Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.
― Mahatma Gandhi
Earth Story. This week, we hope you will join us in sharing earth stories through your lens. As we share the natural world, we hope to share our understanding of planet Earth and the glory of her magic. Amy made me decide to celebrate Arbor Day, April 29, and in fact I think I celebrate it every day.
Let us start with an image of sky, mountains, water and trees – Earth seen from above.
The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.
― John Muir
And as we fly downwards, under the canopy, to the forest floor – we will find the tiniest creatures that need you to lie down on the ground to meet them. Their little world is filled with a special kind of magic.
It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.
― Rainer Maria Rilke
Trees bring us spring in soft showers…
― Khalil Gibran
Some trees are famous because of the way they grow, and because they have appeared in popular movies.
This old beech tree is one of my best friends. I talk to him every week and rest quietly in his shadow.
― David Brower
… and some live in them their whole lives. They eat, play, mate and raise their young.
― Henry David Thoreau
Finally, without trees the world would not exist. We are all dependent on them. Everywhere in art we find trees as well, and many of us have special ties to certain trees, or remember special trees from our childhood. So, treasure them and protect them, plant seedlings and make the forest and your garden grow!
The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.
― Pope John Paul II
Thank you for last week’s many curves from you! I must admit there were curves I had never even thought about – creative! Next week, John (Journeys with Johnbo) will host LAPC #193, and we should be thinking about what is special to us regarding birthdays or anniversaries… Be sure to visit John’s site for more!
Leya 
Ann-Christine, this is absolutely gorgeous! Your photos, quotes, and text are inspired. I’m not surprised that nature inspires you. I can always see how your eyes are drawn to nature and your spirit, as well. You’re at home there, I can see! Take care and have a good week. I’m coming out of jet-lag.😀😀😀
Thank you – happy travels!
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Beautiful photos and a lovely post. Where would we be indeed without trees and gardens.
♥ Thank you ♥
You have a special relationship with trees, Ann-Christine, and these photos are rich evidence. My favourites are those ethereal magnolias and the avenue of trees entwined, but there are so many beauties here.
Thank you, Jo – when it comes to trees…I cannot stop myself!
🤗💟
Ahh, magnificent! It’s clear that you have a special relationship with trees. Your friend is astonishing! I love the small purple magic of a mushroom, the reflection of the trees, and that amazing line of trees the most – not because it was in any film that I haven’t seen. 😀 Poignant words too, if a little sad. But no wonder there… I hope spring will cheer us up, like that hare did to me when I spotted him last week. 🙂
Thank you so much, Manja – yes…let’s see what spring can do…Yesterday snow and 8-
Ahhh!!!
Absolutely stunning!
♥ Thank you so much, Aletta!
Your earth story post is a delight Ann-Christine. I love trees and you have captured their beauty and majesty. Thank you.
I am glad you found delight in it, Jude. The theme fit me well, my mind and soul. Then I cannot stop myself…thank you for a lovely comment!
Ann-Christine, your earth photos are so beautiful this week, words doesn’t do it justice. If all those trees could talk they would tell us lots of stories 😀
Thank you, Cee – they would. Some of them talk to me…
WOW. Great great selections. I like that first one, with the mountain in the misty clouds.
Thank you, John – and I love that one too – Norway of course! The most beautiful country on this Earth (My own opinion…but shared with many!)
I had the great pleasure of driving north from Oooos-lo through Lillehammer, as far as the Geirangerfjord, then back through the Jotenheimen (sp?) mountains, visiting many stavekirke along the way. VERY beautiful.
Jotunheimen (sp). And you even learned some Scandinavian language i see! I bet it was a marvelous trip.
Each is breathtaking!
Thank you, Susan! ♥
Oh, what a wonderful collection of tree images! I love your special old beech tree friend and can see why you love him! The magnolia shot is a stunner, as is the tiny mushroom and those bare trees reflected in water. Thank you for brightening my day 🙂
Thank you for brightening mine! A lovely comment – and we are waiting for the magnolias now!
