Wood in all its forms – July 2025 photography contest

Yeah, I agree with you—it wasn’t on theme. I posted it for a "laugh," just to share an animal pic. I really didn’t think people would vote for it 😅

Antlers *are* bone! So you could say your photo wasn’t on theme. But the name’s misleading, which explains the mix-up. On the other hand, Catherine never said she didn’t want antler pics , and she didn’t reject yours :P

Tomorrow, I’ll post August’s theme…

Hope the current gloom doesn’t discourage you. The forum’s slow comeback and summer lull aren’t exactly motivating…

Hello,

I think this is exactly the photo you're talking about.

Yep, that’s the one!

Indeed, I agree with you, it’s not on theme.

Exactly! Tell me, I’m no wildlife expert, but—am I to understand that deer now belong to the plant kingdom?

A new concept: the tree-deer? 😎 (see below)

Was the flute even relevant to the topic? 😛

I posted it for a laugh,

Yeah, the main thing is to have a good laugh these days! 😉

A new concept, the stag-tree?

In reality, the concept is ancient.

The stag-tree, according to Copilot (excerpts)

Legend, symbol, and imagination The stag-tree, a strange and captivating creature, holds a unique place in the collective imagination. At the crossroads between the majesty of the animal world and the vitality of the plant kingdom, it fascinates as much by its mysterious origins as by the multiple interpretations it inspires. Is it an ancient myth from deep forests, a symbol of resilience and transformation, or a contemporary invention that questions our connection to nature?

Origins and foundational myths

The stag, in many cultures, embodies nobility, grace, and a connection to the forest. It is seen as a messenger between the human world and that of spirits (...) The tree, meanwhile, symbolizes permanence, growth, and renewal. It roots itself in the earth while stretching its branches toward the sky, linking the underground, terrestrial, and celestial worlds. The idea of the stag-tree likely arises from the superimposition of these two figures, each carrying powerful meanings. Some ancient legends tell of stags whose antlers, as they grow, transform into branches covered with leaves or flowers. In other tales, the stag stops, motionless, then its body merges with the trunk of an oak or birch, becoming an integral part of the forest. (...)

Symbolism and interpretations

The stag-tree embodies strong symbols. It evokes transformation, the ability to survive trials and emerge stronger. Its "antler-leaves," the result of constant metamorphosis, recall the stag’s annual shedding of antlers, as well as the cycle of seasons and the rebirth of nature. (...) In shamanic tradition, the stag-tree is sometimes associated with journeys between worlds. Shamans draw inspiration from its hybrid silhouette to meditate on the passage of time, the growth of the soul, and communication with invisible forces. It is not uncommon for the stag-tree to appear in dreams as a guide, inviting harmony between the life force and ancestral wisdom.

Echoes in art and literature

From the Middle Ages to today, the figure of the stag-tree has inspired artists, poets, and storytellers. In medieval illuminations, one sometimes finds stags with coats covered in floral patterns or antlers that blossom into golden leafy bouquets. (...) In contemporary literature, the stag-tree often symbolizes resistance to the destruction of the natural world. (...) Some works of fantasy, comics, or cinema have revisited this iconography, giving the stag-tree magical powers or placing it at the heart of initiatory adventures. (...)

Regional legends and popular variations

Depending on the region, the stag-tree takes different forms: in Brittany, people sometimes speak of the "stag of the springs," whose antlers drip pure water that heals ailments. In the Jura mountains, a legend tells of a thousand-year-old stag, whose beating heart roots itself at the center of a sacred clearing, and whose antler-branches shelter a flock of singing birds. (...)

but do I understand

But should I understand... Grrrr!

Congrats Isabelle! 🙂

Making the most of every opportunity—this month’s expression?😛

Thanks Agnès, The theme for August is here