Lonley Tree

I always love it when I find beautiful and interesting nature photography.  This photograph by Andrew Deer fits the bill perfectly.  This photo was taken in Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, and won the Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year 2010. And I agree with its first place position.

Lone Tree
Photo by Andrew Deer
http://www.pbase.com/image/123260059

Aside from such technical aspects as composition, lighting, etc., this photoraph is ironic.  The thought of a grand tree in the middle of a very winter-y looking landscape is not something often concievable, but it is actaully a reality and works well in this photoraph.  It shows the perserverence of nature to survive, even when all odds are against it.

In school, we are taught to analyze everything.  Although I'm sure the artist probably didn't mean for his photoraph to have a hidden meaning, to me, it does.  The will of the one tree to survive in an environment where it is so cold there is very little vegetation, and to grow so tall regardless says that I should never give up - if this tree can do it, then so can I.

It would be amazing to be the only one standing.  To be the beautiful highlight to a desserted space.  To be overcoming Mother Nature's greatest challenge - to survive.