Description
When the morning light was gentle, and I was out boating along the River in Northern NSW I saw this beautiful Grey Mangrove Tree. Its gnarly bits and old growth, elegance and grace struck me. It is found within the ‘Solitary Islands Marine Park’ Sanctuary Zone on the Sandon River, where the waters look pristine.
When I work in the field, I develop a kinship with a particular tree. Each visit is a learning of the subject. The visits to this Tree were fun boating days, sunshine and turtles in the clear, cool waters. These feelings remain with me as I draw the Tree, and I embed these connections and experiences into the ‘Tree portraits’ I make. These old trees are often 200 years old or more.
They are precious beings.
Trees give us many gifts. The Tree roots stabilise the riverbank and filter and clean water run-off. The canopy provides shade and food for habitat and for fish too, supporting many aquatic organisms. The Trees cool the waters for us all to swim in. To top it off, Trees provide us with breathable air.
This tree is protected as habitat and what a joy and wonder to behold!
