Creatures of the Fanal

The Macaronesian Islands in the Atlantic Ocean are home to Europe’s last surviving laurisilva or laurel forests. These subtropical forests are found in areas with high humidity but temperate climate, often at altitude. The trees are evergreen with glossy leaves and gnarly, twisted skeletons. The Fanal Forest in Madeira is one of the most famous of these cloud forests and is set to become even more so after being used as a set for a Star Wars film. When the fog rolls in, there is a transformation and the Creatures of the Fanal appear. These photographs are from a monograph series called “Square Trees”.

I. Little Bird

II. The Seahorse

III. The Ent

IV. The Mantis

V. The Supplicant

VI. The Cobra

VII. Big Bird