Below- apart from the dozing Pelicans- there is a sand-print of a Pelican's foot and a sand-print of my Bum- Shuffle:
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Malibu Lagoon: Sand-Prints
I have developed my own technique for getting close to the birds at the Lagoon, especially the Pelicans: the Bum-Shuffle. First, I walk very slowly in their direction. When I see them looking uneasy, I spread my towel on the sand and sit on it together with my bag. Once they have quietened down and the one I am targeting has gone to sleep- with his head tucked into his back- I proceed, inch by inch, to creep forward on my bum, leaving my island of belongings behind. In this way I can get really close to them. Often, however, I am thwarted: either a child will come running across the sand, waving at the birds, or all the birds on the Lagoon will suddenly-for no apparent reason- go into panic-mode. The Pelicans will fly off into the middle of the Ocean, leaving me sitting there by myself....
Below- apart from the dozing Pelicans- there is a sand-print of a Pelican's foot and a sand-print of my Bum- Shuffle:
Below- apart from the dozing Pelicans- there is a sand-print of a Pelican's foot and a sand-print of my Bum- Shuffle:
Malibu Lagoon: Pelicans
Last week- after what seemed like many weeks of grey, cold weather- the sun came out and we had, and continue to have, some beautiful Southern Californian days. This spurred me on to visit one of my favorite places, with my camera- the Malibu Lagoon. At this time of year, during the week it can be quite deserted, except for BIRDS- hundreds of birds- a bird Paradise.
The first day I went there I was concentrating on the Pelicans, so here are some of them:
The first day I went there I was concentrating on the Pelicans, so here are some of them:
Friday, January 9, 2009
Evening Light
There is nothing so seductive as that last evening "glow" in which the low sun transforms the landscape into magic. Perhaps because it is so transitory and elusive- you can miss it so easily- it becomes even more exciting. I seem to have been chasing that moment for much of my life- racing up Scottish mountains, rushing round street corners- sometimes catching it, sometimes missing it. Here in Santa Monica I was blissfully happy walking round my local roads this evening.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Tree Questionnaire 2: Scott Smith
My 2nd Tree Questionnaire was completed by Scott Smith, Photographer. As he mentions, he is involved in an exciting project of producing 29 large-format photos of exceptional Palm Trees for an exhibition. Scott was also a committed Treesaver who worked tirelessly to help save some of the Ficus Trees on the streets of Santa Monica. Here are his answers:
Q: What is your first memory of a tree?
S: Flowering plum tree in our front yard (Baltimore) - deep dark maroon leaves.
Q: Which is your favorite tree of all?
S: A climbable ancient oak.
Q: Could you name or describe an artistic depiction of a tree that is special to you?
S: Bernice Abbott's b&w photo of birds in a tree.
Q: Was there a particular person who introduced you to the importance of trees?
S: Big Jim (older kid) who explained the building of tree forts in terms of parental escape.
Q: What is the most useful quality a tree can provide?
S: Shelter (sitting under, as well as building material).
Q: If you were a tree which would you be and why?
S: Coconut palm - lives at the beach, leans out over lapping waves and watches girls in bikinis.
Q: Which is the happiest tree?
S: Ficus - innocent and optimistic, the original lollipop tree drawn by kids.
Q: Are there any trees that are part of your life now?
S: Twenty nine palms captured on film for my exhibition prints and three live palms on the sunporch.
Q: What would you do, or like to do, to help trees?
S: Been there, done that with Treesavers.
Q: What would you say to future generations about the importance of trees?
S: Trees are our planet's lungs - protect them.
Some weeks ago, before completing the Questionnaire, Scott sent me his photo below, as of a tree he "fell in love with tonight"!
Q: What is your first memory of a tree?
S: Flowering plum tree in our front yard (Baltimore) - deep dark maroon leaves.
Q: Which is your favorite tree of all?
S: A climbable ancient oak.
Q: Could you name or describe an artistic depiction of a tree that is special to you?
S: Bernice Abbott's b&w photo of birds in a tree.
Q: Was there a particular person who introduced you to the importance of trees?
S: Big Jim (older kid) who explained the building of tree forts in terms of parental escape.
Q: What is the most useful quality a tree can provide?
S: Shelter (sitting under, as well as building material).
Q: If you were a tree which would you be and why?
S: Coconut palm - lives at the beach, leans out over lapping waves and watches girls in bikinis.
Q: Which is the happiest tree?
S: Ficus - innocent and optimistic, the original lollipop tree drawn by kids.
Q: Are there any trees that are part of your life now?
S: Twenty nine palms captured on film for my exhibition prints and three live palms on the sunporch.
Q: What would you do, or like to do, to help trees?
S: Been there, done that with Treesavers.
Q: What would you say to future generations about the importance of trees?
S: Trees are our planet's lungs - protect them.
Some weeks ago, before completing the Questionnaire, Scott sent me his photo below, as of a tree he "fell in love with tonight"!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A Santa Monica Afternoon...
