mdvaden

It's not a counterpoint ... it's more a fact, and points to reality. People buy roundup or monsanto products because they want them, or pay for services that use them. It's very similar to how old growth forests were wiped-out not because of loggers, but because tens of thousands wanted the wood or products from the wood. So to avoid the complexity you seemed to insert ... it's easy to deal with simpler matters. If environmentalists don't want old growth trees cut, then simple logic means they won't buy products that accelerate that type of cutting. If they want organic gardens or just landscaping without roundup, then obviously they should hand-weed or other alternatives. If they are being logical, consistent and honest, then they should not buy cars or drive them, because of all the toxins and pollutants caused by manufacture, etc.. On the other hand, if they have no problem making the exception to use products of one kind that trigger some contamination, then they should go easy on companies like monsanto and users of those products. There's nothing wrong with people having an opinion about products they like or dislike. It's just that there are so few who are consistent about what they say, do, purchase, etc.. There are so many people who try to demonize certain products, but use other pollutant causing things that they treat as if angelic.

The autos environmentalists drive are related to scores of pollutants and residual chemicals to make every component of the cars they drive. If the screamers about Monsanto were truly honest, they would all walk. The fact that so many won't pry their fingers from their cars, means their heads may be a long way up their dark bohunkas

It's an okay idea, as long as people supporting that idea are equally glad to accept soaring labor needs and cost rises that would go hand in hand with it. Unless they have acceptable alternatives that can completely replace it.

Definitely a place I like to be. Here's something a lot different from other photos I've done. A lot of forest is compressed into this sunny winter day silhouette. Almost needs a poster size image for the details to really show. A redwood "El Viejo Del Norte"

Added 12 new "Mystery" redwood pages the past few weeks. A change from other years where virtually every redwood was named. The menu now has a new subheading for it.

My photo of the opposite side suggests there was a gaping wound and weakness on that side too. May add it to my drive through page, but the one side's historic photos get the point across. I think very little structural strength was actually cut in the 1800s. Drive Through Redwoods. Drive Thru Redwood. Avenue of the Giants and Klamath. Leggett. It's doubtful we'll see more of these made anymore. But some land is privately owned.

I have several photos that enlarge big enough to see that there had to be a cavity in it before they cut some away for the tunnel people see. It's evident by the natural looking curves and shapes of aged wood within that has a much different look from chainsaw or ax work. Plus black charred remnants from old fires. Now that I look closely, it's doubtful the extra cutting altered its strength much. It may be a note worth adding to my drive through coast redwoods page: Drive Through Redwoods. Drive Thru Redwood. Avenue of the Giants and Klamath. Leggett. I added a comment about the giant sequoia in relation to a Shrine Tree that looks hazardous.

Presently I am making a move to photography work, but it's more of a transition. I like tree care and pruning so much that I don't want to make a complete change. My ideal work work would be one that is 50/50 or at least 3 days photography and 2 days pruning. I enjoy the work as well as the exercise. But I've also done it long enough to provide a benefit to the community, and that's worth considering.

It snowed lightly in the northern Coast Redwoods for several days. 1 hour to the east, Cave Junction got about 16 inches of snow.

Some Avenue of the Giants. My belated holiday post. Christmas 2016 moves into the past here in about 3 hours from now.

Without some bright clothing, it's near impossible to show comparison.

Here's something from northern Humboldt added to my album this week. Brightened the cap to enhance comparison between human and redwood. This is about 12 meters across from side to side.

None ... anymore Used to use hedge shears. But now Echo has vanished from my power tool collection altogether.

Someday, if time allows, I'd enjoy stopping by Ft. Bragg to see a lot more of his photo collection which apparently goes back decades. Only a fraction ever makes it into books. Cheers, MDV

One more with author G. F. Beranek and his wife Terri, on a steep slope.

In the next few months, I may travel farther south than usual, but good chance it will be straight down I-5 toward the giant sequoia trees.

The photos remind me a lot of the old Kalaloch western redcedar near the Washington Olympic National Park, before it split in half during a recent storm. Also very irregular and gnarly.

BTW ... If anybody has been through Muir Woods, feel free to add some of your photos too. Preferably as attachments. Although Muir Woods redwoods are shorter and the acreage much smaller, it's still well maintained an en route between San Francisco and places like Avenue of the Giants.

One more of the same Smith River, but farther upstream, a couple days later.

Thank you. The wet season arrived ... the coast redwood forest and rivers are especially beautiful now. Another photo of the Smith River, just upstream of a Hamlet called "Hiouchi", near Jedediah Smith redwoods.

The first guy in the article the OP linked to, had too refined a hair style on the top of his head for a lumber look, although the beard was in bounds. This climber from southern Oregon looks a bit more authentic obviously with the gear. Although the beard is shorter. Apparently it takes the longer beard to counterfeit the trade without essentially having the skills or tools. So the "lumbersexual" style would definitely need a minimum beard length to stand on its own two feet. Maybe a barber's or hairstylist's handbook includes minimum specs.

Just went back to the redwood coast to take some high school senior photos for a girl near Crescent City. Here's one of the extra photos taken in my extra spare time. Short distance east of Jedediah Smith redwoods along Hy. 199. Waterfall feeding-into the Smith River.

Actually, I think he may be contemplating his next book about Jedediah Smith redwood park. He is putting some final touches on the book.

Gerald Beranek, enjoying upper Fern Falls in Jedediah Smith redwood park

Fern Falls in Jedediah Smith redwood park.