I keep reading – from biologists, nature lovers, (and my wife) that trees communicate with us all the time, not in words but in their own language, the very distinctive and beautiful way they grow and evolve and age. I love this old birch tree in the deep woods, it called out to me to be photographed, to be captured, and I thought the character in this tree was poignant and powerful. The tree was connecting with me in some way, I could feel it.

I had the sense of companionship, of being understood, of having a friend and compatriot. I am paying more attention to this idea, to see if I feel it more clearly or more deeply. This tree has grace, it calms me just to look at it.