Picturesque Ponderosa Pines

Many of us have a shared affection for trees … they’re so easy to love! Since living in Colorado a lot of my attention has gone to our very popular aspen trees. However, I have long admired the ponderosa pines that grow in my neighborhood, so I decided to make them a self-assigned photo topic. Ponderosas are big and beautiful, rising well above the other trees, with long needles, and bark that glows orange when the light is right. They seem to like an in-between elevation like our Loghill Mesa at 8,000 feet. The record for the tallest ponderosa, found in Oregon, claims 268 feet. To compare, a quick internet search tells me the tallest recorded Sierra Redwood is 325 feet. For the following images I went out on three occasions. The snow made the outings extra special, and it felt very peaceful just to stand below these magnificent beauties!

A stand of ponderosa pines show-off their beautiful bark in winter.
‘Pretty Ponderosas’ © Denise Bush
click here to view larger or order a print
Some ponderosa pines catch some light showing off their beautiful trunks.
‘Dressed In Snow’ © Denise Bush
A closeup view of a ponderosa pine tree trunk reveals the color and texture among snowy branches.
‘Ponderosa Forest Close-up’ © Denise Bush
notecards, unframed, framed, canvas, acrylic & metal prints available
Ponderosa pine trunks display a warm rust color, especially beautiful in contrast to the snow-covered branches.
‘Ponderosa Detail’ © Denise Bush
Large Ponderosa Pines create a peaceful winter grouping.
‘Ponderosas In The Snow’ © Denise Bush
Four ponderosa pine trees show off their straight trunks and colorful bark during a winter snow storm.
‘Snow Falling On Ponderosas’ © Denise Bush
A mighty ponderosa pine shows off it's beutiful orange bark in the last light of day.
‘Ponderosa Pines In Shadow & Light’ © Denise Bush
check out my ‘Tremendous Trees’ collection here

WordPress Reader/Retina Display Viewers: Please click on ‘Visit’, ‘Visit Site’, ‘View Full Site’ or the title of the post for the sharpest viewing experience. Images are optimized in the WordPress Reader, and will not look sharp using a Retina Display screen. denisebushphoto.wordpress.com

Published by

denisebushphoto

My passion for photography has rewarded me with the opportunity to examine the world carefully. My approach is intuitive and I choose to impose no constraints – leaving myself open only to possibilities. As a professional designer I am drawn to images that offer a strong composition, pattern and rhythm. Creating images with a unique perspective while sometimes pushing the limits of traditional composition 'rules' excites me. Landscapes, nature subjects and things from the past are common themes in my work.

51 thoughts on “Picturesque Ponderosa Pines”

  4. Trees are difficult subjects to pull off just right. Nicely done, Denise! I especially like ‘Ponderosa in the Snow’ because of the misty view down along the hillside. PPin S&L is classic.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Rich! It was snowing in that misty scene and a bit of a struggle to keep the camera dry. I guess I should have taken the time to use a rain sleeve. The last image was the same place but later the next day.

      Reply

  6. Beautiful collection! I like the warm color and light of the trees trunks with the cool colors of the background in the first. Also I noticed how the trees are often arranged with space between them.

    Reply

  11. These are all wonderful images, Denise. I feel a sense of peace viewing these. Of the top two, Dressed In Snow is my favorite because of the smaller, new growth trees around the base of the larger trees. I prefer Snow Falling On Ponderosas to Ponderosas In The Snow because of it’s vertical orientation fits with the tall trees although I do like that there is more to see in the horizontal image’s background. Again, great work and I love snow.

    Reply

      1. You did it very well, indeed! I channel you when photographing the mountains here and now I think I’ll be channeling you when I photograph trees! Simplifying and framing without distractions is talent!! 😀

        Reply

    1. Bonanza was one of my favorites growing up and Hoss was my favorite character. We still watch it sometimes. The main road through our neighborhood is named Ponderosa. Thanks for your visit and comment … I appreciate it every time!

      Reply

    1. Thanks Steve! It was blowing and snowing when I shot that one, so I didn’t stay long. I need to get a rain cover for my pack and use a rain sleeve for that scenario in the future. As we were discussing before … the lighting has a quiet mood.

      Reply

  22. I like this, Denise – love those trees. Our Shore pine, which is a lot shorter and often grows in contorted shapes, is a close relative of the Ponderosa but it doesn’t have the pretty bark, nor does it have the scent. With that bark color they are gorgeous in the snow! And ‘Ponderosa in the Snow’ conveys a wonderful sense of place. The last image puts me right there. I imagine warmth in the sun and quickly plunging temperatures as the sun sets.

    Reply

Leave a reply to denisebushphoto Cancel reply