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Baobab Trees


Baobab Trees
Photo Information
Copyright: Kath Featherstone (feather) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 7649 W: 325 N: 11488] (40121)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-26
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D200, Nikkor 24-120mm AF-S, VR, RAW
Exposure: f/8, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Tanzanian Safaris & Zanzibar R&R
Date Submitted: 2008-04-20 1:38
Viewed: 859
Points: 72
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I mentioned the baobab trees in my two previous posts from Tarangire National Park, so I’m posting a closer view of some as they are quite unique. Before arriving at Tarangire I had in mind the ones I’ve seen in pictures from Madagascar, but these are a different variety.

The baobab tree is known as The Tree of Life because every part of it is useful. The hollow trunk can be used for shelter, the bark is used for cloth and rope, the leaves have medicinal properties and the fruit can be eaten. The trunk acts as a huge succulent and stores water which can be tapped in the dry season. The elephant makes good use of all its properties and can demolish a tree in no time. It can eat all of it and here you can see the stripped bark from an elephant’s visit.

Depending on which website you read, the baobab tree can reach from between 9m and 15m in circumference and about 25m in height. When it dies it rots from inside and then just collapses in a heap of fibres. It is leafless for 9 months of the year and although you can’t see here under the leaves, the branches more closely resemble roots, (see the Madagascar link above)giving rise to various legends.

One legend is that the baobab complained it wasn’t as tall as a palm tree so the gods made it taller. Then it wanted fruit like the fig tree, so the gods gave it fruit. Eventually the gods were tired of its demands so they turned it upside down to shut it up. ;D

This was taken on an early morning drive and we were rushing back for breakfast, so very little time to compose. I needed the ISO 500 earlier but should have reduced it as it became lighter. I wanted to post it to write about the baobab trees.

ISO500, FL58mm

Buin, meltemi, snunney, cbrman, Tobias__Ortmann, ChrisJ, Floydian, JCG, Photo65Net, pboehringer, josepmarin, dareco, danos, gneufeld, chrisnet, jusninasirun, scobert, Royaldevon, skippy007, plimrn, sagar, pablominto, stego has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To plimrn: " I see Stan is figuring out that you are a teacfeather 2 04-23 11:14
To scobert: Researchfeather 1 04-21 08:55
To pboehringer: "turned it upside down to shut it upfeather 1 04-20 10:37
To Floydian: rhinofeather 1 04-20 07:21
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Buin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3390 W: 0 N: 6728] (23510)
  • [2008-04-20 1:44]

Hallo Kath!
Here you show us some true characters. What a mass of live in each one! An interesting photo and note as well.
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

Hello Kath,
beautiful colours for this magical compostion. I love the low grass in the foreground with so well staturated colours in front of this strange clouds which although catch the light, lends a wonderful atmosphere to this picture, and to the majestic and wondrous trees in between. Very interesting note as well.
Kind Regards.
Stella

Hello Kath,
A good composition of these interesting trees, which look splendid against the grey/blue sky. Colours and clarity are excellent. Very useful note.

  • Great 
  • cbrman Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2763 W: 294 N: 3524] (13066)
  • [2008-04-20 2:46]

Hello Kath,

Des arbres tout droit sortis de la préhistoire. Tu as trouvé une végétation étonnante dans ce très beau parc ! La nature semble être maître des lieux depuis des millions d'années.
Bien vu !

A+

Dominique

Hi again a picture from the taranigre np
Nice one I liked the trees very much.
BuT maybe you cropped a bit too much of the left tree when we could see all its beatifull body it would be better I think
but i really like the sapce of the right side
well done kath
Toba

  • Great 
  • ChrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 8672 W: 914 N: 11464] (55597)
  • [2008-04-20 5:08]

Hi Kath

Good symmetry, between the 2 large baobab trees, with excellent colour, sharpness & framing. Well done!

