Witness to the footsteps of humanity.

Witness, Bristlecone Pine ©Billy Sauerland

“Witness” ©Billy Sauerland, Bristlecone Pine, Schulman Grove in the Inyo National Forest, White Mountains, Southeast California.

Bristlecone pines grow in isolated groves just below the tree line, between 5,600 and 11,200 ft (1,700 and 3,400 m) elevation on dolomitic soils. The trees grow in soils that are shallow lithosols, usually derived from dolomite and sometimes limestone, and occasionally sandstone or quartzite soils. Dolomitic soils are alkaline, high in calcium and magnesium, and low in phosphorus. Those factors tend to exclude other plant species, allowing bristlecones to thrive. Because of cold temperatures, dry soils, high winds, and short growing seasons, the trees grow very slowly. Even the tree's needles, which grow in bunches of five, can remain on the tree for forty years, which gives the tree's terminal branches the unique appearance of a long bottle brush.

The slow growth, and ability to withstand the elements, have led these trees to be around long enough to bare-witness to the progression of humanity's existence in what is now known as the western United States. The experience of one tree goes from watching the footsteps of the first people, the rise of civilization, and the expansion of trade routes reaching as far south as the Andes of South America for thousands of years before colonization. Then through the systematic extermination and genocide of the indigenous people of North America at the hands of the European Colonizers. Then the exploitation and extraction of minerals from the soils, the damning and diversion of the rivers. The testing and development of nuclear weapons and the rise and the expansion of human cancer known as cities, particularly the city of Las Vegas and the city of Angels Lost. Where the residents of these cities use on average 400+ gallons per day, for comparison the average tree in the Schulman grove uses 100 gallons or less per year. To witness the evolution of not only the environment but that of humanity as well as the tail these trees have to share.

I can only hope that the story these trees will share after another 5000 years, is a story of redemption and kindness. Not only for kindness being shown to each other but towards the natural world as well. And that we have to the best of our ability restored all that we have molested and destroyed.

13 days 12...11...10...9... to the Re-Boot!

13 days until it starts, until I begin again to capture “Where I Go, What I See” everyday. Stay tuned for more information on what in the world that actually means.

Cottonwood, Little Sahara State Park, Waynoka, OK

Revisit, Re-edit. Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park. I spent the day with my mom and niece out on a boat in the fjords. Watching for whales, sea lions & birds, the later made up the majority. However the landscape took the prize, it never let you down with its beauty and immensity.

I was revisiting images from that trip, this image particularly I like. But I do want to see it both in color and black and white. I think it will work in both versions.

This version shows the surreal aqua blue, lush greens and grey black stone that divides the scene. The bright coolness of the colors give a bright freshness to the air. While the clouds in the distance give a hint of mystery, making you wonder what is still to come.

During this trip into the fjords I was constantly reminded of a quote by Muir, “One learns that the world, though made, is yet being made; that this is still the morning of creation…”

The B&W version gives a bit of hardness that was not there in the color version. Relying solely on the textures of the foliage and the patterns in the water to convey the story of the scene. However this version, because of the lack of color, is mainly divided vertically between light and dark. Where the color version is divided both vertically and horizontally via the transition from various greens to grey and black to aqua blue.

With all of this being said I still like both versions. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

New Site, new vigor!

This trail leads to the viewing area and the toe of Exit Glacier. The marker in the image denotes the location of the glacier in 1951, illustrating how far Exit Glacier has receded since then.

Growing, and excited for things to come. I look forward to creating and sharing future images, stories and adventures with you on my new site. I am maintaining my previous blog for the time being. The link to it is just above in the sidebar, it will remain there until further notice.

Happy trails, and here we go, weeeeeee.....