loot
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5730 W: 606 N: 3476]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(9313) [
2007-07-22 0:22] [
5] [
+]
Hi Howard
You managed an excellent capture with exceptional detail and colours in the flames. This was a result of the carefully selected aperture and shutter speed combination. The f/16 provided amazing DOF that ensured sharp focus on all the flames throughout the depth range of the flames in the shot while the shutter speed ensured remarkable exposure and prevented any OE from the bright light in the energy released by the fire.
Great work and TFS
Regards
Loot
PS. Your notes are great and it touched on a very important aspect about fire. While it is true that fire is a very destructive element it is also true that it is not necessarily a negative phenomenon. In many instances it really acts as nature's best friend. Often times the natural cycle of regular fires caused by lightning are prevented through human intervention. This leads to excessive build up of vegetation (fuel material) which results in even more intense fires that destroys the very ecosystems it actually would have benefited if there were no interference. This obviously could have a very negative impact on the natural cycle and requirements of certain species.
Such is the case of the endemic "fynbos" the natural shrubland vegetation found only in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa. The name "fynbos" is Afrikaans for
fine bush and refers to the fine, needle-like leaves of many "fynbos" species. The majority of the plants are evergreen hard-leaf plants. Three of the characteristic "fynbos" plant families are the striking Proteas, the tubular Ericas, and the grass-like Restios. Fire is a necessary stage in the lives of almost all "fynbos" plants, and is common during the dry summer months. Many of the seeds germinate only after the intense heat of a fire. In readiness for fire, most proteas retain their seeds on the bush for at least one year, a habit known as serotiny.
For many years conservationist believed they were aiding nature by preventing veld fires in this region, but eventually even after their intense efforts to protect these plants it was found that certain species have became extinct. Until one year, during an intense drought when all the other conditions were right for nature to take control and rescue the situation, lightning struck and in no time the whole region went up in flames. Everybody was terribly disenchanted by the disastrous loss of this precious habitat, but the next season, to everyone’s surprise, all was back to normal and even those species thought to be long extinct suddenly sprouted and flowered en mass.
"Fynbos" must burn, but fires in the wrong season (such as in spring, instead of late summer) or too frequently (so that plants do not have time to set seed) eliminate species. Several factors influence fire dynamics in "fynbos" - global warming, grazing practices and fire management (ignition events, size of burns), but their relative importance and interactions are poorly understood.
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 153 W: 1 N: 109]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 152 W: 34 N: 38]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-s.gif){kind=small}
![Silver Note Writer [C: 0 W: 0 N: 27]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}
