[Namibia 2017] Quiver Trees of Namibia #2
Namibia’s quiver trees are remarkable not only for their strange, prehistoric appearance, but for their longevity. In keeping with their not-quite-of-this-world aura, the trees, it seems, found ways to outsmart nature. In a formidable environment like the Kalahari, the quiver trees were able to adapt and as a result, can live for more than a century. The oldest among them is more than three hundred years old. Growing as tall as thirty feet, the upturned branches of the quiver tree escape the most intense heat radiating from the desert floor. The branches are coated in a powdery substance that reflects the sun’s rays, as if issuing a dare to the environment. The trees survive where virtually nothing else can, in one of the world’s harshest environments.
Even the quiver trees have their limits, however. Because of their remarkable life spans, the trees have witnessed the warming of the planet, and with their inborn skill for survival, they’ve begun migrating south, farther away from the equator. It’s as if, in shifting their range farther south and to higher altitudes, the otherworldly quiver trees are issuing a silent warning for the rest of us.
At first glance, the Quiver Forest seems to be a place devoid of life, a place in which only the most undaunted of survivors — the trees themselves — dare to exist. But there is life in abundance in the Kalahari. Even in the driest parts of the desert, ground cover flourishes. Only in the Kalahari’s salt-infused pans—and then only in the driest part of the year — is the landscape truly devoid of plant life. In much of the region grasses and acacia trees grow, undeterred by their harsh environment.
In the Quiver Forest it’s easy to be preoccupied with the strange, magisterial trees that give the place its name, to see only the curiously-shaped plants that seem to have come from a child’s sketch book. But the forest contains a multitude of other stories. Scattered among the trees — themselves older than any human will ever be — are volcanic boulders, thrust onto the earth’s surface in some distant epoch. The stories this place could tell. The world does this here and there — spreads an ancient landscape out before us, simply to remind us of our small place in the order of things.
Is there any place in the world like Namibia? Is there any place where the earth has given us gifts of such rare and unusual beauty?
Technical details:
Camera | Nikon d810 |
Lens | Nikkor 16-35 f/4 |
Settings | ISO 64, 24 mm, f/11, 3 seconds |
Type | Single shot |
HDR | Additional exposures for highlights |
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Anshar Photography
http://www.ansharphoto.com
Amazing
Nice shoot @ansharphoto
very exotic
The lighting is gorgeous on this photo! Thank you for including information on the Quiver forest. The trees look very regal presiding over the desert, silently watching the changing world.
Wonderful
nature is everywhere beautiful
Nice shot
Wonderful picture and it reflecting as these trees are hiding great stories. I want to give this picture a name as "The Praying Plant", thanks for sharing.
Have a great day and stay blessed.
This shot is awesome. Those trees are almost alien. Looks a little like Joshua tree national park.
Great post, I had never heard of a quiver tree, the landscape reminded me of an old TV series that was called Lost in Space.
There is a lot of beauty in Namibia such as sand dunes and Sossusvlei is one of them, featuring stunning sand dunes. Sossusvlei is a desert of salt and clay. surrounded by tall red sand dunes, located in the southern part of the Namibia Desert. From Centuries of sand built around the place of a dry lake makes a magnificent view and is one of the most beautiful sand dunes in the world.
There really is something magical about Namibia. I remeber seeing a photo from National Geographic magazine about 10 years ago of the Camel Thorn trees there. The picture was taken at sunrise and somehow, because of how the light hit that unique area, the trees, the landscape, and sky all looked like some kind of painting. Like they weren't real. Once again, the only word I can think to describe it is simply magical.
Here's the photo which, remarkably, was not altered in any way. Also a link to the National Geographic webpage: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/2011/5/camel-thorn-trees-namibia/
@kangarooninja These photos of dead trees were taken in place called Deadvlei. I've benn there and took photos for 3 days in row :) I believe these Acacia trees btw.
I will post my photos from Deadvlei shortly - stay tuned :)
Yeah, definitely. I look forward to seeing them.
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