Abstract Southwest - Photos by John Villinski

I have long been interested in the effects of fire on the natural world. Fire will often reveal an underlying structure of the affected object. Fire also provides new habitats for other species. These properties are evident in the following images taken of burnt Giant Redwood trees, Sequoia sempervirens. The contrast between charred and unaffected wood, along with mosses and lichens that colonize the tree leads to fascinating forms. This detail picture was taken in May, 2005, on my drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. I was hiking in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove of the Redwood National and State Parks when I found this beauty. The face in this image is pretty obvious to me. I also like the blue highlights due to photographing in overcast conditions.