Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Monday, October 8, 2012

New and Used Landscapes

I have been visiting this burn area over the past few weeks. I normally would have driven by a location like this thinking what a shame. Because the landscape was "ruined" by the fire. As I walk around in the "wreckage" staying open to what it has to say, it speaks. Surprisingly as all the cars full of outdoor enthusiasts drive by to prettier locations, the locals; deer, hawks, lizards, and woodpeckers, are thriving. To me, it's in spite of the fact the humans have gone away. It's safe to return now.
In many ways it points to the ways I see human activities as being "throw away" in nature. When something is used up or no good we move on to what is new and good. We try to forget about our trash by putting it away in landfills or building walls and highways around it, on the way to the better part of town. Then the locals return again.

Thursday, October 4, 2012