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A natural stump in the forest
The forest is full of interesting shapes, forms and colors. Depending on what time of year it is, there is always something that gets my attention. If I was younger, I'd love to live in the middle of a bigger forest than the one I live in right now. More of a wilderness area than this forest. Our forest is pretty tame compared to others. Right now, it suits me perfectly.
The bark of the cherry trees become like this often
There are many kinds of trees and they are distinguished by their leaves, bark, fruits or nuts, and texture. The bark of the tree will adapt to the situation to help the tree survive. It isn't always typical of its characteristics to identify a certain tree. Insects live under the bark, feeding on it. Birds, like Chickadees, store their food under the bark of the trees. I watch them do this all the time. Wild animals chew on the bark and a tree has to repair itself, many times through out its life.
Another stump in the forest with an interesting look!
Trees die and the stumps waste away after a number of years. Some trees die and rot while still standing, still producing leaves in the spring. In a forest you will see a number of stumps rotting away. Old trees have lived a long life usually, unless they are killed by a disease, a lightning strike or an animal chewing on them. Eventually they will fall and rot away. Forest life goes on.
Some kind of fungus on the bark of a tree
Fungi lack the chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize so they need to feed on something that does. That is why you will see trees with it living on its bark. Fungi needs organic matter for its food. It grows right onto, or into the food source, even penetrating the leaves. Needing nourishment like animals and people do. Getting it from the trees. Mushrooms are the most common fungi that people recognize.
Woodpeckers love the old dead trees of the forest!
The trees in the forest are works of art if you study them and spend time with them. In my previous life, I spent some years visiting art museums in big cities. To tell the truth, not one masterpiece compares to the art I find in the forest. Take a walk in a forest this year and see what I mean. Stop and observe the trees. Take a child with you and ask them what they see. They will teach you how to see the art in a tree. It is the real art of this world!
Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole
All Photographs Copyright © 2012 Kathleen G. Lupole
1 comment:
I have always loved the forest. Big forests are great, dark and mysterious, but sun-dappled forests are nice too. I've spent more than a few years roaming forests, hiking trails, snapping photos, and inspecting fallen trees and trunks and decaying bits of wood. Fascinating. All of it. Thank you for this post. It reminds me of something that I truly love and don't often think about.
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