The Redwood National Forest’s peaceful rapture…
fresh with an open and expansive sense of density.
Northern California, and the Redwood Forests
This photograph captures a dense stand of mature coast redwood trees, part of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove in the Redwood National Forest. I felt this photograph would accentuate the towering stature of the Redwoods, which is characteristic of their impressive height and longevity.
Redwood trunks display rich reddish-brown bark with deep furrows and fibrous textures and are typical of this species. The bark’s thickness and composition contribute to the trees’ resistance to fire amazingly. The massive trunks in the shot I took show the forest’s undergrowth, consisting of smaller trees, shrubs, and a variety of ferns, indicative of the lush natural ground cover that thrives in the moist, temperate climate of the region.
The forest floor is strewn with organic debris, referred to as detritus, that includes fallen branches, bark, and decomposing leaf litter, all playing a role in the nutrient cycling essential for the forest’s ecosystem. The large boulder is covered with moss and evidences the degree of high humidity and the relatively stable microclimate of the grove.
The top of the canopy is not visible and suggests the considerable height of these trees. Light diffuses through the density of the trees in this part of the forest, creating a serene and somewhat dim environment, and is common in old-growth forests where the thick canopy restricts sunlight.
The overall feel of this photograph is one of ancient tranquility and natural grandeur, I felt, yet captures the ancient forest’s essence.