Hello Kath,
Those trees are very photogenic, one day i must have them in front of my lens. The slighty red color cast is there, but not that bad. You know for yourself what you can do to punch it up. The left tree is touching the edge, small detail. And I miss a large Rhino on the right, but you can't have it all ;-)
Regards, Henk

  • Great 
  • JCG Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3210 W: 403 N: 4529] (16180)
  • [2008-04-20 8:46]

Hi Kath,

These giants do not pass unperceived in African savanna. I like the harmony of the colors, the gray sky gives a pleasant relief and a good contrast with the remainder of the environment. A beautiful image to illustrate your interesting note on this tree.

With all my friendships and a very good end of WE,

Jean-Charles

Kath,
I like this nature catch, with great and informative note.
A very pleasant image, you succeeded enhancing tree size, I like that.
Regards,
JB.

LOL, "turned it upside down to shut it up"! What kind of teacher are you, Kathy? Is that the kind of thing and language that you taught your class? After your previous posts regarding baobab I look differently at this image and I even can see that elephants were "working" on these trunks. You see, your fulfilling your premises by teaching at least someone something with your posts ;-)
Peter

Hello Kath,
Though they are not of the same variety that others, these baobabs looks magnificent in your composition, also they are enormous and spectacular, and why not? very elegant.
I like the luminosity of your photo, and such soft tones, that they give a nice graphical result.
Great work.
Best wishes,
Josep

salut kath
always in admiration in front of these majestic trees, splendid framings of this image, always such a good work
amitiés
gilbert

  • Great 
  • dareco Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1564 W: 39 N: 681] (9461)
  • [2008-04-20 13:50]

The perfect picture to 'kick off' a great daydream :) Beautiful scenery so different than any I've ever seen. The trees are beautiful. TFS

  • Great 
  • danos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3265 W: 83 N: 4717] (17842)
  • [2008-04-20 15:22]

Hello Kath,
nice shot with the strange baobab trees to steal the show.The knot of trees is well placed in the scene.The pale morning light and colours create a pleasantly atmosphere.Informative and useful your note.

Have a nice week,Danos

Hi Kath,
Amazing topography and vegetation - so incredibly different than anything we see in our part of the world. TE is a wonderful forum to share the uniqueness of our world. You do that very well. TFS. Gerald

Unique trees for this part of the world. Well framed, pity about the overcast sky perhaps. Still, the design of these trees is amazing!
Thanks,
Dave

  • Great 
  • Dyerco Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1233 W: 13 N: 1254] (5324)
  • [2008-04-20 17:04]

Hi Kath
Thanks for the write up. These trees are indeed a wonder. I believe thay are also in Australia although they may not be native. I like this composition except for the tree on the left which is a bit cut off. The exposure is spot on and the scene is one of peace and tranquility.
Phil

bonjour KATH.
exellente composition des Baobab!
un jour il faudra que je visite une reserve africaine!
amitiés....aldo.

Hello Kath,
The baobabs are beautiful and majestic trees, good framing and soft colors, a good shot.
Regards

Hello Kath. Thanks for sharing this tree in full view. I like the canopy and large stems making like it is dwarfed in the vastness of nature. Amazing how the foliage is so green contrasting so well with the tall grass in the foreground. Well done and thanks for sharing the useful note too. Best regards. Jusni

Hi Kath,
Another very throrough job of research and some very interesing notes. I like the way that you included the local legend about the Gods vs the boabob tree. Elephants are eating machines and I hope that there are enough boabob trees to sustain them for some time to come. Another excellent shot and very interesting notes. You are very good at research and I believe that research must have been an important part of your job before you retired. Well done!
Stan

  • Great 
  • UlfE Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1430 W: 16 N: 1433] (5733)
  • [2008-04-21 10:30]

Hi Kath,

Very impressive trees and a really good composition. It really feels as if the placing of the biggest tree in the middle of the picture is the very best. Excellent sharpness and very nice and natural colours. TFS and have nice evening.

Cheers,

Ulf

P.S. A very useful note.

