WOW! WOW! WOW! Different trees, but this makes me think of the Immanent Grove in Ursula K. LeGuin's Earthsea; it's the Forest that all trees come from and the oldest trees live there. The thing is, it's sometimes to the South of Roke, sometimes to the souteast...it's never really in the same place twice in a row, but everyone knows how to get there. The wisest trees live there: the Patterner and various other mages go there to meditate, to chit-chat, to listen to the trees and to relax. Other people go there, too. This made me think of that because these look like old, wise trees; they obviously enjoy cooling their feet in nice, relaxing water, and they also make me think of the trees described in the beginning of Clarise Lispector's brilliant (somewhat enigmatic) novel, Near to the Wild Heart. Clarise Lispector (also known in her day as "Hurricane Clarice") is one of those writers that the world should know more about. I fell in love with her writing when I read her tour-de-force entitled: The Passion According to G.H. A cockroach figures prominently...indeed, without giving too much away, the cockroach in question serves as a doorway of sorts...it's a threshold that must be crossed. How intriguingly cool is that? A cockroach is a doorway into Truth. Now, here's the thing...this comment actually does have something to do with this image. But this snapshot of an Immanent Grove has led to a cockroach that is a doorway, and maybe that cockroach is a doorway into the rest of this comment, since I had to go through Earthsea and G.H.'s maid's room in order to get there...and there happens to be exactly where this image exists. Anyway, after that long digression, this image makes me think of Earthsea, and the oldest trees in the world: trees whose roots go all the way to the center of the earth, and they bear something in common with the trees in the beginning of Near to the Wild Heart in that I can sense their leaves "...rubbing against one another, radiant." In short: this is an evocative piece of photographic work, so rich in mood and implications; it's poetic! What's not to like? And to top it off, it's a marvelous dedication for a marvelous birthday. And it's perfect! Really brilliant! And I love these trees and that water, and the life teeming in it! Perfect!

Oh, and now that I'm done rambling: Happy Birthday, Lucinda!! May this be the first of many!

It's wonderful !

Superb capture and dedication Tara. Happy birthday Lucinda. God bless.

I love the look of these trees, which we don't have here. Happy Birthday, Lucinda!

I can almost hear the silence. Super shot and location.

Yes, it looks so tranquil and these amazing trees reflecting in the water looks fantastic. Superb dedi for our friend. Happy Birthday Lucinda :-)

xlt swamp pic and dedi

Happy Birthday Lucinda Great image for Lucinda's birthday

I dont see the crocodile.... Beautiful dedicace , Tara! Have a nice day

I see Chip is his usual man of few words LOL. I do enjoy his comments. I like this Tara, it could be anywhere on the planet. HB to your friend.

Magistral view, Tara! Another impressive capture that ''grabbed'' all the mysteries of Nature. I can hear the 'sound of the silence'.. that is so different here, from others moments of silence!! I also love the way that the sky 'fell' into the water:) A Lovely place and a lovely dedication for Lucinda. Happy Birthday Lucinda:)) and tons of everything today and always:)))))

A beautiful swamp shot with such a strong vertical thrust - I could easily see this hanging in a photography gallery...

Excellent photography.

One word, primeval. This looks completely untouched by time. A nice gift. Happy birthday Lucinda.

Wow. WOW! What a perfect shot...this needs to be really big on a wall somewhere with strategically-placed spotlights...

I think Lucinda will have to say, you have captured the essence of this part of the world in all these pieces you've posted, and you did it beautifully in this. She lives there, of course, and sees it often; but you come along from the NW, and you dive into its magic (and spirits) like a native. I can't possibly top chip's comment, but bravo all the same. And I love Ana's thought about the sky falling into the water---yes! It's there as on a sheet of glass. I was there when I was a child, and everything I felt about these swamps and water-lands is captured in this. It's loaded with verticals too...big sweeps up and down, with all that dark shadow that snakes through these places in broad daylight...the magic of that area. Beautiful, Tara, and a perfect dedi to a terrific lady. Happy Birthday, Lucinda, and many, many more! You're deserving of it all!

"I come from the land of the foggy, foggy dew ooh-ooh-ooh! Ooh-ooh-ooh! Ooh-ooh-ooh! Where walking through the meadow in the morning is like walking through glue! The swamps of home are brushed with green and gold at break of day." (Marshall Barer) Marshall's Barer's song from "Once Upon a Mattress" came into my mind as I looked at your beautiful, and oh so swampy image. Swamps! They are a part of my mythological past. I never actually lived near a bonafide, honest to god, swamp. But after moving to New Jersey, I looked back with nostalgia (at the ripe old age of 12) to a place blended from memories and iconic images. Pelicans, tall pines, deep blue skies, and swamps. Swamps . . . They are nature at its most entrenched. Life abounds, but doesn't necessarily make a lot of noise about it. It just is. Deeply, intensely, and with a feeling of eternity that sinks into the soul. You have captured that so well here! There is an intensity that is deep and elemental. The tall, narrow lines of the trees, whose reflections plunge deeply into the still, marbled waters. I love the marbled surface, the lines reflected against blue, and the looped and interlaced branches in the foreground. Wonderful lighting and color ('brushed with green and gold') Thank you for this beautiful image from home. It struck many chords with me and set memories and fantasies off in a merry dance. I love seeing your images of Louisiana. You have captured her spirit superbly.

Honestly, I had not seen Mark's comment until after I posted mine (a comment on both the amount of time I take to get a comment out, and the odd way that comments and ebots arrive. I often get ebots 3 to 4 hours after something is posted.) "I think Lucinda will have to say, you have captured the essence of this part of the world in all these pieces you've posted, and you did it beautifully in this." How cool is that. But then you are so skilled at capturing essences/spirits. I'm very thrilled to see you do it in my home state of Louisiana.

I can almost hear the silence of this place, Tara! A delightful balance of beauty and mystery - swamps are always mysterious... A lovely capture!

A gorgeous place, but watch out for sneaky snakes.

I've never been to Louisiana, but this is exactly what I imagine it to be. The trees with their feet in the water, that's what this makes me think of. And yeah, snakes, eeek!! Happy Birthday, Lucinda!!

The reflection of the sky is amazing. :))) I have to agree with RodS comment. :)))))) Beautiful image my friend. :)))))) This is a very beautiful gift. :)))))) Most excellent in both details and capture. :))))) Thank you for sharing all of the beauty you see. :))))) Start each day with a smile. :))))

WHAT for a wonderful image! And great gift! So a look you do not all days. So wonderfully untouchable. It seems as though trees grant access only to certain people here. A piece of enchanted forest. He can be your luck or your downfall. (please not on Lucinda apply. Her I wish only the best!!!)

A lot has been said about this enchanting & serene image - and now I am lost for words to describe the mood of it, in words which haven't been said before - it's simply mesmerising and alluring - to sum it up ... Kudos to you Tara, and a very Happy Birthday Lucinda ! - there is no doubt she loves it. (sorry I am a bit late ...) BB

Leave me there in a hut, I'd live there.. Beautiful shot, lovely dedication. Rob

Yes, Lucinda will not even hear but also thrilled by your dedication of silence, so focused on her personality feelings. Even if she is not speechless by it, LOL!