We are so lucky in Santa Monica: not only do we have these ever-amazing trees but we also always have the mountains in our sight (now often snow-capped) and we are never far from the expansive Ocean. Walking on the beach to the accompaniment of the sound of the waves; watching the shore-birds and examining their footprints in the sand and the excitement of enjoying yet another example of Eucalyptus bark- all these things amount to pure happiness on a Santa Monica afternoon.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tree Questionnaire 1: Kate Holt
Influenced by "The Proust Questionnaire"- confessional questionnaires completed by Marcel Proust in 1886 and 1890-1891- I am sending out Tree Questionnaires to people in different walks of life who share with me a love of trees. My first victim, Kate Holt, is a writer from England- who this year became a US Citizen- and a fellow Santa Monica Treesaver. Here are her comments:
Q: What is your first memory of a tree?
K: Sitting under the almond blossom tree in our garden (England), soft scent, petals falling like snow.
Q: Which is your favorite tree of all?
K: Blossoming lime (linden) tree.
Q: Could you name or describe an artistic depiction of a tree that is special to you?
K: From childhood, the illustration of a tree house in my cherished Tall Book of Tales.
Q: Was there a particular person who introduced you to the importance of trees?
K: Mother and father, who continue to plant many varieties of trees on their property in England.
Q: What is the most useful quality a tree can provide?
K: Protection - as shelter for wildlife and shade for the rest of us.
Q: If you were a tree which would you be and why?
K: Coast redwood - breathes California's cool ocean air, lives longer than most and enjoys superlative views.
Q: Which is the happiest tree?
K: Apple tree - what could be happier than a tree bearing sweet red fruit?
Q: Are there any trees that are a part of your life now?
K: The kapok tree outside our bedroom window with its cycle of glorious pink flowers, green leafiness, plump seeds, and bare branches that cast exquisite shadows on the wall.
Q: What would you do, or like to do to help trees?
K: Nurture our urban forests and cherish trees everywhere.
Q: What would you say to future generations about the importance of trees?
K: Only connect - marvel at their complexity, beauty, and utility. Trees mysteriously commune with the earth and the sky, above and beneath which we would cease to exist without them.
Q: What is your first memory of a tree?
K: Sitting under the almond blossom tree in our garden (England), soft scent, petals falling like snow.
Q: Which is your favorite tree of all?
K: Blossoming lime (linden) tree.
Q: Could you name or describe an artistic depiction of a tree that is special to you?
K: From childhood, the illustration of a tree house in my cherished Tall Book of Tales.
Q: Was there a particular person who introduced you to the importance of trees?
K: Mother and father, who continue to plant many varieties of trees on their property in England.
Q: What is the most useful quality a tree can provide?
K: Protection - as shelter for wildlife and shade for the rest of us.
Q: If you were a tree which would you be and why?
K: Coast redwood - breathes California's cool ocean air, lives longer than most and enjoys superlative views.
Q: Which is the happiest tree?
K: Apple tree - what could be happier than a tree bearing sweet red fruit?
Q: Are there any trees that are a part of your life now?
K: The kapok tree outside our bedroom window with its cycle of glorious pink flowers, green leafiness, plump seeds, and bare branches that cast exquisite shadows on the wall.
Q: What would you do, or like to do to help trees?
K: Nurture our urban forests and cherish trees everywhere.
Q: What would you say to future generations about the importance of trees?
K: Only connect - marvel at their complexity, beauty, and utility. Trees mysteriously commune with the earth and the sky, above and beneath which we would cease to exist without them.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Carob Trees
Last night I was back at City Hall for a City Council meeting which included an Item on the fate of Santa Monica’s Carob trees.
In May (very shortly after the culling of the Ficus trees) Walt Warriner- Community Forest and Landscape Superintendent- raised a panic about the Cities’ Carob trees. Apparently, it was suddenly evident that most of the trees were riddled with rot and fungi and due for potential failure. At least 98 trees have now been removed. At a City Council meeting on May 22nd, it was recommended that further assessments should be made on 202 trees, the object being to see if they could be phased out gradually.
Last night Walt Warriner presented his report. Two independent arborists designated 189 of the trees with a high risk potential, saying they should be removed as soon as possible. This left only 13 that- although in poor condition- might survive longer with careful pruning.
No one doubts that the Carob trees have problems but is it really necessary to destroy a large section of the Cities’ canopy in one fell swoop? These mature, large canopied trees are doing an invaluable environmental job, and it would be harmful to the community to lose them all before replacement trees had a chance to mature. I fear that because one of the independent arborists- Cy Carlburg- was, on her own admission, involved with a tree that caused a fatality, the conclusions she reached were naturally colored by this very emotional incident. Yes, all trees have the potential of causing damage to pedestrians or property- and the Carob trees certainly have a possible risk factor but this factor has to be re-evaluated.
Fortunately, the Councilmembers are taking this very seriously- perhaps having learned a lesson from the slaying of the healthy Ficus trees? Councilmembers Genser, Shriver and McKeown put some very pertinent questions to Mr Warriner. The “point” system used to evaluate risk was questioned. It was shown that if a large, healthy Redwood was standing by a school playground, it would actually have the same risk factor number of 8 as a tree riddled with rot and due for removal!
