A climbing tree Photo

Photographer’s Note

A lone climber climbs an ancient Karri Tree in the Warren National Park in the south-west of Western Australia.

In the 1930s and 1940s a series of fire lookouts were constructed at the top of these huge trees - they were a unique way of spotting fires in the forest. This particular tree, the Dave Evans Bicentenial Climbing tree, at 75metres is the tallest of 3 such trees which are open to the public. It was pegged recently as part of Australia's Bicentenial celebrations in 1988.

There is only one way to the top and that is by hand and foot up the pegs which are nailed in a spiral pattern to the trunk - it is not for the faint hearted. On this particular day rain was never far away and most visitors, including myself, did not take up the challenge. Either the rain detered them or they maintained that they are afraid of heights.

I witnessed a man being offered $500 if he made it to the top - he climbed about 6 steps !

holmertz, fanni, ktanska has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (10115) 2008-11-13 11:28

Hello Marlene,
I feel my stomach almost turning just by looking. A superb POV that really shows us how tall these trees are and how small a man looks at that height. Besides, the branches of the trees form lovely patterns against the sky.
Very well done,
Gert

fanni (9037) 2008-11-14 22:27

Hello Marlene,
as a lover of Nature I apperciate its incredible creatures which it offers to us and we can, fortunately, capture with our cameras!
The photo looks more like a b&w picture, but in this case I don't mind it because it's the subject that matters, in this case, not the colours.
I like the POV! It shows the huge tall trees perfectly (if I were you I would probably even try to lie on the ground to take a photo:)), and the inclusion of a person climbing one of the trees shows the real sizes and helps see the perspective better.
I like the note, too :) Perhaps I would try to climb one of those trees... ;) Maybe I would even manage to climb 8-9 steps LOL But what an unforgettable impression it would be!
Warm greetings from Moscow!
Have a nice weekend,
Elena

Stepan (27175) 2008-11-15 22:51

It's probably the scale I appreciate the most here. Huge and amazing.
The guy looks so tiny !!! Well done.
Stéphane

Atousa (3524) 2008-11-27 5:10

Salam Marlene,

They are really tall trees!..and your chosen pov has shown it well ..good idea to include the man in the frame for scale..I also like the soft colours of your shot..thank you.
Regards, A

nels (2455) 2008-12-03 7:49

hi marlene, great perspective including the climer lets us know just how high this tree is. I stayed in the Karri valley resort (a stunning place) and took up a challange to climb the tree i managed about 15mtrs,that was enough for me, good to see the climber in your shot has almost made the top
regards
adrian

ktanska (16743) 2009-03-12 4:38

Hi Marlene,
Backlit view against white cloud is not the best possible condition. But that's not the point here. It's showing the size of those trees. I guess world's tallest trees don't look much bigger compared to that. The size of the person somewhere in the middle is the best way to demonstrate that.
I think it's a sign of Australian daredevil culture to allow such for public. No way that could be possible in Finland.
Kari