I think the willow tree is one of the most beautiful trees in all of creation. Its weeping branches fall gently to the ground, shading sunlight from the inner canopy. Shadows dance in the leaves when the wind blows softly but the willow appears firm and strong in a gale. The look of this regal tree can seem ancient. They are mentioned in the Bible and Shakespeare wrote of them. Often they appear in mystical tales. They are mentioned by J.K. Rowling in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Lloyd Alexander in The Castle of Llyr, and Old Man Willow appears in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. In Disney’s Pocahontas the willow appears as the symbol of wisdom. I remember as a child darting beneath the branches playing hide and seek. Next time you see one, take a step back and imagine this sturdy mass of flowing grace looking out over creation for decades to come.
Early Morning Willow
Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-30mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 38mm f/6.3 ISO 100 5 image HDR