Another query regards the replacement trees: it is planned that once street residents have agreed upon a particular suggested tree, those who wished could request a more costly one in front of their house. Apart from being very undemocratic, we would thus lose the wonderful, almost architectural unity of the avenues of same-species trees that make Santa Monica so special. The Councilmembers were also concerned about this.
The whole issue has been deferred.
Many of these endangered/ dangerous (?) carob trees are on 12th Street, where I stayed for some months in 2004, walking my daughter’s dog Bella along these avenues. As I have no immediate carob photos- and it is, unusually, raining today- I will instead show an image of Bella disguised as a Zebra……or a White Tiger?
In May (very shortly after the culling of the Ficus trees) Walt Warriner- Community Forest and Landscape Superintendent- raised a panic about the Cities’ Carob trees. Apparently, it was suddenly evident that most of the trees were riddled with rot and fungi and due for potential failure. At least 98 trees have now been removed. At a City Council meeting on May 22nd, it was recommended that further assessments should be made on 202 trees, the object being to see if they could be phased out gradually.
Last night Walt Warriner presented his report. Two independent arborists designated 189 of the trees with a high risk potential, saying they should be removed as soon as possible. This left only 13 that- although in poor condition- might survive longer with careful pruning.
No one doubts that the Carob trees have problems but is it really necessary to destroy a large section of the Cities’ canopy in one fell swoop? These mature, large canopied trees are doing an invaluable environmental job, and it would be harmful to the community to lose them all before replacement trees had a chance to mature. I fear that because one of the independent arborists- Cy Carlburg- was, on her own admission, involved with a tree that caused a fatality, the conclusions she reached were naturally colored by this very emotional incident. Yes, all trees have the potential of causing damage to pedestrians or property- and the Carob trees certainly have a possible risk factor but this factor has to be re-evaluated.
Fortunately, the Councilmembers are taking this very seriously- perhaps having learned a lesson from the slaying of the healthy Ficus trees? Councilmembers Genser, Shriver and McKeown put some very pertinent questions to Mr Warriner. The “point” system used to evaluate risk was questioned. It was shown that if a large, healthy Redwood was standing by a school playground, it would actually have the same risk factor number of 8 as a tree riddled with rot and due for removal!
Another query regards the replacement trees: it is planned that once street residents have agreed upon a particular suggested tree, those who wished could request a more costly one in front of their house. Apart from being very undemocratic, we would thus lose the wonderful, almost architectural unity of the avenues of same-species trees that make Santa Monica so special. The Councilmembers were also concerned about this.
The whole issue has been deferred.
Many of these endangered/ dangerous (?) carob trees are on 12th Street, where I stayed for some months in 2004, walking my daughter’s dog Bella along these avenues. As I have no immediate carob photos- and it is, unusually, raining today- I will instead show an image of Bella disguised as a Zebra……or a White Tiger?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Holiday Boutique
Since I started this blog, friends and fellow tree/nature addicts keep telling me how they would like to have my photos as cards. I have finally taken their advice and for the last few weeks have been enjoying myself converting many images int0 both cards and large-format photos. I will shortly be reconstructing my website - www.gillianware.com - and will up-load them onto it.
More immediately, this weekend I am taking a collection of my cards and photos to a local Craft Fair- the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club- SMWYC - Holiday Boutique. This takes place on both Saturday and Sunday, from 9am-4pm, at the Yacht Club: 13589 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey. So that's where you can find me and my photos, together with my friend Treesaver Louise who will be selling her jewelry.
And here are some of the images that are in various formats, large and small:
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A Dream Come True....
August 28th 1963: Martin Luther King,Jr had his Dream, a dream that moved me far off in London and became doubly moving when he was assassinated on April 4th 1968:
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”.
And so that dream was realized on November 4th 2008, as Barack Obama was elected 44th President of the United States of America. As he walked onto the platform with his wife and two young daughters- all four glowing and beautiful, a breath of fresh air- Martin Luther King’s words rang in my ears.
I kept thinking we had come a full circle. Back in the 60’s those of us who had grown up during the First World War had all felt the greyness of the 40’s and 50’s dispel and we believed a new world of peace and understanding was dawning. Then everything went backwards and we were disillusioned. Now at least there is the POSSIBILITY of a change; there is hope.
The different motives people have had to vote for Obama are irrelevant: it is enough that they have voted for him.
Viewing the ecstatic crowd scenes in Chicago on the television, I was struck by how the rapturous facial expressions reminded me of those of the awed acolytes in the film Close Encounters as they watched the landing of the spacecraft. The same joyous “glow” was evident.
To turn to local politics: also on November 4th, my good friend Susan Hartley stood for Santa Monica City Council but was not elected. An attorney and committed environmentalist (and co-founder of Treesavers), with clear ideas of the City's needs, she would have been a great asset. If she can be persuaded to stand at the next elections, perhaps then those dreams will come true.
Susan Hartley-photo by Scott Smith
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