“A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings, while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves. ” ~John Muir
Tree Partnerships
During the three summers I spent at Lake Walcott, I never got tired of looking at the park’s many trees. My favorites were the willows, Russian olives and the cottonwoods. The cottonwoods, thanks to Snake River irrigation water, were huge, the willows graceful and the frosty color of the Russian olives, which also grew larger than any I had seen elsewhere, gave the park’s greenness a vibrant texture.
Arms entwined in a naked embrace. Belly-laughing now. How about you? — Photo by Pat Bean
What amazed me was how many of them seemed to have grown up in pairs.
And like John Muir, I saw the trees in their many moods: From their naked branches, whose forms sometimes made me think of an Escher painting, to their passionate dance when a wind storm blew across the park, to their quiet summer verdancy when they issued an invitation for me to sit beneath them and partake of their shaded coolness.
And when I saw this week’s photo theme, the trees were the first thing that popped into my mind. if trees could make love, would their foreplay begin with kissing leaves? What do you think?
Pat Bean's blog 
Beautiful photos!
So many lessons to be learned from trees. Lovely post, Pat. Thanks. I’m eager to return to my Deception Pass Park trees in May. Four months among them will restore my soul.
Trees are kissed by the sun daily.
Except when they’re kissed by the rain. IOW, trees get kissed a lot! *G*
What do I think? I think that’s the first time I’ve ever been asked that question, but I don’t think I’ll now ever be able to forget it. 🙂
You make me laugh Alex. I think my broken ankle that is keeping me from driving is making me a little insane. Three more weeks, and hopefully I will be able to make my escape.
I know, sooner or later, I’ll end up telling someone about the trees kissing. I can almost almost hear myself doing it now.
I hope you get up and around VERY soon! In the meantime I recommend cheesecake, lots and lots of cheesecake!
I love cheesecake, but my daughter brought chocolate ice cream and that’s even better says this chocoholic.