Saturday, April 9, 2011

Trees (This week's Photo Hunt theme)





When many people who think of Hong Kong, they seem to either envision it as place with a harbour exotically filled with sampans and junk or as a more modern concrete jungle. Neither of these conjured visions have a place for all that many trees but the fact of the matter is that "my" Hong Kong is so filled with trees that it would be pretty hard for to single out a single tree to focus on or even a single tree-filled photo to offer up for the Photo Hunt this week.

If truth be told, I generally tend to take the existence of trees in Asia's World City for granted -- and thus hardly ever consciously choose to include them in a photo. Instead, they often just happen to be part of a grand view (like in the case with the top most photo which I took from a vantage point in Tai Tam Country Park right on Hong Kong Island) or a good perch for interesting looking birds (as in the second photo from the top) -- or actually partially obscure what would otherwise be a better picture (like in the third photo from the top)!

Alternatively, when I visited South Korea, I came across a tree at Suwon's Hwaseong Haenggung that caught my attention because of its prime location in the courtyard of the former royal palace and, also, because of its being festooned by colorful strips of cloth. As I understand it, this particular plant has stood for centuries in those grounds. Consequently, it is one of those trees that is venerated as well as respected -- considered sacred even.

And while we're on the subject of trees: I find it intriguing that my blog records show that one of its most checked out entries over the years has been that with the title of Tree Tales. And yes, trees really are its subject matter -- unlike the other popular entries on this blog (which tend to be about Hong Kong movies for the most part!).

30 comments:

jmb said...

Yes enlarging works here too, I'm glad to say. It hasn't for the last few weeks I noticed.

I'm glad to see that trees do thrive in Hong Kong but I already knew that from you wonderful photos.

Happy weekend to you YTSL>

gengen said...

Pretty one. Happy hunting. mine is up too.

Maya said...

YTSL, I never associated trees with Hong Kong until I came across your blog. You have shown me a side of a city that I can't wait to see in person.

Pat said...

Beautiful photos!!!

Happy Weekend.

Colin Campbell said...

Trees are so important in an urban environment. Here in Adelaide we have an overabundance. Many have struggled over the last few years with the very dry weather. This last year has been much better, but some may have had their day in the sun.

YTSL said...

Hi jmb --

Interesting that you can enlarge this week but not in previous weeks -- because I've been putting up the photos in the same way all this time.

And am glad that my photos have helped you get to know the green part of Hong Kong. :)

Hi gengen --

Happy hunting to you too.

Hi Maya --

Just remember: Hong Kong has 24 country parks which cover 40% of the territory's land! And yes, I hope you'll be able to visit some of them at some point in the near future. :)

Hi Pat --

Thanks. :)

Hi Colin --

It's so strange/ironic in view of the major news having come out of Australia being about the floods in the north to realize that places like Adelaide have not enough rain... Truly, nature can be so strange as well as wonderful.

Carver said...

We had a similar take on the theme. It's so important to have trees in cities and I'm glad that you do in Hong Kong. These are all beautiful shots. I love the way you started with the mountains and moved to specific trees.

Anneke (Mudhooks) said...

Sadly, in many places, trees seem to be rather expendable in the face or "progress". People take them for granted, often cutting them without permission because they block a view or because they drop leaves or seeds on someone's lawn.

I was incensed last winter when I was driving down a city street and saw that one of the city snow-blowers had blasted the ice, salt, and snow into the branches of the row of trees flanking one of the cities oldest remaining parks, instead of aiming lower down or blowing the snow into waiting trucks which is usually done!

Many branches of the old trees were snapped off and who knows how many squirrels were left homeless in the coldest weather when they nests were blown out of the branches! It was disgusting to see such wanton disregard for these lovely trees.

http://mudpuddle.wordpress.com/2011/04/09/photo-hunt-trees

LifeRamblings said...

it's good to know that there’s no lack of lush greenery or natural wonders in HK.

Susan Demeter said...

I did not know that about Hong Kong. I tend to think of the city as a concrete, modern jungle. Thank you for always showing us new and interesting sides of the city :)

Annie said...

I enjoy seeing photos of "your" Hong Kong and its trees. Glad they are there. The sacred tree is nice too. Happy weekend.

Unknown said...

it's amazing how green Hong Kong is. trees here are always sacrificed in the name of "progress". citizens are now more conscious and are vigilant against cutting of trees.

ancient one said...

Love your trees..thanks for coming by to see mine..

