The sense of time and history is very different in Switzerland (and much of the world) than in the US.  We think a 250 year old building in positively ancient.  I’ve been to Hugeunot Street in New Paltz, NY and marveled at the antiquity of these buildings dating from the 17th century Dutch settlers.  Strolling the streets of Zurich, you routinely encounter dates inscribed on the front of buildings to indicate when they were built.  Inscriptions from the 15th or 16th century are quite common.  The Grossmünster, one of the main churches in Zurich that was pivotal in the Reformation, was built in the 12th century.

We visited a monastery in Einsiedeln, Switzerland that has a long, interesting, and sacred history dating from the 9th century. It still serves today as a pilgrimage site, as well as religious and educational facility.  The church is impressive and quite unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the US (sorry, no photography is allowed inside) and the grounds are extensive and hold a sense of sacredness for all they have witnessed.

Today’s source image was taken on the grounds of  Einsiedeln Monastery.  There were several massive sycamore trees that were covered in moss and even grass growing between some of the branches.  I got close to the base of the tree and shot up towards the branches and the sky.  Most often with trees, I just shoot the branches against the sky and pay little attention to the trunk of the tree.   The different perspective made for some very three dimensional mandalas.

As you can see, I was having fun with this one.  At first, I thought I should eliminate a few to post here but couldn’t decide which ones should go.  So, a feast of Einsiedeln Sycamore mandalas for you! Enjoy and let me know which ones are your favorites.  Then I’ll share which ones are mine.