Skeletal by Chipka
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Description
Decay, it is said, lurks in dark corners: in forgotten places, just out of sight, just out of mind. I suppose this is true, in some worlds. In the world I inhabit, decay enjoys a different status. I’m not entirely fond of decay: I don’t like it when fruits I’ve spent money on are unceremoniously eaten by bacteria (and insects) that receive them for free. I’m certainly no fan of decay-inducing organism that consider me to be an appropriate food source. And so having said that, I can say that (with a few reservations) I actually like some of the bacteria species that we call decay. I like oxidation in truck yards. I like hidden rust (on something I do not own.) And so I guess I can say, beyond any shadow of a doubt, I like decay…as long as it belongs to someone else.
I took this picture about two weeks ago. I saw a number of bulbous skeletons beneath the back-porch stairs at my current place of residence. They are all that remain of a particular breed of fruit I am unfamiliar with. Some of the skeletons contain seeds: dried, desiccated mummy-things. Others contain insect husks and arcane, inscrutable bits of debris. One husk actually contained an egg case of some sort: silk woven around something that hatched a long time ago. I’m sure that I can find out what these skeletal remains once belonged to, but I’m not that interested. I rather like the skeleton, the play of color, texture, and light, with the faint hint of still-born seeds inside. In a sense, one might judge this a melancholy image, but for me it’s something else: evidence that time passes, that things change, and that yes, decay (sometimes a bad thing, and sometimes not) will eventually declare that life persists, even if it’s life we don’t like.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a fantastic (not entirely decayed) weekend.
Comments (23)
eekdog
cool shot and great info, looks so alien..
NefariousDrO
Absolutely fascinating shot, the intensity of the contrast really heightens the structures, it's like some kind of weird gold filagree that's made from a biological process instead of sharp tools and acid-baths.
danapommet
An amazing collection of shapes and textures. Super find and capture Chip. Dana
KatesFriend
Curious. I've never seen anything quite like that. eekdog is right, it is so very alien looking though no doubt far more benign than the giant pods in the film Alien. But then again, that's what they used to say about triffids. Interesting thoughts on the subject of decay. I think it underlines the fundament fact of life that we all live at the expense of other living things. And no doubt some other living thing, a bird, insect or bacterium will find some sustenance from the remains of this pod.
CoreyBlack
Hmmmmmmmmmm. So, am I looking at the dessicated corpse of a victim of foul play in an episode of CSI: Fruit and Vegetables? It's hard to tell what this once was. A strawberry? A cherry? Neither? It is fascinating, though. I keep looking at it intently as I try and figure out what it once was. Excellent, intriguing macro.
Bossie_Boots
I like this i have never seen such a skeletal looking fruit in decay superb capture and a jolly good read !!
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
Feliciti
excellent shot ...looks like an jewelry design too
durleybeachbum
It brings to mind one of the few things I can remember from Chemistry lessons at school: 'Matter can neither be created nor destroyed, but it's form can be changed'.
bimm3d
great texture and capture!!
helanker
Awesome shot of this little... I dont know what is in english, but I know what it is. :) But here it is in Latin. Physalis alkekengi. Atleast I am almost sure. You gave me a good laugh of what you wrote :-)
-Jordi-
Fantastic shot and wise reflections
marybelgium
fascinant !
Sepiasiren
wow--exotic and creepy all at once--very kewl!
Bothellite
What an intricate design all the while - usually ignored. Wonderful thoughts from down under.
flavia49
wonderful
Orinoor
Great image, I love it when decay allows the structure of things to show themselves. As a gardener, I embrace decay, I use it (does that make me creepy?). This looks very much like a ground cherry, probably known as a Cape Gooseberry in your neck of the woods and is related to tomatoes and as such, is in the nightshade family. They are a childhood favorite. Think of them as a cherry tomato, each with their own paper wrapping.
MrsRatbag
I love the natural netting of this little pouch of seeds. These vegetable skeletons are wonderful! As far as Andrea's comment regarding matter, that's the chief reason one should never stand next to someone who's dieting. If someone loses weight it has to go somewhere else, and I personally already have it in for several people who've gotten thin at my expense!
mgtcs
Amazing capture Chip, wonderful information, thank you my friend!
RodS
Nice macro, Chip! It does look alien!
icerian
You are right, decay belongs to the life, at least on this beautiful Earth. I believe in eternal life and it begins just now. Well seen and superb captured. 5+
sandra46
SUPERLTIVE IDEA A GREAT CAPTURE
erlandpil
Stunning capture my friend. erland