Half Rack

Day 259: I'm sure there are a number of locals who'd like to know where this half-rack was found, but I hasten to remind people that removal of anything from the Park is strictly prohibited. I might be asked, "But why can't I take it home?" I don't expect my explanation to be accepted with good grace, but the fact of it is that this antler will become home and food to a number of different insects, insects which will in turn become nourishment for birds, frogs and other critters, and will contribute minerals to the soil ecology which supports plant growth. It might even be possible that some rare species depend on its biodegradation in order to proliferate. Certain lichens and fungi only grow on decaying antlers. Mycorrhizal affiliations are present in many of the Park's rarer plants. Is there a connection? We don't know. The bottom line is that we humans do not fully understand how things are connected in our environment, and already, our interference with natural processes has disrupted the mechanisms in uncounted ways both small and large. We have ripped and torn the flesh of our Mother Earth when we should have been walking quietly beside her, drawing our lessons from her to ensure our continued survival.