The monkey puzzle trees, or Chilean pines, stood tall against a backdrop of late-autumn forest. Andrea hiked for hours to a ridge and waited for the perfect light, just after sunset, to capture this scene’s colours. The trunks gleamed like scattered pins on the landscape, the whole world clothed in the strange forest fabric.
Typically found in parts of Chile and Argentina, monkey puzzle trees sometimes live for more than 1,000 years. With their thick, protective bark and specially adapted buds, these trees are able to withstand milder forest fires. Yet they are now endangered, at risk from land clearance and larger fires as their habitat becomes hotter and drier.
Italy
Andrea has dedicated the last 15 years to exploring and telling the stories of our planet's ecosystems. Author of an autobiographical book, 30, he has a great passion for adventure and a nonconformist lifestyle, which often sees him on solitary and sometimes singular experiences in the wilderness. He has won awards in many prestigious international photography competitions.
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