The older I get, the more sure I am becoming that there is no such thing as coincidence. I've recently gained some recognition for being able to tell a story with images and words. Yesterday I went for a ride up in to the mountains just outside of Kelowna, and today I have a story to tell.
If you live in Canada and read or watch the news, you've probably heard of the Mountain Pine Beetle. This insect has been ravaging the forests of the BC Interior for several years now. The warmer winters and containment of forest fires have created ideal conditions for the survival of this hungry species. I've driven through some infested areas before, but I had no perspective on how rapidly the forests are being torn down in an attempt to contain the beetle and harvest the wood from the dead trees before it rots or turns blue, which makes it undesirable for the major lumber markets.
My guide for the day was Roger, a friend who has staked a claim up in the mountains and offered to take me and my camera off the beaten path when he went out prospecting for the day. These pictures were taken at his claim site; a site that just last year was a dense forest. Not having been up to the area since the snow melted, Roger's surprise at what we found was evident. I'm not sure how much of his work has been affected by the dramatic change in the landscape, but I suspect the impact is significant.
If every picture tells a story, then I'm naming this one above "The Last Stand". This group of trees was left to stand in the midst of the clear cut. From what I learned yesterday, it's likely they have a function. We covered a lot of ground yesterday and I saw some fantastic things that will be material for the next few blog entries, but these images have made an impression. Is there a certain beauty in them? I think so. As most photographers know, it is best to accept what you are given on any day of shooting. The story will reveal itself. It always does.
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