The miracle of life

The miracle of life

This rocky microcosm is one of the most amazing natural sights I have ever seen showing just how hard nature perseveres to exist. Growing on this lump of granite in the edges of Loch Mallachie, in a wafer thin scattering of compost were a fir and a birch tree. Given the lack of ready nutrients, the competition with each other and the harsh climate these trees are at least 3-5 years old.
How can nature exist on so little? How can we need one or more houses, one or more cars, one or more TV’s, a myriad of gadgets, wardrobes full of clothes, a huge pile of food each day?
This rock really is a miracle of life.

Technical details

Nikon D2X with 12-24mm lens @ 12mm, 1.8s at f/16, ISO 100, 0.9ND soft grad over sky and ice, 0.6ND hard grad over sky

For more information on the making of this and the other photographs on my site please visit the Photography Tips and Articles pages

Location Information

Show image location on google map

For some reason you are not able to see the Google Map for the location of this image.

1 Comments

Dear Mike,

these pictures are just beautiful….This is such lovely work… i’m so glad I found this website…..Just what I needed….A complete reality check. The whole thing is brilliant, I’m very moved

Best wishes
Siobhain Moriarty

by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 16th June 2010

Leave a comment

* denotes required fields

All comments are moderated before posting live. Basic XHTML is allowed (a href, strong, em, code). Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Email addresses will never be published.

< back to previous page

RSS Feed

Grab the Gallery RSS feed

Other images from this collection

The Gallery Collections

Customer recommendations

Mike’s work is simply beautiful – he has given an entirely new creative dimension to some of our best-loved regional landscapes. He is a leading light in a wave of emerging creative talent for the region and we are extremely pleased to be able to be able to show his work in our boardroom.”, Managing director, Admiral PR & Marketing, Newcastle

Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers

Make it easy by giving the perfect present to your photographing friends, colleague or loved one. With many different course options as well as prints we offer fantastic choice and great value, making the perfect gift.

Online shopping details

phone iconSecure payment can be made with all credit and debit cards. Don't worry if you don't have a PayPal account, just follow the 'Don't have a PayPal account?' link on the left hand side of the PayPal checkout page. Alternatively, visit one of the galleries that exhibits Mike's work.

Postage and packing prices are given for UK only. For Europe and beyond please select the appropriate 'postage for outside UK' from the menu on the left. Delivery will normally be in 5-10 business days. You will receive a confirmation email after your order is received.

If you have any special requests or questions please get in touch.

Returns Policy

For Mike's returns policy please see the Terms & Conditions.