From Destruction to Creation, after the Rim Fire

A return trip before winter's closure

A return visit to the northern edge of the Rim fire led me to new discoveries in the pine forest memorial land of charred and dead trees.  This second visit before cold weather closed down the Tioga Pass road was devoted toward spending as much time as possible and allowing nature to lead me with my camera.  

Wildfires can be beneficial to forests by clearing out over-crowded vegetation, thereby creating space for new growth. With all the tiny pines that were thriving in this area, the Rim fire has allowed for a rejuvenation of growth.  Unfortunately this fire was not an act of nature but caused from carelessness which burned 400 sq. miles at a cost of $127 million. 

Hiking deeper into the cemetery of dead trees, I stood at the base of so many monolithic trees that were still towering over the forest floor.

Up high from the green canopy a raven cackled as if to remind me to enter with reverence, for it was not only trees that met their demise in this charred forest. 

Every turn of the camera revealed a different scene with a unique story that immortalized a once thriving life. I was drawn to a young pine that had succumbed to the intense heat, finally resting on its side, with bare branches reaching up.  

Life amongst death as a bramble bush takes residence against the charred trunk of a once majestic pine.  The hollowed base of the tree will likely become someone's den for the winter.

One of the most awesome scenes of survival was this mighty Ponderosa pine that was almost cored from the fire, yet still alive and standing tall.

  The pine's strength and perseverance really touched my emotions. 

Sap oozing  down from this hollowed out recess in the charred pine gave me impressions of being in a cave.

 In a small area I noticed a number of round, blackened balls that I think might have been Black Oak Acorns.  Black Oak Acorns were a food staple of the Yosemite Indians.  

The opportunistic side of nature never ceases to amaze me, some critter has made a home in this hollowed out trunk

An intriguing scene and I wander if the boulder was cracked by the intense heat?

A shape beckons me to take a closer look, the abstract form has humanoid qualities and reminds me somewhat of a Hawaiian Tiki Totem 

In one of the most devastated areas of the fire a huge pine lays stretched out for many meters.

I can only imagine how many years this tree had been growing. 

 

 Over time and like with the Titanic, nature will reclaim what is left of this hull, leaving only a layer of mulch and some charred bark. 

New growth accents the landscape and Lupines are beginning to grow on the forest floor. 

 A destroyer of living matter, the fire leaves in its wake abstract creations, the outline of a heart catches my eye in the upper section of the trunk.

 Intricate shapes accent the landscape,  nature's Biomorphic creations that are charred and appear as if decorated with Pryographic designs. 

  
 
All over this land where the dead have come to rest lies a tribute to so many once thriving lives.  As I begin to retrace my steps and make my departure, I feel blessed that I have been given such an opportunity to experience this touching side of nature. 

 The seasonal change of winter is coming soon and one never knows what changes it might bring to this unique memorial site. Maybe I'll return again after spring's thaw.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

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