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27 Aug 2017 Traveller

MorningRise

Is there a pattern in the distribution of Aspen across an open meadow? I believe so...(see below)

Canon EOS 77D
1/30s f/20.0 at 15.0mm iso400 full exif

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Canon Image Challenge09-Sep-2017 05:50
Me too! It was good to research this...I knew there was something odd about Aspen groves...with thus being the case, I wonder why the Utah grove isn't considered the oldest living thing on earth?

As to the sun, I actually did not see the pattern....and only barely do now...my mind may not work to see these things. I do have shots where the sun and its refracted rays are centered and more prominent, but they kind wash out the color...I think.

Hummmm

Traveller
Canon Image Challenge07-Sep-2017 12:47
I'll buy this - and I learn something every day.

I think it is a fine photo. There is another pattern that I was hoping Mr T would see - the sun rays in the upper right. The pattern just needed to be somewhere in the picture.

Jim
Canon Image Challenge07-Sep-2017 04:51
Let me make the argument:

A clonal colony or genet is a group of genetically identical individuals, such as plants, fungi, or bacteria, that have grown in a given location, all originating vegetatively, not sexually, from a single ancestor. In plants, an individual in such a population is referred to as a ramet.

In regards to Aspens:

Aspens are also aided by the rhizomatic nature of their root systems. Most aspens grow in large clonal colonies, derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers; new stems in the colony may appear at up to 30–40 m (98–131 ft) from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason, it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of "Pando", is estimated to be 80,000 years old,[2] making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. Some aspen colonies become very large with time, spreading about 1 m (3.3 ft) per year, eventually covering many hectares. They are able to survive forest fires, because the roots are below the heat of the fire, and new sprouts appear after the fire burns out. The high stem turnover rate combined with the clonal growth leads to proliferation in aspen colonies. The high stem turnover regime supports a diverse herbaceous understory.

Aspens have evolved several adaptations that aid their survival in such environments. One is the flattened leaf petiole, which reduces aerodynamic drag during high winds and decreases the likelihood of trunk or branch damage. Dropping leaves in the winter (like most but not all other deciduous plants) also helps to prevent damage from heavy winter snow. Additionally, the bark is photosynthetic, meaning that growth is still possible after the leaves have been dropped. The bark also contains lenticels that serve as pores for gas exchange (similar to the stomata on leaves).

^^^^^^^^^

There is, I think, a distinct pattern in most every Aspen grove a pattern of spacing, because of the common root system, but also so that the canopy can, fairly high up, spread without competition from its sister/brother bretern.

Traveller...if there is a pattern, how is the picture? Too much sharpening? Any emotional response to colors, setting?

Thanks
Canon Image Challenge07-Sep-2017 02:54
I am struggling with a pattern - but if you see one ...

Jim