Hug for a Bristlecone pine...

A recent post on a blog of the Forestry Dept that I turned up this morning states that when you see a Bristlecone pine tree in Nature - you will know it. Too true! How will you know it? By the fact that this oldest of living things on planet Earth has weathered storms, snow, ice, rain, heat, drought, sand storms, probably tornadoes and maybe a hurricane or two and still the bristlecone pine keeps on growing. Admittedly slowly, but it keeps on growing.
I had spied what I thought could be a bristlecone last night when I went into dispersed camping mode to answer the call of Nature. This morning I confirmed it is a Bristlecone cone. The botanical name, I think, is pinus longaeta which makes sense to me. Today, I through caution to the wind thanked my lucky stars for a digital camera - and went nuts recording this lone ROCKIE MNT. Bristlecone. I aimed the camera at it and I have numerous shots that I'm hoping to turn into something meaningful and educational.
What a marvelous, and deeply moving experience, to give the oldest living thing on this planet a meaningful hug (after a cautious look over my shoulder - just in case !)Read more