Mora Trail, Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, Santa Clara County, CA, 2/9/2006
This composition of a dormant oak tree awash in nurturing sunlight is for me a powerful symbol for awakening from the slumber of death. The tree - a favorite of mine - leans toward the sun, the source of all energy and life. In the background the hills fade dreamlike into the atmosphere. I had photographed this landscape before with a smaller camera. Now that I had equipment able to reveal the deeper subtler dimensions of the scene I waited for the same light conditions and found them on this glowing mid winter day. We're looking west and the distant peak at right is in the Duveneck Windmill Pasture Area, with an elevation of 1,148 feet above sea level. At left is Black Mountain. The 3,800 acre Rancho San Antonio in which this venerable oak stands lies in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains near the town of Los Altos Hills, CA.
