Green Abyss

Builder Blufiji shows us what it looks like when "unsavory characters, refugees, and denizens who simply want to disappear" take up residence in a swamp, and it's awesome. You can practically hear the insects, smell the damp air and feel the oppressive humidity as you look at this large, lush diorama. And if I'm not mistaken, in the distance, that's a banjo being played...slowly.

Jungle Temple

I've never actually seen a pyramid, and to tell the truth I've never actually felt the need to. It's not that I don't appreciate ancient engineering, or have anything against the cultures that created them, it's because I'm from the central coast of California. This means I don't do hot, I don't do cold, and I don't do humidity. And it seems that everywhere pyramids are, that's what's around them. Just look at this marvelous jungle pyramid by builder MassEditor. You can practically hear the bugs, feel the sweat dripping down your back and smell the damp jungle air. I think I'll stick to The Jungle Cruise at Disneyland as a suitable substitute (then grab a Dole Whip, because it gets hot in Anaheim too).

The Golden Deer

This MOC by markus19840420 looks right out of a fairytale or adventure game. The tranquil setting, the lush landscaping, the ornate tree and the scene unfolding of a mysterious figure approaching a majestic stag. There's a story unfolding here, and it draws you in. I would love to see this under cinematic lighting, it would be wondrous I'm sure.

Bonsai

Can a MOC center you? I'd argue this one can. Ancient growing and pruning techniques meets skilled building techniques in this bonsai by Emil Lidé and the results are stunning. From a distance you'd swear it's just a little plant, but up close it's a marvel of construction. You really can't appreciate how this is built from these images, I encourage you to click through and check out the high res images.

Bonsai

Can a MOC bring tranquility? It can if it's one as brilliant as this bonsai by Grantmasters. The term NPU (nice part use) gets thrown around a lot, but I have to use it here. That trunk is gorgeous, and do you know what it is? Say hi to Groot.

Serenity

Conventions are hectic places. Meeting old and new friends, keeping an eye on the schedule, participating in events and trying to take it all in can get you stressed out in no time. So I stepped away for a few minutes to blog and found this. Can a MOC actually calm you down? This bonsai tree by Powerpig seems to have. Just looking at it made me smile and go "ahhh", and throttle back a bit., which is exactly what I needed.

Apple Tree

I always enjoy seeing what a really good builder can accomplish with standard parts and strait forward connections. This apple tree by retinence is build entirely studs up and with nothing more complicated than plate, bricks and slopes. It's likely a bit fragile, but you can say that about most brick-built trees. 

Deep In The Forest

This MOC by Mitah Val Karem depicts elves retrieving a secret cache of weapons in the middle of the forest. The cutaway sides revealing the action below is really cool, but what caught my eye was the tree. Mitah uses click hinges and barbs to great effect here.

The Source Of Eternal Life

Now wouldn't this be a fun little discovery while trekking through the woods? Minding your own business and suddenly there's a fountain of youth right there in front of you. This is a excellent example of creative lighting to truly make a MOC. Using LED lighting strips, markus19840420 under lit the water in this scene. That twisted trunk on the center tree is really cool too.

Training By The Brook

This excellent MOC depicts a young William Wallace training, but I'm more captivated by that babbling brook. I've never seen horn pieces used to simulate water texture, very cool effect. The tree is quite nice too.

Everard Lodge

This post has been days coming, as Flickr user Mark of Falworth has been slowly revealing this masterpiece. Now that it's complete, I can share, and you can gawk. Look at those colors, the terrain work, the waterfall, the trees, the lodge...good grief this thing's got a lot going on. And it's all gorgeous.