On a crystalline autumn day in California’s White Mountains, we were entralled by the sight of ancient Bristlecone Pines, some nearly 5,000 years old. After photographing them in morning hoar frost and autumn sun and among remnant snowfields, I picked out this Bristlecone root system to return to that night.

It was cold at the 9,000+ foot elevation where this tree had toppled, perhaps hundred of years ago, but we were dressed for the cold. I set up the camera on a tripod and directed Karen to “paint” the stump with her headlamp during exposures ranging from about 2 seconds up to 40 seconds. I wanted the exposure to be brief enough that the stars would render as dots rather than streaks, yet it had to be long enough to trace all the roots with the light. This was my favorite of over 40 exposures, and I think it well represents the timeless character of the Bristlecone Pine forest.

LIMITED EDITION: This photographic print is part of a limited edition produced by photographer Lee Rentz. The edition consists of 250 prints, which includes all sizes and methods of printing.