In the Field

Nascent Ponderosa Pine Cones. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 11, 2004.

The cone-building process of Ponderosa Pine trees is a protracted, multi-year event. Early in the phase the cones are small, prickly, and deep purple in colour. The branch tips associated with cone-building commonly exhibit a strong, repeating pattern of radial symmetry, with the cones forming the first radiating circle, followed by a radiating ring of short needles, and finally followed by a ring of much longer needles.

While this pattern - and many others like it - are quite strong and striking, it's remarkably easy to overlook them. Several years ago I read a book by Canadian photographer Freeman Patterson entitled "Photography and the Art of Seeing" which helped to sharpen my awareness of pattern and subject recognition. I recommend the book. More info about it can be found at www.freemanpatterson.com.

Behind the Camera

Nascent Ponderosa Pine Cones. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 11, 2004.

Digital Capture; Compressed RAW (NEF) format; ISO 200.

Nikon D2H with Nikon AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8 lens (90 mm equivalent with digital conversion factor) supported on Gitzo G2220 Explorer tripod with Manfrotto 222 Joystick ballhead.

1/30s @ f5.6; -0.33 stop exposure compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.

At the Computer

Nascent Ponderosa Pine Cones. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 11, 2004.

Details to follow.

Conservation

Nascent Ponderosa Pine Cones. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 11, 2004.

Information to follow.