TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: I almost got caught by a family with small children while taking these photos. I heard them coming up the path. Thankfully the you ng boy was very loud. They did see me running around the park with a robe, dress, tripod, and camera. I can only imagine what they must have been thinking. Im sure they had no idea what I was really doing.
The next morning I was doing a little shopping in the park supply store and the camp ground host asked if I was taking photos at the entrance. I smiled and said yes. He gave an acknowledging nod neither positive or negative and walked behind the counter. ***I was caught but not in trouble***
2022-07-22 07:04:14 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: The first photo is my favorite. I have a series of photos of me curled up in this position. Many times on a cut stump like a seed waiting to be planted.
Because these giant sequoias are so tall, they are often hit by lightning. The lightning sends shock waves of high intensity electricity and heat through the core of the tree causing these burn scars. Over time the bark of the tree covers the burn scar enclosing it into the center of the tree. Sometimes the lightning starts a fire, as was the case in October of 2021 when two large fires were started because of lightning https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/2021-fire-season-impacts-to-giant-sequoias.htm
What it creates is a beautiful black back drop for my white skin to be showcased against. I do have photos from the 2021 fires that I will share in later posts.
2022-07-23 22:38:31 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: Here is the video from the previous shoot. I posted the sign about the lightning strikes because you can really see the difference from when that sign was posted and how the tree looks now. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/2021-fire-season-impacts-to-giant-sequoias.htm
2022-07-24 07:05:45 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: When a giant sequoia falls, it leaves its root structure exposed. This beautiful and ghostly intertwining remains of its life-force create an alluring place for this little fairy to find resting spots.
The next set up photos will show the immense size of this tree.
2022-07-27 17:25:42 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: During a heavy rainstorm in the 1800s this giant sequoia fell because the streams running alongside it had eroded the soil surrounding the roots. With nothing to hold onto, the tree fell. It has been dead for over 200 years. It has not decomposed like the other dead conifers on the ground. Why? Giant sequoias contain a natural preservative called "tannin" which slows down the decomposition process, gives the tree its rich red color, heals fire scars, and other wounds caused by insects or animals. Scientists discovered a giant sequoia that had been buried in the earth for 10,000 years and had not decayed because of the tannin.
2022-07-28 07:05:56 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: Remember those roots from the post two days ago....this is the tree those roots are from. To the far right is the root structure. I know you will say the photo is from too far away. The point is to show you how massive this sequoia is and/or how tiny I am. Its a bit of a where's Athena.
The early settlers were thrilled to find the sequoias. They thought they could build several builders from one tree. But the wood was too soft. Instead of building homes they used the wood to make shingles for their roofs, fence posts and grape stakes. The sawyers used a two-man crosscut saw to cut down the trees. If a longer saw was needed they would solder two saws together.
2022-07-30 00:11:10 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: Its difficult to find me in the previous photos. But this video is much easier since Im in motion. Still difficult. This tree was cut in the 1800. And still has not decomposed.
2022-07-30 07:07:55 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: We hiked through an area that was ravaged by the October 2021 fire. It was a massive contrast from the thick ash on the ground and tall black trees with no branches and leaves to come upon this beautiful oasis. The rocks were tremendously slippery. Great care was taken to take these photos. I did have someone with me because we were in a dangerous area, but I still took these photos myself. Model and photographer.
2022-07-31 07:06:49 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: This is one of my favorite videos from all the shoots that weekend. It shows what great care I had to take to get to the place where the pose happened.
2022-08-01 07:05:28 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: This is one of the areas we had to hike through where all the trees were burned in the fire. I stand amongst these once tall and majestic giants as they take their last stand as blackened sticks. A bit of green is starting to show through. There is much healing left to do.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/2021-fire-season-impacts-to-giant-sequoias.htm
2022-08-02 07:04:01 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: To climb amongst the rubble left marks of black charcoal on my bright flesh. I found places to sit, but I could not rest in this place going through a time of great healing and rebirth. It will take many years for it to recover.
Fire helps giant sequoias in many ways. Small, green cones full of seeds awaiting germination grow near the crown of the trees, yet without fire or insects to crack open the cone, the seeds remain trapped inside. Green cones can live with viable seeds inside them for up to twenty years. Fire dries out the cones, enabling them to crack open and deposit their seeds on the forest floor. http://www.150.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27588
2022-08-03 07:03:54 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: Downstream from the waterfall is the beautiful calm stream. The flat rock provided me the perfect perch to rest upon. I enjoyed dipping my toes and fingers in the cold spring water.
2022-08-04 07:01:56 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: I have had a request that I put myself front and center in the photos. But the photos are not just about me. There are times when Im more of the photo then the scenery. But other times, like this particular shoot, the immense damage caused by the fire was important. The struggle that the forest is undergoing is important. If I only shoot myself on the rock, then you would not see these trees standing strong, fighting for life, and doing what they can to renew. The strength in this photos are the trees. I put my vulnerable body amongst them to highlight the larger picture of what is going on.
Often we live in our lives without noticing the struggles around us. Our struggles seem all consuming. But all of nature struggles. Its part of survival. We need to stand up to the challenges before us. Some are much more difficult then others. All of them make us stronger. Like this fire will ultimately make this forest stronger and the trees that survive and the seed that are germinated will create a healthy foundation for life to thrive.
2022-08-05 18:51:18 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: This was the video I was supposed to post today.
