This may not be the case with this image.
At present I am working on some words to do with full-circles, journeys, beginnings and endings - these will appear (with luck) on my wordy blog in a couple of weeks.
This is one of the natural encounters that starting me thinking about this.
It's all the remains of an adult Australian Pelican that I found on the edge of a breeding colony on Mud Islands in Port Phillip Bay. The successful chicks and adults had all left. The colony was empty apart from the remains of the birds who came to the end of the road this season.
I was drawn to the way the bird seemed to be turning back into sand - being turned back into the building blocks of new life in the age old process of decay.
All reactions appreciated.
You can find more macro images at Macro Monday 2 and I Heart Macro. SM
Winter, I think, is taking it's toll on birds here. I noticed evidence of that on my walk yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe title is fitting, it truly was the end of the road for the Pelican. Sad to see though! Have a great day and week ahead!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't like anything to die - skeletons, half skeletons, dead creatures in general are interesting. It's the closest we sometimes ever get to them.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering whether you would like to join in with Tree Following through Loose and Leafy. Each year I chose a tree and see what it does through the seasons and what grows around it. I'm inviting others to join me and am experimenting with a linky system.
You might like to take a look at this post http://tinyurl.com/oxxh3am . . . I do hope you decide to 'follow' a tree too.
'and unto dust you shall return...'
ReplyDeleteja maar ook dat is de natuur
ReplyDeleteVery sad to see the end of this pelican to see.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Irma
Unfortunately death is a part of life.
ReplyDeleteStrange how it bothers us because we have the conscience to think about it; animals are more fortunate they don't!!
I can understand how you felt looking at this beak and skull...
All part of life ~ very creative and thoughtful macro shot ~ thanks ~ Happy week to you and success in your word creations with this photo ~ ^_^
ReplyDeletecarol and artmusedog
www.acreativeharbor.com
Interesting photo of the skull and the shells in the sand.
ReplyDeleteWhether it is hard to look at or not, it is realistic and it is realism that we all need to be aware of and deal with. Excellent post, Stewart! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteGood title for the photo - Nature taking its course.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a special heart to recognize the transformational beauty of death Stewart. Thanks for sharing the love up-close with I Heart Macro:-)
ReplyDeleteKind of the way I would like to go, except out in the desert.
ReplyDeleteIt is part of life. I have seen those wings on our beaches ... can even remember talking to my kids when they were little and grandkids about what was happening (while telling them not to touch). Your thoughts are (and will be) expressed much more beautifully than I ever could.
ReplyDeleteI do not mind pictures like this at all and even appreciate them ... it would be depressing if you never posted anything else, but of course you do.
Hard but nature and maybe the beginning of a great fossile (embedded in a future sandstone):-).
ReplyDeleteBirth - death, and whhat happens between, is life. Lets hope the between for this guy was productive, with many happy hours floating on the water, fishing.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a pretty powerful image, Stewart - I guess I'm fascinated by it in a different way than a typical photo of something "beautiful." Rather than sad, though, I think it's symbolic - past life giving way to new life.. the circle of life, as you mention.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your wordy post!
I get it. These images are also part of the story we sometimes choose to ignore.
ReplyDeleteIt's the sad part of life when we have to say good-bye. But knowing that it's not in vain is a comfort.
ReplyDeleteYour post memorializes the life of this bird and gives us pause to think of its end.
ReplyDeleteIt already looks like a fossil.It' s all a part of the circle of life. Living on the farm, I deal with death way more frequently than I like, but you learn how natural it really is.
ReplyDeleteAlways taking us to a new level with your photography.
ReplyDeleteA fitting end for all of us perhaps - a simple return to the web of life.
ReplyDeleteCircle of life...
ReplyDeleteI'd rather see it lying there on the beach like that, than on a road...