This week’s challenge, asks us to share pictures that mean “growth” to us.
I have chosen firstly this one of a giant Banyan tree at the Turtle Creek Resort in Oahu. I was absolutely awestruck when we came upon it on our walk through the forest. It was the first time I’d seen a Banyan. It makes me look like a little dwarf, or maybe I should be more p.c., and say that I look vertically challenged? π It’s hard to believe that this tree grew to such an enormous size from one tiny seed.
Just look at this cute baby rhino following along behind his mama at the Lion and Rhino Park in Johannesburg. It’s hard to believe that after a few growth spurts, this miniature will one day weigh as much as 1.5 tons.
So we’ve had a plant and an animal, and now I think I’ll give you different sort of growth miracle.
The Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona, the brainchild of Antoni Gaudi, was started 1882. He was unfortunately killed by a tram in 1926, so this magnificent structure has taken 130 years to finish. It’s amazing to think that something so unique and magnificent grew out of one man’s ideas and artistic genius, and that, as with all buildings, it started with that first shovelful of soil. As you can see from my photos taken in 2004, it was still in the growth phase.
Thinking about it, everything does grow from seed. The Banyan tree, and the mighty rhino start out as tiny seeds. Magnificent architecture, as with all art, starts out as a seed of brilliance in the mind of the creator. That 14th century proverb which says, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow,” is so very true.
These photos are fabulous … love the rhino’s. The baby is cute.
Thanks so much for your comment, like,and follow, Isadora. π
Love the concept of growth from a seed π That banyan is awesome!
Thanks so much, Madhu. π
Those banyan trees are amazing. The Gaudi Cathedral and the rhino photos are great for growth, too.
Thanks so much, Jane. π
The Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona ..wow π
Isn’t it just gorgeous? I could have looked it it forever. π
That tree is FAB-U-LOUS! Nature is so incredible.
The Banyan Tree reminds me of the tree of life. Such an amazing work of nature. beautiful and grand images that celebrates the gift of growth. Have a great day!
Wonderful pics, AD!! Excellent selections for this challenge!
Thanks, ppd. π
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the tree looks good to me. maybe it will ensnare the horrible people who try to nick the rhino’s horn when (s)he’s bigger?
That would be splendid. π
exactly! revenge of the life sucking tree
love the baby rhino π
Me too. π
Lovely entry!
Thanks, Nicole. π
That tree is amazing!!!
It’s a real Granddaddy of a tree, isn’t it? π
Great photos! Especially like the rhinos!
Thanks so much; me too. π
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Thanks for the pingback, Jacqueline. π
lovely again!
Thanks so much, Tina. π
As my wise old grandmother used to say, “Planting a seed is faith in tomorrow.”
Do you know of “La Sagrada Familia” by The Alan Parsons Project? It’s from their 1987 albume “Gaudi.” Here’s a link to it on YouTube: http://youtu.be/MWJ6G7Sr4-0
Your grandmother was indeed very wise, Russel. Thanks for the video link. Beautiful! π
Gaudi has been optimistic …
He certainly was. Such a pity he couldn’t live to see it in all its glory.
I like the first one, never saw this kind of tree before…
Thanks, it was my first time too. π
Love and fascinated by the cathedral especially. Great choices of growth. Hope you are having a great day…x
Thanks, cocoa. I’ve had a splendid weekend. π
I love your choices for the challenge… That first one, the Banyan tree, is simply amazing and the rest are great too. The Gaudi Cathedral remains one of the wonders of the world… π
Happy weekend!
Eliz
Thanks so much, Eliz. Hope you’ve had a very happy weekend too. π
Yes and hope same for you! π TY
Nice one AD.
Thanks, footsy. π
Hi AD, amazing that there must be nearly a hundred years between the construction of the two ends of Gaudi’s cathedral shown in your 2 pics π
Yes, that’s right. I wonder how many people worked on it. π
I wonder when Antoni Gaud’s mother held the tiny acorn (him) in her arms for the first time, could she ever imaging the great oak that he would design for Barcelona?
I’m sure she didn’t, but she would have been so proud of him. π
my favourite has got to he the rhinos – what a lovely moment
Yes, they’re so precious, aren’t they? π
The last quote was our school motto π
A good motto for a school, Tandy. Ours was “Nil mortalibus ardui est.” π
Wow, I haven’t ever seen a Banyan Tree. and it’s so huge. :))
I love the architectural designs of those cathedrals in Barcelona. Medieval.
Great post!
Thanks so much, IndiGo. Yes, that cathedral is, like all Gaudi’s work, very different.
great images – I love the rhinos
Thanks so much, Jo. π
Beautiful post for the theme Growth my friend ,Thanks for sharing π
You’re welcome, Jake. Thanks for the visit. π
great post! love all the interpretations you presented! the tree is really stunning!
Thanks, Marina. π
Great choices for the theme (as usual)! You definitely have a knack. Thanks, too, for the Banyan tree. I had heard of them, but hadn’t ever seen one. Amazing stuff mother nature does.
Thanks so much, Gunta. Glad you enjoyed. π
Wow….
The DC
Hi there, DC. Thanks. π
YW,and…just…wow…LOL!
Hi Ad. Fabulous photos.TFS. Lovely take on the challenge theme.
Regards Florence x
Thanks so much to you, FLorence. π x
I was amazed at those trees as well when we were in Hawaii
I’d never seen one before, and the sight of it just ‘blew me away’. π
The tree is breathtaking! It looks like a whole lot of trees planted close together, nature is unbelievable π
Isn’t it just? I think another name for it is “the Strangler Fig.” Sounds quite violent, doesn’t it? π
The giant tree, rhino, and the Cathedral made such a wonderful selection for this theme!
Thanks, Amy. π
This is a good entry… defining growth in such pertinent ways .. I’m impressed in your thought process… wonderful… love the pictures too…. the Cathedral is very impressive… do you think they had detailed plans in those days? Amazing…
Thanks so much for your lovely comment again. I wonder if they did. There’s been quite a lot of controversy over whether the finished structure is exactly what Gaudi intended. π
Great growth examples – nice post! π
Thanks so much. π
A nice selection of different types of growth.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks, Francine. π
You are growing very good at these challenges!
Hahaha, Col. π Thanks very much.