Death of a tree

During the stormy winter, this mature tree in Ravenscourt Park close to my home in west London was taken out by a freak bolt of lightning and reduced to a jagged stump and tangle of wood.

It’s a sad sight but one which provoked my curiosity. I scoured the area with my macro lens, capturing the textures and markings left by the impact and sawn debris. At close quarters, these are intriguing and almost otherworldly. I also found some beautiful, rich green lichen still clinging to its fallen host.

Even in death and destruction, nature holds beauty and food for the camera. What’s more, the lost tree is now recorded for posterity.

Click first image for full gallery experience

Tags: fallen tree, freak storm, green lichen, jagged stump, lightning strike, London, nature, photography, Ravenscourt Park, storm damage, wood textures

16 thoughts on “Death of a tree”

RobynG on March 15, 2014 at 21:15 said:

Hey Mike. Fabulous post once again with many fabulous images! I’m curious how you make your collages. Do you use a template? What program do you use? I’ve tried this in PS CS5 and it is SO very time consuming that I’ve almost given up…Any advice you have I would appreciate! Best, Robyn

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on March 15, 2014 at 21:20 said:
  
  Hi Robyn, many thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I wish I could take credit – it’s simply a gallery created in WordPress. This is set to mosaic. I’m not sure it’s universal to all themes. It does take some jiggling around to get right, and the mosaics generally require multiples of three to be balanced. Does any of that make any sense?!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - RobynG on March 16, 2014 at 01:00 said:
    
    Thanks! It makes great sense Mike. I’ll have to check out the options on my “theme” and see if I can do that! Best!
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - mikeosbornphoto on March 16, 2014 at 09:59 said:
      
      Excellent! I hope they’re available to you. Let me know how you get on.
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
iosatel on March 15, 2014 at 16:40 said:

Great set of excellent images!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on March 15, 2014 at 17:17 said:
  
  Thank you very much :)
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
mjculverphotography on March 15, 2014 at 12:02 said:

How sad Mike. The death of a poor tree. Beautifully captured my friend. We’re doing fine. Just haven’t done any photography in a couple of weeks. Marks bought me a Harley Davidson Sportster for my birthday so we’ve been out and about driving together. I’m going to try and put together a blog today about that. Have a great weekend :)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on March 15, 2014 at 12:05 said:
  
  Yes, your trees are always so alive and robust. But this is nature’s way. I did enjoy exploring the wreckage on one of very wet winter’s days. A Harley? Sounds exhilarating! Enjoy catching the breeze :-) Greetings from a very mild London where Spring has sprung quite suddenly!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - mjculverphotography on March 15, 2014 at 12:42 said:
    
    Glad you’re getting some good weather. It must be a nice change after all the rain. Good to get out and do some photography. Our spring has been a bit of a roller coaster switching from very warm days where we have to use the airconditioner and then back to cooler days where the heat has to come back on. Still mostly sunshine so we’re not complaining :)
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - mikeosbornphoto on March 15, 2014 at 14:01 said:
      
      Well I guess you were spared from all the Arctic blasts of the winter in your warm part of the world. Yes, nice to have some sunshine here! Everyone feels a little bit better, I think.
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
First Night Design on March 15, 2014 at 11:06 said:

Remarkable photographs. Poor old tree. Poor old Ravenscourt Park. Ages since I’ve been there and we’re only in SW14!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on March 15, 2014 at 11:44 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Sarah. Thankfully there was just the one casualty. It must have been its time. It’s a lovely park, has served me well photographically speaking. You ought to come and reacquaint yourselves with the place!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Tassem on March 15, 2014 at 10:32 said:

What a beautiful set! I feel bad for the tree though.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on March 15, 2014 at 10:40 said:
  
  Thank you Tassem, much appreciated. Yes, me too, though it was an act of nature which usually has a good reason to do what it does.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
dianaed2013 on March 15, 2014 at 10:06 said:

Amazing – so much to see in close up – you have captured another world. Inspiring.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on March 15, 2014 at 10:21 said:
  
  Thank you Diana. Poor tree, but it did reveal other textures and shapes.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