LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY > NATURAL PATTERNS – TASMANIA > Snowgum Bark 2 (Mt. Field National Park)
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Snowgums are hardy, alpine eucalypts with vibrantly colored bark, usually orange, red, yellow, white and a range of ‘army’ greens and tans. Mt. Field National Park has quite a collection of snowgums, particularly near the ski fields. The snowgum in this photo lives in an untracked area within Mt. Field National Park.
Contrary to what one might suspect, the colors in this photograph, though digitally restored, have not been “Photoshopped”.
Photographer’s Reflection:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened…how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-8, 11)
I was searching for scoparia (a Tasmanian alpine flower) to photograph, and I was tipped off in a bushwalkers’ blog that a particular untracked area in Mt. Field National Park was a good place to look.
Armed with my compass and topographical map, I headed off track. To my great delight, I eventually found the scoparia I was searching for. After photographing it for awhile, I wanted to see what other natural treasures might lay deeper within this untracked region.
Quite serendipitously, I soon found myself walking among groves of beautifully painted snowgums. This photograph is just one of my wonderful discoveries!
My journey that day, filled with all of its pleasant surprises was a metaphor of my spiritual life in which I often search for and find hidden treasures in God’s Word, the Bible.
These treasures are the promises and truths of God which have dynamic power to impart spiritual life to all those who put their trust in them.
“The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:9-11)
The Word of God (the Bible) is precious because it is backed by the Almighty God, who is loving and faithful to keep all his promises. In over twenty years of personally knowing God, he has never once failed me. (To read the story of how I met God, please see “About The Artist and Photographer”.)
The Bible is my map; the Holy Spirit is my compass. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and in his promises and who store up God’s Word in their hearts like treasure.
“The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” (Psalm 145:13)
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your [God’s] law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times…Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.” (Psalm 119:18-20, 24)