Swamp Spirits

Some say it is but a legend, others say, they have seen it for themselves, and the legend is true. All those who parish in the swamp, both men and beast shall return to the earth. In time the roots of the palmeadow will pull their spirits into its leaves and refuse to let them go. When their time has come the swamp is set a blaze. Fire races across the fingergrass and ferns burning every thing in it's path. Animals and birds flee for their lives. The palmeadow knows its time, and when it can no longer resist, bursts into flames. As the leaf is consumed in fire, look carefully, you may see the spirits of the dead escape, set free from the swamps dark clutches.
After the fire, the swamp is purged of all that is dead and dying, green grasses and the Zephyr lily's will appear, the palmeadow will drink deeply of the water at it roots, sprout new leaves, and the ageless cycle will begin again. R J Wiley

Love the words and the image! Together they are terrific! I see so many faces/spirits in there!! The rebirth of the swamp-very cool!!

i think you may have been exposed to something else that was burning.:D maybe some funky smoke.:eek:

this is really cool and the story makes it quite spooky. i wouldnt expect this kinda stuff out of you, RJ!! i like it!!!

Beautiful writing and compelling image to go with it, Rod. Fantastic!

Rod,
This blew me away (pun intended on smoke) :D I love the image design and the background story. This would be very fitting for the Framing images with words forum perhaps? Really awesome man.
Thanks for sharing.

love the additional text Rod AND love that this is a flip
of a real fire. The demonic looking images within are quite
haunting....I can almost envision a pair of red piercing eyes on that top spirit.

just playing....the eyes are subtle and could be missed by some viewers

Dave, I like the eyes!! They are a nice final touch!!

The image was taken at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Many of the ancient Cypress Trees in the swamp were shading the swamp 100 years before Columbus arrived. If they could speak they would tell of hurricanes, alligator hunters, Armies, Seminoles, plume hunters, orchid theives, lumber jacks, and many fires. The orginal image is 67mb's so the detail in this 140kb image is hard to see. Thank you for your kind words. Rod

Neat image and text. :cool:

Rod, the image and story are very creative. I'll look at my cabbage palm a little differently from now on:)

____________
Cheryl

Fantastic Rod,
Love the story line and the image...well done...:cool: