The lone tree of Malham, a solitary silhouette against a dramatic sunset sky. Its bare branches reach out over a vast expanse of limestone pavement.

The Loner

The lone tree near Malham is an iconic image, one that any landscape photographer worth their salt dreams of capturing. My first attempt was a comedy of errors. Imagine my dismay when I realised, after camping overnight, that I’d left my tripod behind! It was a lesson learned the hard way.

This time, I came prepared. Not just with one, but two tripods – one in my bag, one in the car, just in case. As the sun began to rise, painting the sky with vibrant hues, I framed the solitary tree against the dramatic backdrop. The limestone pavement, weathered by time, added a sense of history and resilience to the scene. It was a moment of redemption, a testament to the importance of preparation and learning from past mistakes. And the photo? Well, it was worth the wait.