It could have been the stagnant water that covers the forest floor here that killed the trees. The sour smell of the water permeates everything, but not so much that it chokes a person. But maybe it did choke the trees. I wonder how it got here.
The forest is dead here, but it has its own odd beauty anyway. It probably looks very creepy at night though. As I walked through this area I wondered if the trees will ever grow back here, or if a new system will develop here.
Maybe this is all really because some of that old humor was based on my inexperience with nature. I'm finding it harder now to claim that I've had a crazy mishap in the forest because I know it would be too much of a lie. Before, those stories were just fun exaggerations. Some were totally true.
Over at Nature Center Magazine I have posted one of my old fiction stories that I did here quite a while ago so you can compare my old style with the way I write today. It's called A Big Goose Egg. Go take a look and see what you think. I've been reading through my old archives to see if I can recapture a little of that old magic. It's a shame that Alice seems to have outgrown her love of nature.
Maybe new life will be born out of the old, and then something even more wonderful will be here in its place. It's a shame that nothing lasts forever, but we have to make way for the new thing that is coming next. We can only hope that it will be just as good.
Nature Center Magazine - Your starting place for nature!
I talk to Alice when I find myself short of inspiration and humors.
ReplyDeleteThe scene looks as good as a living forest.
It is odd that just a section of the forest has died like that but it most likely is from the water like you say. Sort of like in the swamps. Be careful walking near there. Have a great day Ratty!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you didn't get stuck in the muck. I would say it was floded for a long time, perhaps a levee failed and wqss never replaced.Over time it will change as we all do. Change is good, and the sense of humor still remains.Perhaps you need some cows to level out that thinking.LOL
ReplyDeleteSteve,ootp
Nice photos of the dead forest. I could spend hours slowly meandering those trails.
ReplyDeleteAs for the writing, it's hard to pinpoint why we change our styles and then determine if it's a good or bad thing. I've been blogging since 2005 and have gone through several major life changes and writing-style changes... not necessarily coinciding with each other. I think the important thing is to just keep writing and try not to pigeon-hole yourself into "this is my writing style". Don't over-think it. Accept the change, keep writing, and lose all expectations about your own true style, save for the expectation that your style will inevitably change again sometime.
Keep it up! Although I mostly lurk as of late, it's always a pleasure to read your posts.
Oh, so sad to see those bare trees.. I see a swamp in the making. On lack of humor, give it some time, Ratty... it might be just a phase. :) I still enjoying your writing! :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen burns in riparian areas that leave it looking like that. Hmmmm. Good mystery. No worries about writing style. Just keep writing about what you love and it won't matter.
ReplyDeletenice posting... i like it
ReplyDeleteTo Steve: I had a good chuckle when you suggested that Ratty spend some time with the cows. A few years ago, Ratty was visiting me here in Nebraska. Every time we would be around a sizable herd, he would gripe and complain about the smell. For some reason he did not seem to mind the smell of sheep. Perhaps he could spend some time with them.
ReplyDeleteYour dead forest is really quite beautiful. It looks like it is becoming petrified. You could write some sort of science fiction mystery story to account for its demise. I can easily picture you coming up with quite a tall tale.
ReplyDeleteI'm not worried about your style, Ratty. I always find what you have to say most interesting.
It is always a pleasure to read your work Ratty.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... seems to be a story about more than a forest. They might have been flooded out, or I wonder if they are ash that the ash borer got.
ReplyDeleteIt's been my opinion that you have a delightful gently humor in your writings that's enjoyable to read. You will never lose that!
ReplyDeleteI think the dead forest is fascinating Ratty...and I am sure if you keep re-visiting this spot then one day you are going to find something totally new coming up out of that barren graveyard.
ReplyDeleteAs for your style of writing...yes it may be slightly less humorous but is is still all you and I am still enjoying experiencing your nature walks with you and reading about your findings!!
Maybe this dead forest will be an inspiration for a Rat Tales story!
ReplyDeleteYes, there is still beauty in the dead forest! It changes just like us..I notice that my writing style also changes with my mood. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to think it's dead. I mean, what can kill a forest? And who can allow or prevent it? Isn't it a waste to see these trees get rot?
ReplyDeleteWebielady
A dead forest really isn't..the insects benefit from the dead wood, birds benefit from the insects and so on. Gorgeous shots, Ratty!
ReplyDeletei do see, i actually find the dead forest beautifully haunting, it's like giving us a glimpse in time, though of course we know it's purpose and how it serves the continuation and propagation of the living.
ReplyDeleteEven in this condition it is still a beautiful scene. There is probably an abundance of life, different kinds of life, under that stagnant water. Mother Nature always will not give up on this place.
ReplyDeleteOur writing styles change constantly as do our moods, give it time Ratty. Don't worry too much about humor, even the most experienced outdoors people stumble across humorous situations.
My first thought was that Acid Rain got them. I rather like the idea that the cause was flooding.
ReplyDeleteDang Ratty, You are still a funny Rat!
Thank you all for your comments. Each one means a lot to me.
ReplyDelete@Sparkle
That's a good idea. I have a few ideas already.
May be beetles or something. We saw that happen in Kentucky where a beetle destroyed a huge portion of the forest. Kinda sad, but then there is room for growth and change when something dies off like that.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your head injury is the same way, Ratty. Maybe something died off or changed, but I'm sure something new is brewing in there too! Don't be discouraged--look at it as an adventure!!