Melvin (Mel) Theobald
Everyone must have a favorite tree. There are several in Bloomington that have special meaning for me: the osage trees on the lane west of Anglers Pond, the catalpa tree that used to stand next to Oakland School. the largest ghinko tree in Illinois on Ridgewood Terrace, the copper beech tree at Elizabeth Stein's house, a tree fort behind Ron Runge's old house, and the white birches Dad planted in our front yard.
There are so many tree photos in my portfolio, it is painful to choose only a few. These are a mere handful, some of which are included in a series I call "Tree Portraits".
"Mackinaw Tree Portrait" This tree stands alone at a bend in the road in the middle of a cornfield.

"Walnut Grove in Danvers, Illinois" A well-manicured cluster of trees where Rt. 9 turns north.

"Grant Park at Rest, Chicago" Near Buckingham Fountain in front of Monroe Harbor.

"Harbor Tree" Taken at Belmont Harbor in Chicago under sodium vapor lights.

"Solomidino Trees" This majestic clump of trees stood in the middle of an open field in a small Russian village.

"Banyon Trees in Sarasota, Florida" Dozens of these trees fill the grounds of the Ringling House Museum.

|