Another one

Shooting bark, if nothing else, has taught me more about identifying different types of trees than any botany course I took in college ever did. Not sure what good it will do me....

Tall Stewartia (Stewartia monadelpha), Washington Park Arboretum

D2Xs, 105 macro

Another fantastic detail shot, Mark. I don't remember if I mentioned (if I didn't, I meant to) it on your previous bark photos, but these just beg to be printed on some very high quality paper. I feel like i want to reach out and feel the different textures here.

I don't know about you, but I feel like the whole photography process is more enjoyable when I know more about the subjects I'm shooting. Whether its plant and tree identification, geology- or whatever; I always am more satisfied knowing exactly what something is and why its there.

I'm with Aaron on this one. A nice big high quality series on a wall would look awesome. Love the earth tones

I like these also. Good eye for seeing them. :)

The series of these close-ups that you've posted have all been great, Mark. I agree that they would make awesome big prints to hang, but note that they would also work very well as detail photos in a book or magazine at anything from postage stamp size on up. You've got an excellent eye for isolating these compositions, and the images are certainly not lacking in technical quality either.

You've got SUCH a good eye for these bark patterns, Mark! This is another beauty. And I agree: these should be in a well publicized gallery show or exhibit, maybe even at the Arboretum. These just plead to be seen and admired by a larger audience.