Monday, January 3, 2011

MY WORLD ~ A Walk in the Woods


We went seeking our favourite walk in the Pinus radiata
plantation only to find the whole forest razed to the ground
and an uninspiring hill of stumps left. Somewhat daunted
we drove to our mushrooming spot only to find KEEP OUT
signs and Falling Tree warnings. There was heavy machinery
resting among the rows. Thank goodness it was the first day
of the year and even the loggers had a holiday.


Braving the prohibition signs and warnings that we were being
watched, we entered this sunlit cathedral of trees and breathed
in its warm fragrance feeling bereft that within a week or two
this too would be lost to us. There was birdsong all around us
but the trees stood silently fearful.


A mob of kangaroos spied in the distance as well as all the
birds would lose their homes. An ecosystem built up over
40 years would be no more.


With our unusually late spring rains, a crop of mushrooms
had surfaced and dried in the scorching sumer sun.


I found a comfortable seat on this stump that had brought forth
families of witchetty grubs, to sit and contemplate and try to
catch at least one of the multitude of butterflies in my sights.


It seems I took a little too long over it


but did catch one of those elusive critters after all.



So onward into the unknown, where will we find such places to
walk in so close to home?

As always, all photos enlarge.

A Happy New Year to all our Hosts at MY WORLD!
Click on the Logo to join in or just take a peek.

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19 comments:

  1. CarverJanuary 3, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Thank you for taking us with you on this lovely walk. Happy New Year!

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  2. Sylvia KJanuary 3, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Sorry you're losing access to such a lovely place to walk! Guess that's happening a lot in many places these days! Hope your new year is filled with lots of love and laughter, joy and beauty!

    Sylvia

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  3. Penelope NotesJanuary 3, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Describing this path as a “cathedral” of trees is perfectly worded. How incredible to think they will be cut down. Hopefully, the cutting will be minimal and reforestation considered for the area.

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  4. UnknownJanuary 3, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    I'm not in favour of arbitarily cutting trees especially for development. There is a better greener way. Boom & Gary of The Vermilon River, Canada.

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  5. UnknownJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    That is sad. Such beautiful wilderness constantly destroyed world-wide.

    I hope you can return here again before it too is gone.

    My post is here, if you'd like to take a look
    http://thepagansphinx.blogspot.com/2010/12/linking-to-lot-of-photo-memes.html

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  6. GaelynJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    It is always sad to watch the trees come down. I think they know it's coming. Glad you got to enjoy it while it's there.

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  7. LivingSoAbundantlyJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Well documented. :)

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  8. Ruth HiebertJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    It is sad to hear of these trees being cut down,and it happens all too often.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  9. IndraniJanuary 3, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Beautiful place, looks so calm and peaceful.

    A Very Happy New Year to you.

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  10. RandiJanuary 4, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    It´s sad that you can´t take a walk through your favorite forest. Unfortunately this happens to many places. I´m happy to live in a protected area.

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  11. artists gardenJanuary 4, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Great photos and blog

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  12. Johnny NutcaseJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    :( That's horrible. I hope something happens and they don't destroy this place. So sad. It looks like such a beautiful place.

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  13. ElaineJanuary 4, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    I'm glad you got to enjoy a peaceful day among the trees while they are still there. It's always sad to see a favorite spot developed.

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  14. Martha ZJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    It is hard to see a forest cut down although those trees are so even I suspect they had been planted for that very purpose.
    Our route to our summer home goes across forest land that is being harvested. In some places they left a row of trees along the road so the clear cut beyond wasn't so noticeable, but you still knew it was there. Now they are "thinning" instead but they leave very few trees.

    The wilderness, a mile beyond our place is protected, no logging there.

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  15. BeckyJanuary 4, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    I am so sorry for you Arija that your beloved forrest will be no more. It seems that this is happening more than we realize. To lose our birds, animals and greenery is so tragic. I hope and pray you will find another such glorious woods to walk. At least you will have your pictures and memories.
    B.
    PS I"m glad to see you aren't near any of the flooding.

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  16. Autumn BelleJanuary 5, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    Its a pity the trees have to be cut down to make way for development. I have enjoyed the walk in the woods.

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  17. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪January 5, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    I would love to have been with you. I went today, but to a native NZ bush.

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  18. BarbJanuary 5, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    This is a wonderful photo essay, Arija. Is that the Prof taking a siesta? So many old growth trees soon to be destroyed - it will make a difference not only for the plants and animals that flourish there, but also for air quality (not to mention loss of the enjoyment they bring). I guess that's what they call "advancement."

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  19. Bella SinclairJanuary 6, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Oh, that is so sad. It's a beautiful forest, and I can almost hear the buzzing and crackling of little critters in it. How horrible that it will be gone!

    I hope you do find another beautiful path near your home. Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family!

    xoxo

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