I love natural materials and wood is one of my favourites. When Cee asked us to focus on wood for her Black and White Photo Challenge this week, I knew this was a perfect challenge for me. Wood is such a natural part of my life and I find it is an amazing and beautiful material. Let me share with you some of the ways I enjoy wood in my life.
The entire lifespan of wood, from tree seed to decayed wood, is a story of life-giving processes and for me these processes provide endless inspiration. The sprouting acorn I used to open my post is for me a symbol of the birth of something new, perhaps a new project or venture that I want to nurture and grow to achieve its aims.

We live surrounded by woods and walk there often, so we experience all of the natural world’s seasonal variations that woodland has to offer. One of the many pleasures of a woodland wander is wending our way homeward along the old railway with the afternoon sun of early Autumn filtering through the trees, casting lengthening shadows across our path. The wooden bench at the edge of the track offers the opportunity to sit and take in the calming atmosphere of the wood.

The wilder weather of recent years has taken its toll on trees in many places, including here in our woods. This substantial limb from an oak tree has been ripped away by the wind and now lies on the edge of the horse field. Fallen timber provides an amazing habitat for a whole array of creatures. The process of wood decaying is helped very much on its way by the many mini-beasts that live on dead wood. The wood of the oak branch may be dead, but it is still teeming with life.

As well as walking in woods, we also enjoy working with wood. My son is shaping a tenon on one end of an ash pole as part of his pole lathe project last year.

When the pole lathe was completed, it was time to practice turning green wood. The candlesticks may not quite be a ‘pair’ in the traditional sense, but they did demonstrate a certain level of success and dexterity with the turning chisels. I love the way wood turning brings out the grain and other points of interest in the wood.

I was delighted to receive this hand carved spoon in cherry wood from my son as a Christmas present a couple of years ago. The carving has revealed the varying tones in the cherry wood. This wooden spoon has a special role in my utensil jar as my morning porridge-stirring spoon.

I laughed when I first loaded this image onto my computer. While I was out in the beechwood composing the shot, I never noticed the grinning monster. I only saw the sunlight picking out the rough textures in the decaying log that contrasted so well with the smooth fungi growing on the wood. I hope it makes you smile too.
If you too delight in wood, take a look at Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge this week for more inspiring wood images.
J Peggy Taylor
The cherrywood spoon is lovely, and I also laughed at your Log Monster. 🙂
The spoon is lovely isn’t it and glad you found my Log Monster funny too 🙂
Wonderful photos. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations! I have selected this post to be featured on Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge. http://ceenphotography.com/2015/01/22/cees-black-white-photo-challenge-roadscapes/
I hope you are having a terrific week.
Oh Wow! Thank you so much for featuring my post, Cee! We love wood 🙂
I could tell in your post. You are welcome! 🙂
Superb!!! Peggy, I just fell in love with the last photograph! First I thought, first one is beautiful. But, as I scrolled down, I realised, it is tough to find our which one is the best… especially those candle holders and spoon! But, I made it, ‘the moster’ is just superb!
TC! Keep smiling 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comment, Sindhu 🙂 We love wood and I’m glad you enjoyed it too. The log monster is fun isn’t it 🙂
Yes, definitely the monster is fun to watch!
You have some great photos. I like the fallen tree with the wood fence in the background.
Thanks Cee – I liked that one too
Perfect Photography for this theme …Thanks for sharing my friend 🙂
Thank you – glad you enjoyed these images 🙂
Beautiful and knowledgeable prose fitting for the evocative images
Thank you, Derrick – wood is quite a big part of my life in various ways.