As far as I can tell the last fire raged through here back in the summer of 2005. The desert succulents survive the hot summers by retaining as much water as they can during the rainy season, so when the fires sweep through the water evaporates and the plant folds in half or simply collapses. The resulting eerie forms, usually with the dried foliage still intact, remind me of women weeping.
As we know Nature abhors a vacuum so new growth begins coming up from the bottom and will eventually replace the plant, probably using the minerals from the decaying parent to nourish the new baby.
Naturally, it wasn't only the Yuccas the succumbed to the raging flames. All the vegetation took a hit and so anyone who's interested in abstract photography there is plenty of subject material in this "empty" desert.
I'm linking this to Rambling Woods Nature Notes of the week. Click on the link to see more Nature Notes from around the globe.
10 comments:
They do look like they are crying. It is amazing how Mother Nature starts to fill in the gaps. I am reading a book on trees and it is so interesting..have a great week Barb...Michelle
It is interesting seeing the growth coming back.
Great post, I would not normally see this happening. The first photo does look erie. Almost like a person bending over in pain. Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing.
How sad - all those beautiful plants gone - but how wonderful to see new growth appearing - last year in the UK a lot of our favourite plants were taken by the hard winter - including our palm tree - but we are experiencing new growth coming through - nature is amazing!
It does look like an alien landscape. But it's good to know that new growth will take place. Must be fascinating shooting such forms. The first looks almost like a human..bending over with pain and grief!
How interesting! I confess that it had never occurred to me that there might be fires in the desert. The burned plants do look eerily like humans!
Lovely post they look amazing :-)
Wonderful series of photos. Not sure about the desert, but I know some areas (chaparral, for example) require periodic burning to stay healthy.
Wonderful photos! They do look as though they are crying:(
Interesting shapes indeed, these burned desert succulents. All the best of the season to you, Barb!
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