Redwoods National Park, California

The world’s tallest tree is a Costal Redwood at 380 feet with many of these mature giants reaching heights of 300-350 feet – the size of a 30 story skyscraper! One secret to their staggering height is their ability to absorb moisture through their bark instead of having to pump all of the water they need from their roots the complex and mysterious wonderland created by a grove of these giants.  

  One of the most challenging aspects of capturing the essence of a grove of redwoods in a single photograph is finding a proper vantage point – they grow so tall, and the forest floor is so dense that it’s hard to get an appropriate perspective. After hiking a dozen trails, I came across a fallen giant on a steep hillside that gave me the perfect clearing about 50’ above a small valley. Returning each morning I was finally able to capture the perfect mix of light penetrating the morning fog – an exposure that begs the viewer to visually explore among the shadows and fog. The scene has a sense of mystery and curiosity, and it makes you wonder – how deep does the forest go? What’s behind the fog? One can see why this real place has become the fictional setting of the Bigfoot, the Ewoks, or whatever the human imagination can muster. But beyond all of that, for me, there’s a deep sense of tranquility and reverence that is simply unmatched. 

  Sadly, we’ve lost 95% of the original redwood forests, and they currently only exist in a narrow band of groves stretching from northern California to southern Oregon.

  Each remaining grove has a story – a person or group of people who recognized the importance of these trees and stepped up to protect them and did so long before they had State or Federal protection.. When we think about conservation, the most intimidating thought is “Can we really make a difference?” The story of the remaining Redwood forests and what has ultimately become Redwoods National Park is proof that we can come together and make a difference.