!!!Viewer discretion is advised! The last three photos may not be for the faint of heart, especially the first of the last three. All of these photos are taken with respect and reflection.!!!
Join me today as I explore the forest that illustrates the many faces of nature: deep wounds to brilliant beauty to the traces of decay. It was a hike that got me thinking.
Check out the first three images:
At first glance, it would be easy to believe there is something sad in the photos; sap is leaking from the trees. It almost appears the trees are crying. So why does this occur? Essentially, sap is the trees way of healing. When a tree is injured; whether its a broken limb, a crack in the bark, parasitic insects, or even by our hand, it produces sap as a natural form of healing. The secretion type substance acts like a bandage. It can seal the wound, prevent the invasion of fungi and bacteria, and protect the tree from further injury and desiccation. I think it's an incredible defense mechanism, a great reminder of the resiliency of nature. One can say the tree is healing itself and these drops are its "tears" of healing, even if its far too late for these trees.
... and yet beauty shines above all ✨
The beauty of nature shines on, even when the trees are "crying." The following photos show exactly that:
Even the little injuries or dark impacts we discover, like the photo of the piece of wood with evidence of wood borers or beetles. We often observe feeding tunnels left behind by bark beetles or other wood insects here because still the forest shows us its infinite vibrancy. The rays of sunlight breaking through the tops of trees above us, the fresh green of the grass, the delicate pink of a small blossom. It all reminds us that there is always a way for life to emerge and that beauty is in every detail. It’s a contrast that continues to fascinate me: transience and new beginnings go hand in hand. In fact, even when something dies it can open up space for new life and create new patterns such as the artistic grooves in the wood.
The dark side of nature 💀
And then there is a dark side. The final images starkly reminded us of the transience of life:
These photos serve as a big reminder that death is part of the cycle. An animal that has suffered an accident, a deer, which was covered with a blanket, and is a sad sight that gives us compassion. The bones that are seen have their own story of decay and rebirth. They evidence that nothing lasts forever and that everything that is alive will become one with the more significant again. It is a brutal part of nature to learn to accept, but an essential piece that shows you how to accept and appreciate life in its entirety.
It is the ultimate transformation to accept and ultimately try to understand how the cycles of existence operate.
A weekend outlook ✨
This little walk once again reminded me just how amazing and complex nature is. It teaches us about healing and resilience, about the beauty that shines through changing seasons, and the difficult but necessary part of saying goodbye. Everything is connected, we are all part of an eternal cycle.
So, may these teachings remind you that even in these "tears" of trees lies strength, that light will always find a way, and that every time something ends there is also something new to begin. Let's take this wisdom of nature and put it into our own lives.
I wish you a wonderful and contemplative weekend! Take time to notice the little miracles around you, and maybe even the little miracles within. 💚🙃✌️