  • Great 
  • Stepan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4934 W: 93 N: 3816] (25152)
  • [2008-04-21 12:05]

Baobab... Even the word makes you travel. Travel far away...
You were not really lucky with the weather, but it produces interesting contrast and colors... Then, it's ok.
Stéphane

Hello Kath,

I've heard the tale of the Upsidedown Tree but you have added much more! It is quite remarkable!

Very good composition and the three, main trees give a nice balance.
Good, natural colour tones.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)
Many thanks for your feedback on 'Windermere from High Wray.

Hello Kath,
Beautiful soft colour in this scene, excellent detail & composition, you have captured these upside-down trees:-) very well.
Nice interesting & informative note.
Thanks
Santo

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4728 W: 120 N: 450] (41573)
  • [2008-04-21 23:13]

Hi Kath,
another nice African reportage, great baobabs trees. Good shot and interesting note. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

  • Great 
  • Gerrit Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4098 W: 86 N: 4968] (24243)
  • [2008-04-22 1:03]

Hi Kath,
beautiful landscape with the main role for tis wonderful remarkable trees. Excellent composition.
Regards, gerrit

Hi Kath,
This is a good compostion of the landscape.Wonderful perspective and good detail and bright colours. well done ,
Georg

  • Great 
  • plimrn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3658 W: 230 N: 4882] (15494)
  • [2008-04-22 15:12]
  • [+]

Hi Kath,
I don't believe I've ever seen a baobob tree leafed out. They are quite striking and surprisingly beautiful. I love the way the colors move from the light green-gold grass ; it makes a very peaceful, harmonious composition.the gray-green leaves and then to the blue gray sky. I see Stan if figuring out that you are a teacher!!
HLJ, Pat

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9450 W: 448 N: 15003] (52624)
  • [2008-04-23 10:10]

fantastic trees kath,
marvelous shot here, the pov is very good and I like the balance in the good composition, very good wild shot from Africa again, good photojob, have a nice evening.
gr., jaap

  • Great 
  • sagar Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 384 W: 65 N: 285] (1785)
  • [2008-04-23 23:14]

Hi Kath,
These trees bear the stamp of Africa. They have their own uniqueness isnt it? Simple , yet an elegant shot. The notes are very informative too.
Regards,
Sagarneel.

  • Great 
  • coco Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4188 W: 145 N: 4934] (23322)
  • [2008-04-23 23:43]

Hi Kath.

Simple but good picture. Good and simple, yes, but it is a TE photo and also it looks a very nice work.

And as always, an amazing story beyond the photo.

Regards from Barcelona.

  • Great 
  • Angshu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4889 W: 168 N: 7509] (24514)
  • [2008-04-24 20:52]

Hi Kath
Not exactly the type of image of baobabs we are habituated in seeing, so different even from the ones of Madagascar. I think this is not one of your flawless compos with the left part of the tree slightly clipped off. Enjoyed the story in your note a lot though.
Best Regards
Angshu

Hello Kath,
They are amazing trees and with the special appearance they make great subjects for photo!
I get an impression that the one in the middle is an old tree but I don't really know that...
A pleasant composition without disturbing elements!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • stego Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3486 W: 589 N: 4578] (13956)
  • [2008-04-27 12:16]

Hi Kath,

Like in many of your posts, I admire how the compo looks so simple and even obvious but it is actually very clever and achieved. It's gorgeous in a very discreet manner. The only thing that could be better was that the tree on the left hadn' been slightly cropped. Great sharpness and light. Maybe the sky looks a bit disappointing at first, but I think it contributes to a certain atmosphere that suits well the exoticness of the trees. Very nice note, I enjoy much the story of the fed up god.

I think that the first time I ever heard of this tree was when I read the funny Alphonse Daudet's book "Tartarin de Tarascon", in which the main character, quite a fantasist and lier, claimed to have a baobab tree in a flowerpot. In Portuguese it's called embondeiro and it is part of the national folklore and cultures of Angola and Mozambique.

Regards, José.

I like the trees too, Tanzania is a beautiful place. Of course, your photos are more beautiful.
by the way, I will post for you a very long life tree of 5,000 years in my gallery.
Best regards, wei

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