Leaves...
Posted: Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
There is a wonderful urban myth that Orkney has no trees, that seemingly every leafed plant other than grass is scoured from the face of the islands by the wind and ends up in Norway, or possibly Finland if its a really good blow.
Yesterday while in Kirkwall i noticed how beautiful a large horse chestnut tree actually was. A million shades of green as the shafts of sunlight filter down through the many layers of perfect fat new leaves.
There is a zen saying that just because something is rare, we shouldn't value it more. This stumped me for a while, but now I appreciate it. A horse chestnut tree is hardly rare, but not seeing one in full leaf for so long made me realise how beautiful they truly are. Its like ignoring the sparrows until you truly take a long look at them and see how pretty a little brown bird can be.
Yesterday while in Kirkwall i noticed how beautiful a large horse chestnut tree actually was. A million shades of green as the shafts of sunlight filter down through the many layers of perfect fat new leaves.
There is a zen saying that just because something is rare, we shouldn't value it more. This stumped me for a while, but now I appreciate it. A horse chestnut tree is hardly rare, but not seeing one in full leaf for so long made me realise how beautiful they truly are. Its like ignoring the sparrows until you truly take a long look at them and see how pretty a little brown bird can be.
Comments
Very nice DoaD. The B&W pictures seems to show off the texture of the flower much better than the colour image does.
CVBruce from CA, USA
Nice pics, particularly second from bottom ( a goose, I assume? Clearly not a Muscovy duck, eh Soaplady?). The eyes are rather fearsome, and is probably a stranger to zen meditation.
mjc from NM,USA
Great photos...
Simon Campbell from UK
We've got a little oak here in Rolling Acres...probably from a mighty acorn! But I think rarity is relative regarding trees and Orkney...
Flying Cat from palmate wednesday
We've got a sycamore in our garden, only growing because of the large building next door. Thought I might sell tickets!
Stromness Dragon from Leafy downtown Stromness
Looks like the Fetlar palm-tree to me .. except perhaps for the flowers. Splendidly thoughtful blog, DoaD! Thank'ee.
Barney from Swithiod how's the GPS doin`?
After coming to Orkney in May 2006 for 8 months, somehow I am still here. Running the MV Valkyrie in the summer and helping on the farm in winter is now my life. 
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