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, I love the variety in your photo collection for this week's theme. It's wonderful to see so many vantage points and I am intrigued and will look for your Tree Tales post.

Have a great weekend!

YTSL said...

Hi Carver --

Yeah, I think we are both people who like having nature not too far away from where we live -- and appreciate that the presence of trees adds to the quality of our environment. :)

Hi Anneke --

Oh dear re your story about the irresponsible snow blower! I hope that spring will bring new growth to those trees... and that the squirrels will continue to make them their homes for some time to come.

Hi Life Ramblings --

In all honesty, if Hong Kong didn't have Victoria Harbour and its plentiful green hills, it just would not be the same -- and be a way duller, less beautiful, etc. place in the bargain.

Hi Sue --

There definitely are parts of Hong Kong that are filled with concrete -- but the good thing is that greener parts really aren't that far away from even the most built up areas! :)

Hi Annie --

Thanks for appreciating my views and photos. Hope you have a good weekend too. :)

Hi Luna Miranda --

I will give a lot of credit for those in Hong Kong who have been carrying out reforestation and afforestation in large swathes of the territory -- and to those who lay out/create the hiking paths and trails through the countryside that enables the likes of me to truly appreciate this. :)

Hi ancient one --

Glad you do re the trees and you're welcome re the earlier visit to your blog. :)

Hi Trekcapri --

FYI, you can just click on the Tree Tales phrase as I've linked to my piece from there! :)

Marta said...

All are lovely but I do like the one from Korea - I'm intrigued by ancient trees and how they cling to life.

Liz said...

I've seen lots of trees when I visited Hongkong. :) Love your photos.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Trees

Anonymous said...

Ooh, a bird tree. I have cat trees.

Sandra said...

YTSL, thank you for sharing your photos of the trees of Hong Kong. I always learn something new when I visit your blog, such as the sacred tree, how nice. Happy weekend.

Gypsi said...

Lovely tree photos. I especially love the first one!


Mine is here.

YTSL said...

Hi Marta --

I get intrigued by ancient trees on account on the stories and myths that develop around them. :)

Hi Liz --

Yay re your having seen lots of trees when visiting Hong Kong. Did you go hiking or did you just look up at trees in the hills from the city? :b

Hi Azahar --

Heheheh... just saw the cat trees on your blog entry. They seem very pricey ones! ;)

Hi Sandra --

Thanks for appreciating my photos of trees in Hong Kong and South Korea. :)

Hi Gypsi --

Did you click to enlarge that first photo? Hope so! :)

MaR said...

Love the third one with the sailing boats, great perspective and great shots for the theme! Happy weekend.

among trees

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

poor bird, no leaves to protect them.

magiceye said...

lovely take on the theme.

HelpXtra said...

Thank you for the link to the Tai Tam Country Park. I have never travelled to HK so was ignorant of any countryside other than "a place with a harbour exotically filled with sampans and junk or as a more modern concrete jungle." :o)

YTSL said...

Hi Mar --

Glad you like that photo *despite* some parts of some trees getting in the way of the shot! ;b

Hi Ann --

Well... the birds can always go to another tree if they want. For myself, am happy they were on that leafless tree because they were easier to spot and photograph that way! :D

Hi Magiceye --

Thanks. :)

Hi gitwizard --

You're welcome -- and just think: Hong Kong as 24 country parks (one of which I've just been hiking in earlier today!). :b

alejna said...

Lovely trees!

I was curious about your old "Tree Tales" post, and went to read it. Very enjoyable! I would certainly be at a loss to identify a mango tree sans mangos.

I'm sad to say that I can't even identify all the types of trees that grow in my own yard. I know we have oaks and maples, but there are some other tress that are neither oaks nor maples. I can't even guess what they are, but I'm quite certain that they are mango trees! (Sadly. I do love mangos.)

YTSL said...

Hi Alejna --

I'm glad you checked out my "Tree Tales" post and enjoyed it. :)

And re our not being good at ID-ing trees: guess we're city folks at heart... ;b

alejna said...

Yes, I guess I am a city person, much as I enjoy aspects of the country. (And I feel compelled to say that I meant that I am certain that my trees are *not* mango trees. Which is a shame. But I doubt mangos would survive in this climate.)

YTSL said...

Hi again Alejna --

Yeah, I did wonder about the mango tree line in your previous comments... ;b

Also, yeah, being city people at heart is yet another trait that you and I have in common. :)