Looking for Inspiration For Grit, Tenacity and Survival to Help You Ring in THIS New Year?

©Pamela Hartle
Little did I know at the time that this tree would never be the same. 

The Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach, California has and always will be a symbol of grit and tenacity, firmly entrenched in its curious base which is surprisingly impenetrable granite. Not only is this Monterey Cypress native to only one other place in the world, but this one has maintained its rocky rooting for about 250 years.

It's been dubbed the most photographed tree in the world" but there will never again be a shot of it in later years that looks like this. 

I took this photo January 2, 2013 at sunset to capture it at its best. The best way to do that was to partner with Mother Nature to show the sun enhanced fluctuating wave pattern of Carmel Bay and this unique trees rugged base to portray why it’s earned its name and reputation. Especially after the pandemic that touched all our lives, many of us are still reeling and are feeling the same as this precarious, rudely exposed and alone tree.  The tree however has continued to thrive. Curiously- unbeknownst to me at the time, this photo would document the tree at it's best in this decade of this century.

Only a few years later, The Pineapple Express suddenly battered the area, and tore off a large limb, taking about 1/3 of the tree along with it. It’s almost as if Mother Nature wants to prove her power and perseverance to man. A lot of people were holding their breath but an arborist inspected it afterwards and declared the iconic tree, “healthy and it remains securely on its rocky perch," local news reported.

While the tree is subject to constant winds and weather, newer photos will reveal its much smaller size and the damage it sustained. Like other dedicated nature photographers, we are documenting our environment and also learning and sharing about how best we can sustain it for the future along with those who will inherit both our accomplishments and our mistakes.

Hopefully, 2023 will be the year you find a way to get out more, explore more, and find more appreciation and fulfillment filling your senses with what nature provides, even if your own backyard is as far as you are able to travel.

Happy New Year!                                                                                            

©Pamela Hartle

Comments

Anonymous said…
I loved this article and thought the picture calories the fruitiness of that unyielding cypress!
March 8, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Pam said…
Thank you. "Unyielding" is the perfect word for it.
So happy to hear from you and that you are enjoying the blog.
March 9, 2023 at 10:13 PM
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