As a human being I often look to collected sources of knowledge and teachings to answers everyday questions about existence, struggles and meanings. As a nature photographer I look at the characteristics of nature and see pertinence which applies to those same questions.
I’m amazed to the extent life will struggle simply to survive — long after most of us would have given up.
The trees in these photos have found a life among the rocks by conforming their roots to the surface of the bedrock below. With time they find cracks and use them to make purchase extending their own lives.
Scenes like this make me realize we owe the gift of our lives the full value of our efforts to live them without reservation. Easier to say then do — I have to keep reminding myself.
Note: Paul Maxim has written a recent post on “Yesterday’s Light” of trees who struggle for “Life on the Edge.”
A couple of appealing images – the first especially. You do what you can, what you have to, to get by and survive in life and that tree is an example of being tenacious. As humans, we’re much more likely to give up in ways -jobs, spouses, friends, life – I guess it goes with the territory of self-awareness and all, but these trees only have one goal: survive.
John, we have other areas and personal interests but when it comes to survival I’ve seen some pretty amazing acts from us humans that would rival these trees. Perhaps we aren’t as far removed from the basic laws of nature as we’d sometimes like to think.
Thanks!
It’s inspirational to think about these trees and survival with such complex, but efficient, root systems. Thought provoking. Great post.
Ken, thanks. Trees and nature in general certainly adapts to survive. People are much the same I think. We may give up on many levels but survival is usually a fight to the finish except in cases where people decide to set their own terms.
Both images are great, Earl. I’ve seen so many trees just like these, finding ways to reach water and stability. There’s a tree I found in Zion, for example, that looks like your second shot – it just forced its way down through a very large boulder and eventually split the rock into two distinct pieces. It must have taken a very long time. I know trees are not “aware” and therefore can’t be described as “patient”, but the lesson is there nonetheless.
Paul, thanks. I’m often in awe of the perseverance and adaptation witnessed in nature. We/I get so wrapped up in day-to-day activities I often lose sight of the simple truths that surround us/me.
I’m also surprised when I see a tree with a bent or curved trunk and nothing around it to suggest any reason for it. Nature just has ways we do not understand.
Monte, yes, the more we observe the more we come to realize we know and understand so little. I hope you’re having a good Easter Weekend.
I love the first root image Earl. Perfect example of a tree staking out its territory! :-)
Like Monte, I often wonder how a particular root systems “knew” to go in a certain direction for water. I am sure there is a very technical biological explanation for it – cellular reactions to humidity probably.
Thanks, Mark. It may be something technical and complication or perhaps it a matter of trial and effort or simply sending roots out in all directions but only needing a few to succeed.
Whatever the case, the results can be pretty amazing. :-)
These are beautiful and a bit painful to see how these trees struggle to survive against all odds. Excellent pictures.
Hey Don, Thanks!