A beautiful and serene setting to rest upon a rock in the warm sun light with crisp waters flowing along side. Like a maiden who has escaped the clutches of the rules of her kingdom to find solitude downstream from a waterfall and away from watching eyes. A place of freedom to be herself. To be myself.
2022-08-05 23:45:12 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: This part of the park had fallen trees that were caught in the fire. As I climbed on the charred remains, the black charcoal left marks on my light skin. By the time I got back to camp, I looked like I had been in the woods for months. when it was only a couple of hours.
2022-08-08 14:59:23 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: Now you can see how difficult it was to keep clean during this shoot. It was futile as I climbed over these charred giant sequoias.
2022-08-09 07:02:30 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: The roots of a fallen giant sequoia look like a the Gates of Hell by Auguste Rodin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gates_of_Hell
Like angels and demons fighting for the souls of humanity.
2022-08-10 07:05:01 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: I could feel the years of life this root system gave to the tree for probably thousands of years. This root ball looked like angels and demons fighting for the souls of humanity. And I am the goddess of peace, inspiring hope for the future.
2022-08-11 07:04:20 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: It takes great strength to hold the weight of the world on your shoulders. Many of us do that every day as we take care of the responsibilities of family, work, and life. Or at least it feels that way. Like Atlas who was condemned to hold up the sky https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_(mythology)
2022-08-12 07:01:48 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: When I first discovered this location it was just past dawn. I thought the sunlight would be perfect but when I looked at the photos, I was completely washed out. So I had to come back the next morning, pre-dawn, to shoot this location. The previous post has the choice photos from this location.
2022-08-13 07:01:34 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: This is the root ball from the burnt tree trunk of the previous post. It is actually the root wad of two conjoined giant sequoias that fell Sept 20, 2011. The forest echoed with the sound of snap, crackle, and pop as the roots ripped out of the earth before the trees crashed to the ground. In 2010 the earth became saturated from heavy rains and a large snow pack. The trees likely fell due to soil erosion around the roots, weight, and a 20 degree lean to the southwest. Close ups in the next post.
2022-08-14 07:01:40 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: These trees are truly giants. Because of the fire the root wad of the two conjoined sequoias received a haunting patina of blacks and greys; the perfect backdrop for my gossamer skin.
2022-08-15 07:01:49 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: You can see that I shot this set of images from pretty far away. The vastness of the root wad of two conjoined giant sequoias was incredible. These behind the scenes videos give you the opportunity to see what I have to do in order to get the shots to you.
2022-08-16 07:00:59 +0000 UTC
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TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: A meadow of pure joy. A field to frolic in. Welcome to the Redwood Meadow.
There was a request for more walking videos. This is one of my favorites. I set up my 360 camera to take one of me walking around the camera. Im not sure how it will post on OF. This is an experiment. Hopefully you will be able to scroll around the video to see all 360 degrees. If this works, I have some 360 from Antarctica and a few other places that is really cool. If not, then I will have to stick to standard video formatting.
2022-08-17 17:00:39 +0000 UTC
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BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY: Sending you a warm holiday greeting from the top of Merkur Mountain. I have more photos to post in the next few days, but I wanted to get this greeting to you today. Thank you for following along on my adventures and supporting me through it all. Especially the emotionally difficult times. I love each and every one of you. Thank you for all your kind messages too. Happy Holidaze!
2022-12-24 08:22:37 +0000 UTC
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BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY: The top of Merkur Mountain was a brisk 27 F/ -2.7 C. I almost could not take off my clothes. But then once the sun hit my skin, I was able to spread my wings. Be in nature. Let the cold air wake up my skin and stimulate my soul.
The mountain is named after the Ancient Roman god of trade and commerce, Mercury, to whom a Roman votive stone on the summit is dedicated. The Merkurstein has been recorded since the 16th century. Today, there is a cast of the original votive stone on the summit plateau; its prototype is in the Baden-Baden Municipal Museum collection.[2] The original name of the free-standing conical mountain was the Großer Staufenberg, a reference to the shape of a turned drinking mug known as a Stauf. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur_(mountain)
2022-12-27 10:12:18 +0000 UTC
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MERKUR MOUNTAIN - BADEN BADEN, GERMANY: Everyone kept asking for a video of me taking off my clothes. I know you wanted some sexy undressing, but its so cold, then I needed to get the layers off in a way that I can get them on quickly again. As requested, here is a video of me taking off my clothes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur_(mountain)
2022-12-27 23:02:15 +0000 UTC
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MERKUR MOUNTAIN- BADEN BADEN, GERMANY: It was difficult to pose in that brisk cold. I did take more video this time. Trying to minimize the amount of time in the cold while maximizing the content I can share with you. I can go to a spa and jump from hot water to cold water and back again, but there is something very different about the feeling of ice cold air. It even started to snow while I was up there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur_(mountain)
2022-12-28 23:02:12 +0000 UTC
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MERKUR MOUNTAIN - BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY: Deep in the Black Forest of Southern Germany at the top of the highest peak in the area, I found some stumps and rocks to pose upon. I love the sound of the frozen leaves crunching under my footsteps. The first day of snow of the season was yesterday. And snow started to fall again today while I was on the mountain side.
2022-12-29 23:02:07 +0000 UTC
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MERKUR MOUNTAIN - BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY: The snow lay gently on the branches of the trees. As I brushed by them, the icy snow would fall no my skin.
2022-12-30 23:01:59 +0000 UTC
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