"Because they are primeval, because they outlive us, because they are fixed, trees seem to emanate a sense of permanence. And though rooted in earth, they seem to touch the sky. For these reasons it is natural to feel we might learn wisdom from them, to haunt about them with the idea that if we could only read their silent riddle rightly we should learn some secret vital to our own lives; or even, more specifically, some secret vital to our real, our lasting and spiritual existence." ~ Kim Taplin

This Big-tooth Maple against a rising sun was photographed during Autumn at Horton Creek, in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, near Payson. After arriving in the early morning and spending my day surrounded by these glorious trees, I indeed wondered if there was some secret wisdom I could gain about our lasting and spiritual existence, by spending so much time in their presence. While the riddle still alludes me, I have a sense that the answer involves time, and is revealed about one minute after my giving up and leaving.