End of Autum

[hminx]

With many farms around here converting to dairying, these "Old man Macrocarpa" trees are rapidly disappearing. I took this shortly before sunset the yesterday, with the countryside starting to look a little tatty as it shuts down for winter.

[Greg McCary]

Very nice Pete.

[Tyson L. Sparks]

A+++ I love it. Print and hang!

[Frog]

Nice landscape.
Why are those trees disappearing...can't think how they'd interfere with dairy farming if they are that scattered.
I also love that fence.
Good way to remind us northerners about the seasons being opposite south of the equator.

[n8]

that's just beautiful. I love the colors, but I think a b&w might be neat too.

[Hexnut]

Agree w print and hang! Well done.

[OldClicker]

Really beautiful. A wonderful main subject plus something of interest everywhere that doesn't detract. - TF

[Anbesol]

I like it, but I do think it looks just a tad bit oversaturated.

[GB1]

Wow, powerful image here. That tree is so detailed, and so sharp. It looks dominant. The mountains and sky compliment it well, though the tree does blend ever so slightly into the mountain range. Not enough to really hurt the shot though. The only thing I wish is that there were more of the field in the foreground.

G

[daq7]

I would happily kill myself if I could take one shot this good. Very nice. Since I have to critique, I say, put a border on it.

[daq7]

ok, a bit more. Tone map it and pull some detail out of the clouds. You know you want to. Do it....

[snoid]

I agree with framing it.
That tree is something else.

[hminx]

Wow thanks for all the comments one and all I only posted this at my wife's insistence. I go past these all the time and I have to admit they are one of my favourite trees having spent a lot time climbing and building huts in them as a kid.There are still plenty about but dairy farmers tend to trim them back or cut them down as some chemical in the foliage can cause cows to abort.
I did try to put a border around this but I wasn't happy with the result, a skill I have yet to master. I'm a bit wary about processing clouds to much as I think it tend to make them look a bit unnatural but that could be my lack of technique.

[icicle]

Very nice.
I agree Print it and Hang it.

[gahspidy]

Awesome photo, Pete! Interesting background info about the tree and the land as well.
regarding Daqs comment about the clouds, I think that the softness and fluidity of the clouds as they are now adds a beautiful backdrop and brings out the depth and closeness of the tree and foreground area. Not sure enhancing details in the clouds would add, although i must admit I would be tempted as well.

lovely photo, must print and hang. Wife will be proud!!

[Anbesol]

congrats on the sticky - I think I changed my mind on saturation, on a different monitor now...

[daq7]

grats on the stick.

[Hexnut]

sticky well deserved. congrats

[hminx]

Gosh just blown away by the sticky, thanks all
Just a further bit of information, these trees ( Cupressus macrocarpa ) originate from Monterey, California and when transplanted found the New Zealand conditions rather to their liking. Here they can grow up to 40 mtrs high

[Ridgetop]

New Zealand! That explains it. I was trying to place where you were on the California coast and couldn't do it.

Very, very nice. Definte winner.

[Overbeyond]

It's perfect and needs no meddling about with.
Congratulations.

[Lori11]

Wow..........frame it, its stunning, the colors are amazing!

[MNRyan]

That is amazing! I don't think I would do anything but print it and hang it!!