A moving and sobering report. I visited the Grampians two decades ago and remember them well. I really like your writing as well, you found clear and strong words for things I've felt as well.
Thank you Manuela. The beauty and the destructive power of nature were all so apparent in this landscape - it really was hard to get my head around this dictomy, especially given our role in the frequency of fire.
James, your photos are so powerful and your words equally so. I felt like I was walking through this area with you. So wonderfully done and so important a message. Thank you for this. Again, your photos are just stunning. But your words bring a kind of poetry to what you have shared with us.
Your words and photos are devastatingly beautiful. It saddens me greatly that this is our present and future. Living in California, I’m experiencing first hand, the catastrophic effects of human-caused climate change. I just don’t understand why we can’t do better.
Neither do I Alicia - it reflects our paucity of imagination, even when the effects of climate change are right there in front of us. Big fires take a long time for a community to recover from - I still feel the impact of the 2009 Black Saturday fires - so I have some understanding of what you are going through. Best wishes.
Very beautiful photos, and very thought-provoking words. You are right that we will reach a stage when insurance will no longer apply because the funds to cover the costs will simply not be available. I shudder to think what will happen then. I am really pleased that I do not have children, because the future looks so bleak.
Thank you for this important and timely post, James! I deeply relate to its cautionary message, as I live in the Southwest U.S., where wildfires have become increasingly common and extreme. A few years ago, a major fire started just a couple of miles from my house, destroying 30 homes and 26,000 acres of beautiful mountain forest.
Wow James! This is haunting and hits very close to home. Here in the Southeast US the climate is generally very wet and humid. I've never been concerned about wildfires before, but this year there have been so many throughout the region.
That first image is amazing, btw, and I really appreciate the pano perspective!
Thanks Erik - the changes in weather around the world has been quite remarkable. And I was very pleased with that first pano - this was my third trip to this section of the range, and I finally got conditions worth taking the camera out!
“The blackened landscape I see today is a precursor of the world of the future – laid bare, exposed, vulnerable. A rethinking of the future is required.
As I look south towards my morning viewpoint, the beauty I see in this landscape is bittersweet.”
Just reading your words brings tears to my eyes. Your photos are beautiful, but also devastating!
You say this time the fire was likely caused by lightning and yet I can’t get rid of the feeling that we are the problem…
This is a very strong piece today! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Susanne - I was hoping to convey what I felt exploring this landscape. And you are right, we are the problem - the frequency and severity of fire is no accident (we are still getting 30+ degree days in mid-April!)
Rachel, no I don't - that would have been a good image! I'll leave it to you to imagine - I used my hands a lot to gently move blackened branches as I move across the country (trying not to break the vegetation) and the soot plus sweat really worked into the creases and fingernails!
A moving and sobering report. I visited the Grampians two decades ago and remember them well. I really like your writing as well, you found clear and strong words for things I've felt as well.
Thanks Jadzania. The Grampians are still an amazing place, but visiting after the fires was confronting.
Beautiful and sobering all at the same time.
Exactly right, Lynn. Thank you for reading.
Striking, graphic images, but desperately disturbing ...
Thank you for your enlightening account of the consequences of our civilization.
Thank you Eric, it can be hard to ignore the increasing impact of climate change sometimes.
Great images and writing, James. Thank you.
Thank you Kevin, I appreciate your comment.
“I embrace my insignificance – life does not start and end with humankind. But still I hope that one day we can rediscover a balance with the planet.”
I love how you expressed this. The images are so beautiful. Destruction and beauty all at once? Beauty coming out of destruction?
I am not sure. It is bittersweet, like you said. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Manuela. The beauty and the destructive power of nature were all so apparent in this landscape - it really was hard to get my head around this dictomy, especially given our role in the frequency of fire.
James, your photos are so powerful and your words equally so. I felt like I was walking through this area with you. So wonderfully done and so important a message. Thank you for this. Again, your photos are just stunning. But your words bring a kind of poetry to what you have shared with us.
Thank you Tom - perhaps where facts and figures don't resonate, words and images can?
We can definitely hope, James.
Your words and photos are devastatingly beautiful. It saddens me greatly that this is our present and future. Living in California, I’m experiencing first hand, the catastrophic effects of human-caused climate change. I just don’t understand why we can’t do better.
Neither do I Alicia - it reflects our paucity of imagination, even when the effects of climate change are right there in front of us. Big fires take a long time for a community to recover from - I still feel the impact of the 2009 Black Saturday fires - so I have some understanding of what you are going through. Best wishes.
Very beautiful photos, and very thought-provoking words. You are right that we will reach a stage when insurance will no longer apply because the funds to cover the costs will simply not be available. I shudder to think what will happen then. I am really pleased that I do not have children, because the future looks so bleak.
Yes, Angie, it feels like a slow motion truck crash and we are powerless to stop it.
Thank you for this important and timely post, James! I deeply relate to its cautionary message, as I live in the Southwest U.S., where wildfires have become increasingly common and extreme. A few years ago, a major fire started just a couple of miles from my house, destroying 30 homes and 26,000 acres of beautiful mountain forest.
I am sorry to hear that Todd. The loss of a special landscape can hit hard, not to mention the homes and sometimes lives also lost.
Wow James! This is haunting and hits very close to home. Here in the Southeast US the climate is generally very wet and humid. I've never been concerned about wildfires before, but this year there have been so many throughout the region.
That first image is amazing, btw, and I really appreciate the pano perspective!
Thanks Erik - the changes in weather around the world has been quite remarkable. And I was very pleased with that first pano - this was my third trip to this section of the range, and I finally got conditions worth taking the camera out!
“The blackened landscape I see today is a precursor of the world of the future – laid bare, exposed, vulnerable. A rethinking of the future is required.
As I look south towards my morning viewpoint, the beauty I see in this landscape is bittersweet.”
Just reading your words brings tears to my eyes. Your photos are beautiful, but also devastating!
You say this time the fire was likely caused by lightning and yet I can’t get rid of the feeling that we are the problem…
This is a very strong piece today! Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Susanne - I was hoping to convey what I felt exploring this landscape. And you are right, we are the problem - the frequency and severity of fire is no accident (we are still getting 30+ degree days in mid-April!)
Interesting images James
Thanks Shital
Your images are beautiful, and your words are haunting. Thank you for sharing this day with us. Do you have an image of your stained hands?
Rachel, no I don't - that would have been a good image! I'll leave it to you to imagine - I used my hands a lot to gently move blackened branches as I move across the country (trying not to break the vegetation) and the soot plus sweat really worked into the creases and fingernails!
I've been a couple places like this before. This one is particularly beautiful. The smell lingers in the nose for so long. Wonderful shots, James!
Thanks Hanz - it is a confronting experience, despite the beautiful landscape.