Second Place First

I photograph a lot of trees. That makes me sort of a tree connoisseur. So, when asked, “John, what is your favorite tree?” I usually have to answer in parts because no, one tree has it all. For example: The best forest tree? The giant redwood. The best fall color tree? Easy, any maple. The best abstract tree? California oaks. The best desert tree? Ever been to Joshua Tree National Park? Best leaf? Ginko. And so on. But none of those are my favorite tree. My favorite tree to photograph has plenty of second places but no first places. It dresses appropriately for any season, has leaves that shimmer and tickle your ear when a storm approaches, would make Jackson Pollock blush, loves black and white photography, and its leaves are the very definition of yellow for a month out of the year. To that, I must give my first place title of favorite tree, to the Aspen.