It’s that time of year when there are more leaves on the ground than on the trees and I am reminded how fascinating tree branches are to look at once they have dropped their leafy cloaks. I find myself anthropomorphizing unsuspecting groups of trees as I pass by – there are two gnarly sycamores in my neighbourhood that bear an uncanny resemblance to two drunks coming out of the pub at closing time. So this week I went looking through my travel shots for branch-bearing photos, starting off with this shot of Dublin’s Spire flanked by some wintry branches.

The ornate branches of the First Tree sculpture, one of the Witness Trees in Ballard, Seattle.

The graceful branches of a tree are an unexpected surprise in the middle of a deserted caravanserai courtyard on the road from Cappadocia.

A baby spider monkey crouches in the crook of a branch high above the pyramids of Tikal in Guatemala.

Downed branches in a New York park after an unexpected snowfall.

Squirrel on a branch looking slightly startled, high above Snug Harbor on Staten Island.

On the other side of winter, this flurry of cherry blossom and tree tulips is Seattle at its springtime best.

Are you ready to branch out with your own interpretation of this week’s theme? If you would like to join in (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

• Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Branches
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• Watch out for the next travel theme which will come out next weekend
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❤ Ailsa

Every branch of human knowledge, if traced up to its source and final principles, vanishes into mystery. – Arthur Machen

To read a paper book is another experience: you can do it on a ship, on the branch of a tree, on your bed, even if there is a blackout. – Umberto Eco