This week is perhaps the first one in which winter trees came into their own here in North Yorkshire. Recent high winds have snatched the very last scraggy leaves from their boughs, and now their austere skeletons are revealed in all their – often handsome – characterfulness. Here’s a small selection for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. The header image, taken in Horniman Gardens, Forest Hill is not a true monochrome, but I’ve left it just as it is, to remind us that winter days – in London especially – can be black and white indeed. It’s the only image here not from North Yorkshire, or as we might call it today, The Frozen North.







Why the long face? Winter’s not ALL bad.

Love the long face, Margaret! Snow, or just bitter cold? Wrap up warm!
LikeLiked by 3 people
No snow here Jo – yet. But bah gum it’s c-o-l-d.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Crisp, bright and frosty down here. No snow and still a fair few golden leaves on the trees. Stay warm and safe up there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bah gum, it’s right chilly here today. But bright and sunny too. Mustn’t grumble. Though I expect we will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wasn’t grumbling on 20th when you shared this beautiful gallery but I am today!!
LikeLike
Me too, Becky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
what have you got – I have got scary gusts of winds and heavy rain every now and again
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. Fun, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are all lovely shots but most especially the “sad face” one. Glad you will be hosting next week’s challenge. Will have to search something for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Teresa, especially for the vote of confidence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some lovely sculptural shapes here – a bit of consolation for the loss of leaves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so. The trees had been looking tatty for a week or two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you James.
LikeLike
Lovely photos – bare trees are always patient subjects. It has been a mild fall so far here, but that’s going to change tomorrow. Have lots of leaves to bag, but making headway. The trees are almost bare. Time waits for no one. Stay warm and be fueled by the thought that spring is one day closer each day. Peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for that positive thought as Winter tightens its grasp. And …. keep sweeping!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous gallery
LikeLike
Thanks Sheree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleasure Margaret
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a wonderful display of arboreal splendour!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Sue thanks. Waxing poetic today?
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘appen I am!
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent collection.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Andrew.
LikeLike
I love these images… so atmospheric, almost Gothic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s winter trees for you! Thanks, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why the long face? Because it is so marvellously characterful. Beautiful one and all!
LikeLike
Ah thanks Peter. But characters like That Tree certainly add charm to their little patch of woodland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous series! The leafless trees are great, especially that panoramic photo. Superb!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah Egidio, thanks so much. I love the stark simplicity of those skeletal trees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bare trees are a fantastic subject for monochrome photography as you have demonstrated! And I love the ‘long face’ 😀 Bitterly cold down south too if that’s any consolation?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not really. I don’t wish ill for Southern Softies! Mr Long Face is great, isn’t he?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not warm here either! I was going to join in but noticed I did monochrome trees back in July and mine were definitely winter trees. I’m very fond of bare trees, wonderful structure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am too. In fact trees can deliver in any season at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely collection. my favourite is the one where two trees almost mirror each other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m particularly fond of those two trees. I have quite a few shots of them posing. Thanks Anabel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely pics. They tell me it’s snowing up there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe it is in some parts. Not here.
LikeLike
Beautiful monochromes. Love the zig zagged branches against the sky. The grumpy tree reminds me of the Wizard of Oz forest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point! I hadn’t thought of that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find that deciduous trees are the most beautiful in winter. When I lived in Northern Manitoba I used to wait for the frost to cover the trees. The branches would sparkle in the sunlight (which was only a few hours in our northern day). Your post reminded me of this quote, although the snow has not yet arrived at your place.
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
LikeLike
A lovely quote! We can certainly do frost sparkling on the trees, but just here, no snow yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love photos of trees and tend to take a lot myself – your collection is spectacular!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. You must show us some of your images too. You haven’t been around on the blogosphere much lately. Or have I missed something?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right, it has been quiet over on my blog. Hopefully, I will be back in December.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooray!
LikeLike
Remarkable photos, Margaret! Love these mono versions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy. Winter trees already are pretty monochrome, aren’t they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The winter trees are great in monochrome Margaret, they look fantastic. All our trees that lose their leaves for winter have them all back now.
LikeLike
What great trees Margaret, especially the last. I love trees because they are so expressive and open for interpretation. It’s cold and wet in California right now. They are predicting a bomb cyclone that has almost hurricane force winds. I hope our trees stay strong. Sacramento County lost a lot of trees in the last bomb cyclone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Anne. Trees worldwide are having a tough time these days. Thank goodness for the resilience and fortitude of so many of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, very black and white in the frozen north. Love that tree face! I’m all wrapped up now too!
LikeLike
Jolly good! It’s right parky tonight. I’ve got quite a lot of tree face photos. All local. Very odd, really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of characters nearby then! Keep warm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also love the face! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Cheeky tree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The frozen north is most photogenic. The bare trees are great in monochrome and I particularly like the “near Masham” shot. Landscapes in monochrome can be challenging I find, so its nice to see your effective photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Winter trees fit the bill beautifully I find. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reflection on winter trees! It is interesting that the winds have stripped the last leaves, revealing the trees’ striking, skeleton-like beauty. I agree that winter days can indeed feel like a monochrome scene, especially in places like London, with their simple yet powerful contrasts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment. Yes. I visit London often, having family there, and it can do monochrome quite well, can’t it?
LikeLike
I love these beautiful winter tree photos in black and white!
LikeLike
Thanks Amy. It’s a lovely time of year when it’s bright and crisp too.
LikeLike