Peeling Bark (Arbutus tree)
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been mired in computer issues – focused on peeling back one layer after another of tiny details. Slowly, carefully, I’ve been working at restoring and rebuilding my system after my hard drive unexpectedly crashed earlier this month.
It’s been rather like looking through a long, narrow tunnel, hoping there might be light at the end, and not too far away.
Eye of the Arbutus
The good news is that although I still have a few issues to resolve, I’m almost there! And being able to step back a bit from the keyboard and monitor, I’m starting to see a somewhat more expansive view: more and more of the forest rather than just the intricate details of a single tree…
Arbutus Woods (Drumbeg Park, Gabriola Island)
and even occasional glimpses of the shoreline beyond!
Fall Morning, Drumbeg Park
Eye on Environment 
I like the way you threaded those photographs into the narration of your computer problems. In Texas we have Arbutus xalapensis, commonly called a madrone, whose bark peels like that in your first picture.
Thanks for the comment, Steve. Interesting to hear you have a similar species in Texas. Our region’s trees are Arbutus menziesii, which in Oregon and California are commonly called madrone or madrona – but here in BC we call them “arbutus”. Its Latin name is in honour of the naturalist Archibald Menzies, who “discovered” it during Captain George Vancouver’s historic exploration of the Pacific Northwest coast back in the late 18th century.
Such a stunning landscape. Such exquisite detail!
Thank you for visiting & for your kind words, Marcie!
I’m a huge fan of metaphors in photography, and this post is a WONDERFUL example of that, Laurie! Really glad to see you back in the captain’s chair again here, Laurie, and thanks so much for sharing these really rich images here today!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Toad!
Glad to see through your eyes once again, Laurie, and I’m so glad your computer troubles are resolving…I’m loving your images, especially that last one.. I’m ooohing and ahhhing big time.
Thanks, Sherry – maybe eventually you’ll have to come out and see our part of the world! I would welcome that!
Welcome “back.” This is a very nice posting with photos. Thank you.
Thanks Mike – it’s nice to be back!