Palo Alto Trees is a selection of images from my recent hike up to The Dish in Palo Alto, California. Although I have lived here for nearly six months this was my first walk up to the iconic dish overlooking Stanford University. In this first image I love the curvature of the background suggesting this is a particularly special tree rising alone on the top of the world.
The sun makes the air visible to me. Since I was child the trees in my hamlet in Texas were mysteries to me and places to ponder my misery and also my plans to triumph. I lived a life like a Wes Anderson film and trees in this pattern are beautiful reminders of where I come from and the imagination it took me to get here.
Juliet spotted this lone stump brimming with character. This seems like a signpost in Dodge City or along some wagon trail to hell. The texture in the wood is in such harmony with the grass and the tree behind. I like this image very much.
The final Palo Alto trees are opposite forces sitting in the deep Serengeti-like grass. The area is known to be a haven for mountain lions and coyotes and they strictly usher everyone out by dark. I found myself walking with an eye to the heavy rocks I could grab in case I needed to go a round or two with a Puma.
I took all images of Palo Alto trees with the Nikon D7000 with 18-205 lens. I used Snapseed only to process the images and all were tweaked in numerous ways.




Spooky but gorgeous
agreed! cheers to you and hope all is well
Thanks, all good in this part of the world and the rollercoaster has slowed down for a while so I’m trying to make the most of it. Really loving what you’re doing with your iphone photography.
Thank you so much for the compliment and always for the amazing support. We have to get down to your part of the world one of these days
You’re most welcome and yes, come to Australia and I think you’ll find plenty to explore and photograph, not to mention tasting great Aussie wines
are you guys in east or west Australia?
on the east coast, have never been to the west…one day
never? Let’s all meet in Perth then
Stranger things have happened
i really LOVE coastal live oaks – they are amazing trees!
I agree. I read one of your posts last evening. I like your style
I simply love these shots! Makes me want to drive to Palo Alto…
Thank you! Come on over. We are happy to show friends
Gorgeous photos! Wish I was there….
I thought you were off on some amazing journey. Come see us and we’ll do it up!
We would LOVE that. I am in WI . Today is my Dad’s 87th Bday!
That is awesome! I hope he has a wonderful birthday
Safe travels and enjoy being home!
Thanks Michael!
Oak trees are home.
Agreed! Thanks for the hello
I might get an iPhone for my upcoming birthday. When’s the last day I can register for your event? Also, I’m in touch with Arash. Thank you!
Hey Jessica,
I am excited you might be getting into the iPhone world. It’s tough to say about the deadline. The event has 10 slots and 3 are filled. So there are 7 slots remaining. I would expect that we will fill the class by April 1. I am sorry I cannot be more help. We would love to have you in the class
Hey, okay. Good to know! I should know if I can come long before April 1. I’ll be in touch.
awesome…have a great weekend!
The oak trees here in Northern California are amazing, and I think at their best in beauty in winter.
They are amazing! So cool juxtaposed to grass and rolling hills
Lovely stuff Michael. Many years ago, we designed an identity for an Insurance company that included an oak tree. We had the brilliant idea of developing a series of ads that showed a real oak at different times of the year, to reflect the four seasons. We got to season three and lost the account. Damnation!
Best,
Conor
Conor,
Thank you for this lovely comment. I would bet your ad was amazing! How are things on the island sir?
Hi Michael,
Pretty good over here. We are selling our own brand of optimism and it is really making a difference to us and to anybody prepared to listen to it. There is still huge negativity in many parts of our society but, I refuse to wear it.
The blog goes well. Lots of engagement and growing numbers. I am enjoying that too.
Looking forward to welcoming you and your good lady whenever you get here.
Best,
Conor
We are working on this Conor. We have Dublin on the brain
Glad to see you are doing well. I miss the day to day with all of you guys. So much going on trying to make a living in this creative field…it will happen