Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Australian Tree Trunk Series, Photo No. 4

Australian Tree Trunk Photo No. 4, "Gulls and Sea Shore"

(Click image to enlarge)

I always find the trunks of eucalyptus trees interesting because they are so different from those I usually see in the the United States. I decided to photograph a few of the trunks up close as abstracts. This is the fourth in the series.

This tree is one of about 800 different species within the genus Eucalyptus that are found in Australia. This photograph was captured in a vertical format and then turned on its side to resemble a landscape painting. Bark falling away from the trunk is seen at the bottom of the photograph, forming the "sea shore", and divots in the off-white newer bark form the "gulls". I first thought the divots were made by birds but later realized they were made by the claws of koalas climbing the tree.

This particular tree was found near a trail in Victoria's Great Otway National Park. The bark of all eucalyptus trees dies each year and eventually falls away. In smooth bark types the bark comes off in flakes, curls, or long strips, as is the case here. In rough bark types it accumulates in entwined, stringy masses.