Kip’s Comments - September 24, 2022

Succession

Early this morning I went for a walk along the Cedar River. I wanted to check out the moss-covered tree Kristy and I found yesterday. Today I had less bright light and more of a fog/mist coming off the river, yet hardly perceptible in pictures.   

After recording a series of images of the mossy tree, I then pointed my Nikon at individual items on the tree. When I saw this sprout popping from the moss on a dead tree, next to a leaf that had ended its life, one word came to mind – succession. The dead tree and autumn leaf were completing their purposes on earth. The moss and sprout were beginning their mission.   

Succession is the way of nature. Succession is a continual process consisting of fine details we seldom recognize. Even though often a scene in nature may appear stagnant, there is always something happening. Plant material is returning to the earth as new life sprouts. Life ends and life begins, often thriving on the remains of the previous generation. Such is life in the wild.