Thursday, May 23, 2013

Renewal In A Burnt Forest

The morning was shrouded in fog. Mist hung on the singed aspen trees and the white barked limbs were laden in charcoal. The scent of smoke was still lingering, after all this time, soaked into the trunks of the trees and into replenishing the soil. Our shoes sunk into wet red clay as we assessed the damage of the fire here in Wyoming last summer. Our beautiful mountain had caught fire due to a spark from the exhaust of an ATV. Thousands of acres of ponderosa pines, aspens and prairie grasses and sage were ravaged by the flames along with a few cabins.

How happy we were to see fresh deer tracks, bear scat, woodpeckers hammering away on the aspen trees still left standing. Teeny tiny sprigs of lime green petals and delicate pastel flowers looking for all the world like cheerful stars on the ground. Flying low, a turkey vulture circled above our heads and out of a rock pile, mister fuzzy marmot showed his face, fleetingly. A yellow-green hummingbird bid us farewell, hovering and whirring in place, as we hiked on down the red dirt road.

 

 

11 comments:

  1. it is hopeful and makes one smile xoxo

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    1. I did smile when I walked gently through those trees. I WAS hopeful, especially when I heard many a bird, singing their song.
      Lovely morning meditations to you and those boys, out there on your patio jungle. xxoo

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  2. a great reminder that after the death comes new life...
    the perfect balance of nature
    the perfect balance of us

    beautiful my friend
    xo

    love and light

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    1. Yes! Balance! Cat, you've explained the clash between life and death, an important reminder, that in this world there isn't one without the other.
      *Love & light *

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  3. The cycle of life...how poetic and beautiful. Have a wonderful weekend my friend :)

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    1. Well, when you put it THAT way! It is poetic, I suppose. It was a strange and serene sight, all the new flowers emerging through charcoal. I'd never hiked through the aftermath of a forest fire before.
      I had a relaxing Memorial Day. Hope you did too, Keith!

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  4. dear red dirt prairie girl.
    it hurts to know that trees and cabins [and possibly animals] succumb'd to the fire, but there is new growth, and that is good. plus, there's one very sweet antler'd curly hair'd prairie creature wandering about....!

    love and light

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    1. There were signs of deer and bear! I looked for a real antler, but sticks had to do. :)
      I couldn't stop wondering about all the critters and birds that were lost and their homes and nests misplaced. Oh, the animals. Always always, thinkin' bout the animals, aren't we? XX

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  5. It takes a while, but nature will reclaim the land.
    Have a good Memorial Day.
    Your latest follower, Rick

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  6. Nature bounces back nicely. It's miraculous, really.
    Your latest book looks interesting. I mainly read nonfiction, so it's definitely something I would pick up. I'll have to listen to your music as well. Love folk, Americana, acoustic. I've been known to plunk on some guitar strings myself. ;)
    Thanks for being here, Rick!

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  7. Great note. Super pictures! :)
      Yours.

    + Please visit our blogs. :)

    "Everyone needs to dissolve the mean time, not only in words."

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