For the first time in a long time I am submitting photographs for the #steemitphotochallenge
I have to laugh at myself a little because the caliber of photographers on this platform is nothing short of brilliant...and I'm trying to play. LOL

Do you have any idea how blessed we are to have a plethora of talent across the board on one platform?

Tree entry #1

Sunset on Buccaneer Bay

_{Photographed in July, 2015 using Canon PowerShot SX1 iS}

This was taken from the balcony of my hotel room when I was in between houses. It wasn't a great time in our life but I take the blessings where I can. I couldn't resist the contrast of palm trees against the orange sky, and though the sun set every day in that general area, I believe this was the best sunset I'd witnessed during my stay.

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Tree entry #2

A Symbiotic Relationship

_{Photographed in 2015 using my iPhone 5s}

At my previous home I had oak trees that were covered in Spanish Moss. I could sit on my back porch all day and watch the moss wave gently in the Florida breeze and wondered at its beauty. I was also concerned that the amount of Spanish Moss dripping from my trees might in fact be "choking" my trees!

That's when I found out that the oak and moss have a somewhat symbiotic relationship. It's technically a commensalistic relationship where one species, the Spanish moss, benefits from the relationship, but is not beneficial or harmful to the other species (the oak). ¹

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Tree entry #3

Sunset on the lake

_{Photographed in autumn of 2011 using Canon PowerShot SX1 iS}

I wish I could remember the name of this lake in Vermont. My family had gathered here in the autumn of 2011 to spread dad's ashes. I miss him terribly.

When I took the photo I was amazed at the layers of color - and once again, I'm drawn to trees in the foreground to give the shot a natural framework and proportion. Plus I am simply addicted to trees and how their branches stretch and reach for the unattainable sky. I can relate to that more often than not.

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I hope you've enjoyed my photographs and short stories behind them. Consider joining @jamtaylor's Steemit Photo Challenge.

This is the link to last week's winners and honorable mentions, as well as the announcement for this SPC-32's theme: TREES

📷 Steemit Photo Challenge - SPC 31 Winners and New Theme Announcement! 📷 - updated winners

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