Rejuvenation #2 (WC#407)

Fire has been a precursor of rejuvenation from time immemorial. Only in the last century, with aggressive protection have there been fires of this caliber of devastation. There is a lesson here, if we are willing to learn it. Unfortunately, it gets more and more difficult to put the genie back in the bottle.

Beautiful photo, BTW.

True, Philip, and with increasing temperatures, more beetle kill, and more foolish people, i dont see an end to it.
Josh, i got to witness the lupine blooms in the Hayman too, and it was quite amazing. I was mainly awestruck by the amount of destruction though, which frankly may take many decades to heal, if it ever does. Great shot here, i really like the stark sky and the nice butte in the bg.

Interesting how the burned trees are under a dark, forbidding sky in contrast with the lush purple flowers which seem to be almost in sunshine. Very well done.

Yep, careless people and dry conditions indeed. This fire had been started by a forest service worker who was burning a letter from her ex-husband despite the no-fire regulations that had been placed on the area at the time ('02 was one of Colorado's driest recorded summers). After the flames eclipsed the fire ring she was using the forest ignited and the fire spread very quickly. Needless to say that forest employee was sentenced to some federal prison time after she was caught. Sad story for her and the more than 100 people who lost their homes as well, but the beauty of the flowers and regrowth that is just beginning in the area is a silver lining that is interesting to document.

Fortunately the roots of many plants can survive a big fire. The ash from burned plant is a good fertilizer, that why the nature can recover fast, but not the tree. These need a very long time to come back to original size.
I like this photo with a very nice blue color. And I like very much the overall compo. Well done Joshua.

I've wondered what it is like in the Hayman Area by now. This is really nice documenting the new saplings against the scars of old trunks.

I bet the wildlife which returns will do well on the new growth.
The stormy clouds add to the photo as well as the strong color contrast.
Presents a strong message.

the fisch

This is a great entry for the weekly theme. I've personally spent a lot of time wandering around the aftermath of forest fires, and its always a swirl of mixed emotions. It can be heartbreaking to see a forest ruined (especially if from human stupidity, or poor forest management), but at the same time it gives us a close look at the power of nature, and its reactions to drastic change. Good stuff, Josh.

Joshua,

I lived in CO when the Hayman fire occurred so I appreciate this image very much because of the regrowth it shows.

Joshua: This is 4+ terrific. Marvelous comp and the sky is compelling. Well seen and superbly captured.>=))>

Beautiful and dramatic image of rejuvenation.
Congrats on the EP!

sandy r

It is so amazing how Nature recovers from devastation. This photo shows that in an excellent way. Congrats on the EP