The Next Generation
In yesterday’s post, Alone Together, I mentioned that these bare tree trunks covered much of the mountainside. A few people offered explanations for this ranging from pollution to destructive parasites. This prompted me to do a little research and I found that this has actually been caused by the Balsam Woolly Adelgid, a non-native insect first found on the mountain in 1962 that has decimated the entire U.S. population of Fraiser Fir trees. Mount Rogers is the northernmost area populated by the Southern Appalachian Spruce Fir and only one of five remaining forests of the tree in the country, the other four being in Tennessee and North Carolina. Although impacted, Mount Rogers has been less affected than the other regions. The mortality rate for firs infected with this insect is 90-99% and the resulting stretches of barren mountainsides have been dubbed “ghost forests”.
Ok, enough with the history lesson! This photo was shot in the same location as yesterday’s photo but 90 degrees to the left. Comparing the two you can can begin to get a sense how quickly the terrain changes here. I literally did not move my tripod, I just rotated the camera and leveled it. When I sat down I was facing this scene and while the imposing dead trunks were the first thing I noticed what got my attention was the one healthy fir in the foreground. This one tree along with the number of saplings gives a little hope that the trees may yet survive this attack.
Camera settings: Canon 60D
Processing: Adobe Lightroom 3
I used to be happy to acquire this amazing net-site.I need to to help you because your efforts for this incredible examine!! My husband and i obviously having fun with nearly every little bit of the application and then I have most people book-marked to think about modern stuff you net article.
Interesting read, did not know that. Nice capture! Very well done!
great use of BW Curt, well done!
Very nice photo – and you gave it a great title.
I. Love. Trees. This is beautiful.
Great shot Curt! Love the B&W conversion here!
Love this shot and your processing of it!
This photo has the look and feel of an Ansel Adams. I Love the processing you chose for this image Curt!
Wonderful image Curt. We had visited the Smoky Mountains a while back and a similar pest had invaded some trees around there.
Sweet black and white, the barrenness of the landscape plays into your processing very nicely!
Crazy what nature can do. Love the processing.
It is sad what happens to an area when non-native species are introduced. Neat title with lots of symbolism Curt
Nice shot Curt.Like the clouds – nice background.
I see so many photographers see a scene, shoot it and run to the next scene. Like you, I try to look at the surrounding area, shooting from different angles, etc. Some of my best shots are the follow-up ones.
Excellent title, Curt. It tells all the story you need for this image. Great shot and processing.
Nice shot!
Shame the forest has been invaded by this pest. Great processing.