Remnants by Chipka
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Description
They are not like us at all, but there are similarities—enough, I think, to confuse any humans who encounter them. They have recognizable eyes, and so we know that they aren’t blind, that they must see in a way that we’d understand. Indeed, much of their behavior indicates such an ability; they are tool-using creatures; they create useless things that one can only describe, perhaps, as art or decoration, though I sometimes wonder if that latter term is accurate in any way. I’ve seen no indication that decoration in the human sense of the word is applicable to the ways in which they modify their personal environments.
We’ve known of them for decades, and yet we know so little about them.
They are built enough like humans: their heads (large) rest atop necks of moderate length. There is something vaguely insectoid in their facial bearing: their mouths open horizontally, like the mandibles of an ant, a beetle, a wasp. They possess two large eyes, forward facing, indicating binocular vision and superb depth-perception. They are, according to many who have studied them, the descendants of predatory creatures, though their current behavior indicates that they are more likely to claim near-predatory opportunists as their ancestors. They are omnivorous.
It has been years since I have lived among them. I have grown to miss their strange silence and the garish coloration of their cities. As expected, I think of them in autumn months, when deciduous trees lose their green coloration and adopt garish shades of red and yellow. Fallen leaves remind me of the alien cities I have seen: shameless in the searing intensity of their colors. I am sure to visit them again. Sooner rather than later, but until then, I have colors to remind me of what they are, colors—I think—that hold as much mystery as the aliens they’ve come to represent.
—Peter Renkov
unpublished personal journals
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In its native context, this extreme close-up of a fallen, autumn-colored leaf, bears no relationship to unnamed, mysterious aliens, and yet, this leaf—perhaps like the aliens it has come to represent—has the ability to changed the context in which it exists. One can easily see the passage of time, the shift of seasons, and the fade of warmth in this image, and with only a little bit of stretching, one may also see a shift from one place to another. At least I did, and I’m quite curious about this Peter Renkov guy and the aliens he remembers encountering.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting. I’ve been remiss in commenting (and viewing) as the past month has been extremely hectic; hopefully I’ll be able to catch up, slowly and surely, in the upcoming weeks.
Comments (21)
Faemike55
wonderful macro of this leaf! great backlighting
photosynthesis
Beautiful natural abstract - great work...
micturn
Awesome shot
auntietk
A city in flames, perhaps. Compelling, the possible loss of an entire civilization. Who were these beings? I wonder if there any of their kind left. I heard a rumor of a tale that there had been a colony across the sea, but it was a whispered, furtive story told by firelight. Maybe that's what made me think of it ... the firelight. If you find any more of Renkov's journals, I hope you'll share what you learn ...
bmac62
Brilliant patterns and colors...such a leaf is an abstract piece of art indeed. Enjoyed the Renkov paragraphs...I'll probably go to sleep tonight pondering these creatures. You've stirred my imagination once again Chip!
whaleman
Splendid image and an interesting passage to accompany it!
tresamie
Stunning! A perfect image for this most enchanting holiday. I love the fractal feel when natural objects are magnified so that you can really see the underlying structure. The palette is incredible, so very autumnal and so indicative of entropy. Superb!
Feliciti
wonderful colors and structures ,looks a bit burned ...thoughtful writing too
durleybeachbum
Oh to be in your brain...or maybe not, I should be exhausted by the marvellous changing imagery and constant stimuli! Superb, Chip.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
Campo-Diaz
Excellent work.
MrsRatbag
I'm with Andrea, your brain is a marvel! Wonderful narrative to go with this beautifully captured spotted leaf.
flavia49
fantastic!!
helanker
Wonderful capture of this fantastic colored leaf. I luv leaves in the autumn. This included.
Meisiekind
Fascinating - both narrative and image! Love it my friend!
nikolais
aerial view of patches of land downunder... nice image!
RodS
A stunning and colorful macro, Chip!
angora
love that glow & compo!
belasebok
Interesting and unusual! Excellent photo!
KatesFriend
This text touches upon an issue I have often wondered about. Even if aliens perceive that same kinds of stimuli which we do, how their minds interpret such stimuli might be radically different from how we interpret it. What is "garish" to us may be sublime and uplifting to these people. No doubt, we might even find how they eat to be disgusting. But a jaw that moves up and down might be the stuff of horror movies (should they have an entertainment industry) to them.
danapommet
I like the veining in this decaying autumn leaf. Sweet shot Chip!