Lens-Artists Challenge #331 – Resilience
This week, Anne (of Slow Shutter Speed) gets us to ponder what resilience means to us as photographers. “Are you resilient?” she asks. Furthermore, she wants us to think about how resilience applies to photography. That is the challenge. Please look at Anne’s post for guidance and photos. She will inspire you to express your views.
How does resilience reflect in my photography? For example, the devastating fires in Los Angeles brought back vivid memories of a disastrous fire nearly consuming Bastrop State Park’s entire area. The park, located 45 minutes from downtown Austin, suffered 96% destruction of its entire area. Dry conditions, strong winds, and a possible fallen electric line contributed to the fire. Although 1,700 homes were destroyed — some never rebuilt — there were only two fatalities. The fires burned from September 4 through October 10, 2011, and destroyed 34,000 acres. This was the most destructive wildfire in Texas history. Luckily, the 1930 historical cabins constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) were saved by the first responders’ heroic work.
Bastrop State Park is located in an area known as Lost Pines. The name comes from the area’s unique and isolated loblolly pine trees. The image to the left shows what the park used to be. A thick and beautiful canopy of loblolly pine trees covered most of the park.
Only in December 2011 was the public allowed to revisit the park in some areas. The devastation was everywhere. I went to the park to document what I could see during that time.
The strong winds blew fast and unpredictably. For example, a section of the land was spared in our friend’s home because the winds shifted suddenly. However, their home itself burned completely.
Here is one CCC construction that was partially destroyed and rebuilt. The rocks were not damaged, but the roof and benches were gone.
Two years later, we could see areas where the fire had moved so quickly that it spared some tree tops. It only burned the underbrushes. The photo on the right shows some new trees beginning to come back.
Nature is significantly resilient, primarily when humans assist in recovery efforts. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, four million loblolly pine trees were planted to recreate the Lost Pines ecosystem.
The last two photos were captured in 2020, nine years after the fire. You can see new growth returning amid the burned trees left standing. When I went hiking then, the tree canopy was unlike what it used to be. The loblolly pines were shorter than 18 feet (5.5 meters) high. On average, a loblolly pine tree can grow at a rate of two feet (61 cm) a year.
Nature is remarkable when it comes to adapting to trauma and destruction. It can bounce back, although very slowly. Nature is resilient. I do not believe I will ever see the Bastrop State Park’s landscape as it used to be. It is coming back slowly. Hopefully, it will most definitely be there for future generations.
Thanks for sharing your 2024 favorite images in last week’s challenge. Seeing your galleries was a joyful start to this new year.
This week, Anne asks us to look at resilience in our photography. I look forward to seeing how you express yourself with your beautiful images. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Ritva returns with a new challenge at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out another exciting challenge. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
Those are the stories behind the shots. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Bastrop SP, Civilian Conservation Corps, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Parks, and Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Anne Sandler
Egidio, this post reminds me of the fire in Paradise and all that was lost. It is amazing how nature fights back and people rebuild their lives.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback and comparison. It’s very fitting.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, thank you for telling the story of the Bastrop State Park fire. Your text and images illustrate how nature can bounce back after a tragedy.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, thank you for the feedback. Much gratitude.
Tina Schell
I must admit Egidio that I was looking forward to a happier ending where everything had come back to what it was. Sadly it was not to be, but perhaps for those who follow us. I have a vivid memory of when we visited Mt. St.Helens years after the volcano eruption. On the right side of the road Weyerhaeuser had replanted trees and it was lush and green and still growing. On the left side there was nothing but ash. The difference was stunning.
Egidio Leitao
Tina, the sadness I have when I hike in that park is always present. It was a gorgeous setting. Luckily, though, on the other side of the road, the scenery remains unchanged. I probably need to do a follow-up post to wrap up on a happier note. A highway divided Bastrop State Park from another park. The other park was unharmed.
Tina Schell
PS. I forgot to say that I loved your choice for the challenge as well as your beautiful images and so agree about nature’s resilience!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for your compliment and kind words. I appreciate them.
JohnRH
Good ones Egidio. Resilience indeed.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John.
Marie
The power of rebirth in nature. Great post.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly, Marie.
Vicki
Fires ARE devastating although many Australian native plants and trees need fire to break open their seed pods, so the native Aboriginal people have been doing controlled burns for thousands of years.
I remember as a child, the fire racing up the hill behind our weatherboard home that Dad had built. We had our car and caravan packed and ready to flee when the wind changed direction and our area was saved.
Your image of the burnt out car says it all, but with a little human help the landscape can be restored.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, your experience must have been so tense. I’ve never had been that close to fires. I’m glad your story had a happy ending. Thanks for the comments.
Teresa
Wonderful story for this challenge, Egidio
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Teresa.
Leanne Cole
I think many of us are thinking along the same line Egidio. Great post.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. Here in the USA, with the ravaging Los Angeles fires, that is on everyone’s mind.
Ana
Great post, Egidio. Nature is a great example of resilience and fire is a very powerful adversary.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ana.
Sofia Alves
You’re post is wonderful, Egídio. It feels full of hope after there’s very little of it left. And your photos are beautiful, they show how much you treasure nature. Thank you for this.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. You saw it clearly.
margaret21
Trees are quite extraordinary in their resilience. Thank goodness.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your feedback, Margaret.
Albatz Travel Adventures
Your title says it all and your photos are an inspiration to see the resilience of the forest.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for these kind words, Elizabeth.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
A truly remarkable series on nature’s resilience Egídio, it’s wonderful to see the forest so alive again 💚
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kindness, Xenia.
Lakshmi Bhat
That was heartbreaking and heartwarming. Nature gives us hope. Thank you.
Egidio Leitao
Yes, I agree. In spite of the magnitude of that disaster, we are seeing a renewal taking place. Thanks for writing.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
when I was a teenager, we had to evacuate from under a bushfire in Australia, and the destruction it caused and how quickly the area came back to life afterwards. Your photos and story brought that emory back to me. Nature is so resilient even with all the we people do to make hard on it
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for sharing your story. It must be so difficult having to leave home because of a fire.
photobyjohnbo
Nature has a wonderful capacity to rebuild and rejuvenate. Recovery from wildfires is but one example.
Egidio Leitao
That’s true. Thank for the comment.
Patricia Moed
I share your hope and worry about nature’s resilience. I fear that we’re pushing her (nature) to her limits. That said, I can see how much you love nature and its beauty. Beautiful captures, Egidio. You have a wonderful eye.
Egidio Leitao
Patti, your words make my day. Thanks.
Leya
A wonderful post and wonderful pictures – as always. It feels so good to see the green returning, even if it will never be the same. We don’t have many fires here, but they have increased. It is so hard to watch a place you love disappear. Fire and water are devastating – but nature returns
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words, Ann-Christine. I appreciate your feedback.