the temple cypress

A natural but uncommon condition of the bald cypress is a hollow  trunk during old age.  Based on my ongoing fascination with big trees and their character,  a big hollow cypress takes on a spiritual nature.  I am drawn to it.

This is a cypress tree on Juniper Creek that I have visited several times a year for many years.
You can climb inside it but is more of an adventure than a relaxing or reflective experience.

Another tree I know well is on the Ocklawaha River at the entry passage to dead river and cedar creek (if you know where I mean).  This tree is like several I knew as a kid,  the knees all around make for a magical hobbit-like setting of a grandmother cypress.  It makes me feel like a large gnome.

A few days ago I took a hike to visit the biggest temple cypress just before the new year.  Just to visit.  It's so big  4  people could fit in this room.   I would like to take some people to see it.

Funny thing happened on my hike for the new year -  I found another hollowed-out cypress nearby.  I can't help but take the discovery of  new tree as a sign for the new year.

These special parts of the natural  have become the theme of this blog that I wondered  about when I started it.  I suspected that I might write about any number of topics.   The wonders of our nearby everyday natural world have ended up as the theme of the blog in a semi-unintentional way.     How can you not respect and revere the beauty that is created solely by the creator.   It holds my intention.   If you ask me I will gladly bring you to this place.