Monday, November 22, 2010

MY WORLD ~ Feet and Faces of Sacred Canyon


At the entrance of Sacred Canyon in the Flinders Ranges of
South Australia, sentinels of great age have grown faces to
protect this important dryland waterhole. The wonderful Roz
gives scale to the enormous feet of this Eucalyptus camaldulensis
with its roots dug deep into the earth to a depth of 60' and more.


Look up and a face looks toward the canyon . . .


you feel like checking your back when you have passed them


Sometimes there is just one, sometimes a group occupying
a limb of a tree.


Another tree with its feet gripping the stony earth.


Another face, old and wrinkled like a fearful soldier of Mordor.


Feet of great age need cooling . . . the common name of this
Eucalyptus is river red gum, because it grows in and along
watercourses and has the most beautiful red, termite proof
timber extensively used for railway sleepers that are still
intact when being replaced by concrete ones after lasting
more than 100 years.


More shadowy faces, if I had been alone, I would have turned
back at this point. They looked threatening and protective
of this Aboriginal water hole.



All being well, next week I'll show the canyon itself. It was a
truly magical place.

All photos enlarge.

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40 comments:

  1. What a fantastic place and those are amazing! I would have been reluctant to go any further, too! Terrific photos as always, Arija! Hope you have a lovely week! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  2. That's so neat! I've never seen anything like this. Thank you for sharing a portion of your world. Have a great day!

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  3. O what marvellous exciting textures in these grand trees.

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  4. I just love those ancient trees and the faces look like protectors. I can't imagine that sweetness like you would be a threat. Can't wait to see the canyon.

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  5. Beautiful compositions with a very attractive language. I love it.

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  6. I have seen such enormous trees in Indonesia, though these are different and have huge feet firmly planted in the earth. Thanks for sharing.Your photos are impressive!

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  7. Magical indeed--that is one awesome spirit tree. Thanks Arija!

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  8. These natural wonders are fascinating but it is your wonderful imagination that is giving them wings. :)

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  9. Wow Arija, questo albero รจ grandioso !
    Buona giornata :)
    Myriam

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  10. I really enjoyed your story and photos. A magical mix not less so as a result of the interesting facts you pointed out about the tree.

    Did you live in Vermont once? I'm so genuinely happy that my post made you smile and brought you back to a place that was good.

    Peace,
    Gina

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  11. I have never seen nature being so uniquely artistic. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Wonderful shots of the tree. It is really huge.

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  13. Those trees are so amazing. They must be very old and very well preserved. We have an Australian garden here and have some impressive trees and plants.

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  14. Wow! I would have loved to have been there. Great photos.

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  15. what a unique looking tree. your photos are gorgeous. love the details and textures.

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  16. An absolutely fantastic post! When you are around such old trees it fills you with awe. I always feel that when I am in a sequoia forest in California. Wonderful photos!

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  17. wow, these are fascinating! yes, the faces look like Orcs.:p marvelous photos!

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  18. What an amazing tree -Australia is full of wonder - great photos.

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  19. That kind of old trees are so interresting. I can watch them forever. And, there are a sacred feeling about them.
    Beautifully captured!

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  20. I had no idea any type of eucalyptus tree grew that large. Those are incredible trees!

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  21. Amazing how old these trees are. Looks almost majestic.

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  22. What a magical place! I enjoyed your post immensely. I am looking forward to your next post.

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  23. Wow it looked like some dinosaur's feet.

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  24. So beautiful shots and great place. Have a great day!

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  25. The trees are fantastic. I've never seen any quite like that. The feet are incredible. I'll look forward to seeing the canyon.

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  26. Thanks for commenting on my blog.
    What a tall and big tree!
    I guess the face-looking lump is caused by the infection of bacteria, agrobacterium. It's plant version of tumor...
    I agree with you. I don't feel like being alone there, especially in the dark and windy (when tree squeaks).

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  27. Great shots of a massive tree, and I can't wait to see your photos of the canyon.

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  28. i do plan to visit australia again, my target was uluru next may but looking at this hem.... lets pray i'll be going, then i can visit the place you posted.

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  29. Wow ! amazing, looks like the foot of an elephant !

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  30. What wonderful shots! I can definitely see faces and big feet...

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  31. Wow, those trees are SO immense! What an amazing place that must be. Roots 60' deep? REALLY?!? It's difficult to imagine...until I see the scale of a person standing next to one of these giants.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Kat
    http://inmydreamssfk.blogspot.com/

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  32. This giant tree really looks very impressive. How small we are! :-)Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.

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  33. Oh my gosh...like ents....so much personality.....

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  34. these are extraordinary. thank you.

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  35. What a wonderful post! Great photos. I wonder how old it is. It is so fascinating. Thank you for sharing.

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  36. What a thrilling world you show! The trees are really stunning. I have never seen these anything like these before. Terrific captures.

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  37. Hello Arija, I've been reading your blog for a while now and really enjoy it.
    We visited the Sacred Canyon many years ago and have often thought about it since. It is truly a mystical place. I would sometimes pick up a small stone from different places we visited, and did so at the entrance to the Canyon. However, on the return walk I felt compelled to put the stone back exactly where it was.
    Your photographs of the eucalypts are wonderful.

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  38. I love trees and these are exquisite!

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