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The Serpentine

from $45.00

Before this trip, I had never heard of the "bobby socks trees," but others in my group who had been to Yellowstone before were excited to see them. Their story is a fascinating example of the park's living geology. These dead lodgepole pines stand in areas where the ground is saturated with hydrothermal water. The trees soak up this mineral-rich water, and when it evaporates, it leaves behind a white deposit of silica, a "bobby sock" that effectively suffocates the tree over time.

This photograph captures the strange, quiet beauty of that unique landscape. A dark, winding stream, the serpentine, cuts a path through the pure white snow, its banks caked in thick, crystalline frost from its own warmth. In the background, the famous bobby socks trees stand like pale sentinels, their white bases mirroring the snow, their dark trunks rising into the sky. It is a scene of stark contrasts and graceful, curving lines.

A signature piece from the "The Quiet Expanse" chapter of "The Frozen Kingdom" collection, this print is a black and white study of the intersection of water, minerals, and winter.

Material:
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Before this trip, I had never heard of the "bobby socks trees," but others in my group who had been to Yellowstone before were excited to see them. Their story is a fascinating example of the park's living geology. These dead lodgepole pines stand in areas where the ground is saturated with hydrothermal water. The trees soak up this mineral-rich water, and when it evaporates, it leaves behind a white deposit of silica, a "bobby sock" that effectively suffocates the tree over time.

This photograph captures the strange, quiet beauty of that unique landscape. A dark, winding stream, the serpentine, cuts a path through the pure white snow, its banks caked in thick, crystalline frost from its own warmth. In the background, the famous bobby socks trees stand like pale sentinels, their white bases mirroring the snow, their dark trunks rising into the sky. It is a scene of stark contrasts and graceful, curving lines.

A signature piece from the "The Quiet Expanse" chapter of "The Frozen Kingdom" collection, this print is a black and white study of the intersection of water, minerals, and winter.

Print & Medium

This is a high-contrast black and white landscape defined by its sweeping curves and the textural difference between the smooth, dark water and the bright, crystalline snow. To render this full tonal range, my premium paper choice is Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta Satin. This paper has a subtle, satin-lustre finish that will give the dark water a fluid, deep quality while preserving every sharp, delicate detail in the bright snow and frosted banks.

"The Serpentine" is offered in sizes up to 20x40 inches. Please contact me directly for custom sizes, framing, or other medium requests.

Need a Custom Size or Medium?

I am happy to provide a custom quote if you don't see the perfect option above. I work directly with a professional lab to offer a wide range of sizes, mediums (including gallery-style acrylic), and custom framing. Please use the form below to start a conversation.