08/17/2026
Embracing the Milky Way
An ancient bristlecone pine spindles skyward in a seeming dance with the Milky Way atop a 10,000-foot ridge in the White Mountains of California. Known as The Sentinel, this tree actually died around 500 years ago, some 3,000 years after it first sprouted. Bristlecone pines are the oldest living organisms on earth. This tree is located in the same grove as the Methuselah Tree, which at 4,857 years old, is the oldest living thing on the planet.
For more on my visit to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, read my article The Buddhist in Me.
Embracing the Milky Way presents a dramatically gnarled bristlecone silhouette set against a sweeping band of the Milky Way. Dense stars and subtle nebular color form deep spatial layers, while twisted branches direct the eye upward, suggesting a quiet link between earth and sky. The contrast of dark silhouette and luminous cosmos creates a contemplative, tranquil mood. A strong, serene focal piece for a living room, study, entryway, or one's favorite meditative space.
Embracing the Milky Way pairs with Sentinel Sunset.
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