I always love your tree images, AC….and as Margaret has said, a meditative piece
♥ That was my goal – happy to share some meditation!
Very good
Oh my my, A-C. Wonderful! The lighting in the second image is stunning. There’s something about the spring forest that gets me – seems it has layers of green. Love the collection!
I am glad you enjoyed it, Frank – it was a theme well suite for me I think. Difficult to slow down there…
I feel privileged to see your photography. Thank you so much for sharing
That was a great compliment – thank you so much…♥
An awesome blog you wrote and a tribute to nature.
Thank you, glad you liked it – it was a theme made for me (;-D…even if I wasn’t the host)
Taking trees as the heart of your post has resulted in a really beautiful, meditative piece.
I am glad you found it beautiful and meditative, Margaret! It was a challenge well suited for me, so I could not stop myself…
Good!
Wow, it’s hard to pick a favorite, Leya! But I think I’d choose the purple mushroom! 💜🍄
Lisa – I believe the little one is a favourite this week! Thank you!
All glorious, A-C. Thanks for brightening my day!!
You always brighten mine!
I’m glad.
Love these images These blossoms are so majestic. Thanks Anita
So glad you liked them, Anita!
Wonderful photos Ann-Christine The little fungi would have to be my favourite 🙂 🙂
Brian, I was happy to read about your favourite – that moment was precious to me, when I found it. The story is, that Milo had just moved in, and I wanted Totti to spend some time with only me…so we walked a new forest path and discovered some new things together with the old ones. He was 10 years old, Totti, and used to my stopping for photos, so when I spotted the ray of sun shining in on a tiny lilac fungi (never seen one before, and never after that moment either…), we both stopped and I went face down on the ground poking my camera under the bushes, moss and lichen. And there it was – pure magic. Still today it is.
That is a precious story Ann-Christine. A moment that was meant to happen to create a wonderful memory 💕
It was ♥. and it did. I miss those days too…now they seem so innocent and happy.
Excellent, can you tell me another story?
Thank you – and well, I can tell you the story of how we lost it all…but I don’t want to.
I was thinking more of a story about that curious little monkey. We lose everything eventually so enjoy it while it lasts. 🤗
I guess your way of thinking is the best, but I am a pessimist, so I struggle to survive. Those monkeys were everywhere in the trees around us and the canoe. They stream jumped over the little river and over us – I almost expected one of them to fall into my lap!
Indescribably beautiful tree photos interspersed with words to make us think . . . Mahatma Gandhi as so oft uses but a few words to knock on our conscience. I so envy you your huge beech tree to hug and make you feel safe . . . oh, the Australian bush of endless gum trees becomes part of one too but atavism stemming from childhood leads to just that little greedy wish . . . well, next time please hug it for me !!!
Thank you! And yes, I will…I will whisper to him of your childhood memories too, so he can send green thoughts and vibes to his friends in your home country.
Well AC, you’ve outdone yourself this week. I could have guessed that you’d love this challenge subject as you are as close to nature as anyone I know. Your images are simply breathtaking, every one of them. Have you read the book ”The Overstory” by Richard Powers? If not, you absolutely must – trust me! Thank you for this glorious ode to Mother Earth
Thank you so much, Tina – yes, the theme was made for me, I am sure ;-D Also, thank you for the tip about ”Overstory” by Richard Powers – I will search for it and read it. And – tell you my thoughts about it.
Excellent, thanks A-C
I have already sent a request to my library!
👍 You will love it A-C. Let me know!
I will.
These are truly exquisite photos — even on such a large scale. My favorite, however, is a closer look at those magnolia blossoms. But the grandeur of this work is truly remarkable. Thanks for sharing all these images.
Thank you – so glad you liked them! Of course this theme was right up my alley (or how you say it…)
Your post for earth story theme is extraordinary. I love these tree images especially. All are beautifully captured, AC!
Thank you, Amy, for a great challenge theme!