Hezekiah Goodson Jr. Nature Photography
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Earliest Proof Of Spring
Saucer Magnolia
Raleigh NC
The flowers of the Saucer Magnolia emerge dramatically on a bare tree in early spring. It's flowers are large and goblet shaped and cover the naked stems of the tree just before the leaves emerge. Each bloom is composed of six waxy petals in a [goblet] arrangement that ranges in a diameter from 3-6 inches. When fully opened, it forms a saucer position.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
TREES AND FOREST
What's Around The Corner?
Bear Island
Hammocks Beach State Park, NC
Since vehicles are not allowed on Bear Island and can only be reached by ferry, this unusually wide path seem to lead to no where as it winded its way "around the corner". Although this shrub thick Maritime Forest created a wilderness environment of loblolly pine, red cedar, red maple, and various oaks, the path was a pleasant 10 minute walk, that lead to a white pristine beach, almost four miles long, on the Atlantic Ocean.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Parade Of The Willow Oaks
Chavis Park, Raleigh NC
Willow Oaks are very popular trees because of there horticultural value for planting, and for the production of lumber, pulp and paper. These Willow Oaks seem to be in a parade on one cold winter day at the historic Chavis Park, in Raleigh NC.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Fruit Of The Gods
American Persimmon
Raleigh NC
While driving along a city street in Raleigh NC, this Persimmons Tree with it's bright yellow fruit stood out like an abundance of caution lights. The persimmons are derived from the genus Diopyros, which means "Fruit Of The God's". Persimmons is high
in Vitamin C, can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. However, the most popular uses are persimmon pie and persimmon pudding.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Hand
Leaves Of The Japanese Maple
Raleigh NC
Japanese Maple trees are highly sought after and are grown worldwide for their attractive leaf shapes and color. The leaves are sometimes called "The Hand" because of the hand-like shape of its leaves. The leaves from the tree in this image [and the focal point in my backyard] was planted over 15 years ago.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Shadows Of The Sequoia
Red Wood National & State Park
Northern California
These humongous Sequoia Trees, some reaching 379 feet in height and up to 26 feet in diameter, dwarf everything within its presence. These trees help preserve a number of threatened animal species within its own rare ecosystem such as the Northern Spotted Owl, Bald Eagles, Brown Pelican and other species.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Cypress Knees
Bald Cypress
Lake Mattamuskeet National Wild Life Refuge
North Carolina
The "Cypress Knees" are very prevalent in this grove of Cypress Trees growing on the lovely Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina. Cypress Knees are woody projections sent above the ground or water that are part of the root system of the Bald Cypress. A deciduous tree, The Bald Cypress loses it needles in winter, hence the "bald" moniker. Also the Bald Cypress is one of the more decay-resistant trees in existence.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Sacred Barrier
Bamboo Forest
Durham NC
Bamboo is sometimes called the "Sacred Barrier" by the Japanese because it is one of the fastest growing woody plants in the world, and would sometimes surround their sacred shrines. Unlike trees, bamboo has the potential to grow to full height and girth in a single growing season of 3-4 months, and is considered to be a group of perennial evergreens in the grass family. However, in some parts of the world there is debate over whether bamboo is a tree or grass.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Shadows On The Trail
Shenandoah National Park, VA
A mixture of young Hickory, Chestnut, and Oak trees, along with Mountain Laurel, create an interesting shadow on the trail, as friends and I hiked along the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah's.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Hardwoods After Rain
Appalachian Trail
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
While trekking through these hardwoods in early spring, suddenly the rains came and then stopped as suddenly as they came. What a cleansing smell in the forest after a spring rain.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Adirondack Red Spruce
Adirondack Museum
Hamilton County, New York
The Red Spruce of the Adirondacks with its dark green leaves complements the yellow and blue flowers in the the foreground. The building is the Merwin Hill Pavilion on the grounds of the Adirondack Museum.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Highly Revered
Monterey Pine
Big Sur, California
The Monterey Pine is the most widely planted pine tree in the world. Valued for rapid growth and desirable lumber and pulp quantities. Its cones remain closed until opened by the heat or a forest fire; the abundant seeds are then discharged to regenerate on the burned forest floor.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Tree Of Life
African Baobab Tree
Lake Manyara National Park
Tanzania Africa
Most Africans have a high regard for the Baobab Tree because of its mystique, legend, and superstition. The tree trunk which is very huge provides food, water, shelter, and relief from sickness. The Baobab fruit has three times as much vitamin C as an orange, and 50% more calcium than spinach. Sprouts of young trees can be eaten like asparagus, and the seeds can be roasted for use as coffee substitute. It's no wonder that most African villages sprout up around these trees, and where village elders hold community meetings.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Desert Tree
Saguaro Cactus
Saguaro National Park
Tucson Arizona
Sometimes call the "Desert Tree" or the Monarch of the Sonoran Desert. The Saguaro Cactus is a supreme symbol of the American West. Western movies or "cowboy pictures" as friends and I called them, would not be western without Saguaro Cacti as a back drop. The Saguaro is renowned for its odd, and simetimes human shape, expanded arms, and their relatively long life span. It takes up to 75 years to develop a side arm, while some specimens may live for more than 150 years. Whenever it rains, Saguaros soak up the rain water, expand, hold the rain water, conserves the water, and slowly consumes it.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
The Changing Landscape
Ponderosa Pine
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Flagstaff, Arizona
These Ponderosa Pines stand in isolation among ash covered hills; the result of a volcano approximately 800 years ago. The Sunset Crater eruption produced a blanket of ash and semi-molten lava that destroyed this once lush Ponderosa Pine Forest, and reshaped the surrounding landscape forever. All the hills and mountains you see in these images are volcanos. However, all is not lost. Each time a volcano erupts, life begins anew, as seen in this "changing landscape".
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
Quaking Aspen
North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park
The leaves of the Quaking Aspen Tree have the curious feature of appearing to quake or tremble in even a slight breeze, giving the tree its name. Legend has it that the white dust from the Aspen bark is ceremonially applied to a Navajo girl's face so that like the tree, her skin will stay smooth and wrinkle free, and she will remain straight and not bent with age.
Hezekiah Goodson Jr.
