM

Beautiful contrasting colors Erik. Fog is a great element here. Nice work.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 13, 2009 at 6:45 AM

Tony, i need no convincing--the lower mortaility rate due to warmer winters is almost certainly the biggest single cause of this devestating event. IMO, the greatest ecologic disaster of our time, and the timing couldnt be worse with the continued well-above average fire seasons as well.
This is a very effective photo, well composed with good light. I recommend posting one in the Enviro Gallery if you have more to post--it will get a lot more views there!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Huski on December 13, 2009 at 11:25 AM

In thumbnail size I thought this was a fall colors image. No fall color but a good capture of the blight of the beetle.

Registered on August 17, 2008, 61 Posts, 340 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 13, 2009 at 7:54 PM

Eric,

Nice layers going from the silhouette to the forest beyond and including the little band of fog. Can't say it's a great story, but certainly a telling one about the problems of the forest; this really shows the sad truth.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on December 13, 2009 at 11:01 PM

Erik,
Really great shot here! I love the silhouetted trees in the fg. Seems like the trees in the fg are watching over the rest of the forest! I figured there would be more comments on this one, I find it very interesting!

Wayne

Registered on December 11, 2006, 303 Posts, 924 Comments