The Dark Hedges - Bob McCallion - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2007

2007: In Praise of Plants and Fungi - Highly Commended

Bob McCallion Enlarge image The Dark Hedges

Bob McCallion (United Kingdom)

The Dark Hedges

'It was a cold, misty February dawn, the right time to capture the spirit of this place, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. As the sun filtered through the mist, it bathed the trees in dappled light, giving the branches form and depth. The light changed so quickly, I only just had time to get the shot I wanted.' There are about 10 species of beech tree worldwide. European beech ranges across southern Scandinavia down to central Spain and Greece, and as far as western Russia. It is native to the UK, rather than being introduced. Beech is in the same family as the oak and chestnut, and although deciduous it retains its dead brown leaves throughout winter.

Fujifilm Finepix S9600 + 28-300mm lens at 300mm and 2x converter; 1/25 sec at f11; tripod.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.