Breathing Out Memories

Beautiful things grow
to a certain height
and then they fail
and fade off
breathing out memories
as they decay.
...F. Scott Fitzgerald

I took this photo this very large fallen tree in Tahoe. While dead trees may not be the most attractive part of the forest, they are essential to its health. As dead wood is decomposed (by fungi, bacteria, and other life forms) it aids new plant growth by returning important nutrients to the ecosystem. And those seemingly dead trees are actually teeming with life. Logs (dead trees on the ground) and snags (standing dead trees) play a vital role in the lifecycles of hundreds of species of wildlife, providing a place to nest, rest, eat and grow. I thought this tree was still a beautiful specimen.

Nice on Black.

https://extension.psu.edu/dead-wood-for-wildlife

[Diana]

It certainly is beautiful, wonderful textures and tones.

[Wendy]

Very pretty! A superb study of the old tree.

[sally agnew]

Lovely colours and textures :)

[Lou Ann]

Marvelous narrative! It is a beautiful tree.

[Mave]

As they decay, fallen trees can take on many shapes in your imagination. Good shot

[Henri Russell]

Great explanation of the need for dead trees. Nature has a plan, if we would just listen.

[Pigeons Farm]

Great Pov and narrative

[Candace]

Great textures!

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Wonderful textures in this.

[Graham Harcombe]

Lovely rich colours and textures!

[CC Folk]

@ludwigsdiana @mave @ellida

Thank you so much! I don't know how long this tree has been there but I imagine it has been years since the bark has been picked clean to a smooth surface. And the tree was once very tall.

[CC Folk]

@farmreporter @louannwarren @hermann

Many thanks! The tree is very beautiful without its bark. I imagine it took quite sometime to pick every bit of bark away by insects and beetles.

[CC Folk]

@henrir Thank you. Yes, nature knows what it is doing in the grand scheme but sometimes Mother Nature can also become overly destructive. Humans are probably to blame for some of the issues with global warming, over population, fires, flooding, etc.

[CC Folk]

@kgolab @ribbet9 @mittens

Thank you! It is a beautiful tree trunk...naked in all its glory, smooth and clean. I bet the insects, bugs and beetles had a real feast! :)

[Sue Cooper]

Dead trees are so, so important because they support so much life. Great capture.

[haskar]

Great pov and focus.

[Sandy Z W]

Did you put a filter on it? Interesting finish.

[CC Folk]

@yogiw No filter. I think it is cool how smooth and bark bare it is...those insects went to town!