via In response to today’s WP prompt, I thought this the perfect shot. A rare, surprise EF-1 tornado ripped through sections of our town in late February, leaving many forested areas suddenly exposed. Nature’s clear cutting, complete with mulch.
While shocking to witness, I see food opportunities for birds such as woodpeckers and future cavity-nesting nesting sites for many species. The tangle provides cover for small animals from larger predators. Young trees that previously competed for sunlight now have an opportunity to grow unhindered. Nature’s recovery is a miraculous process.
Further on, the tornado with winds of 80-110 mph, did cause property damage to several homes, but thankfully, no one was hurt.
Eliza Waters 
What a beautiful perspective you have, Eliza. ❤
So glad no one was hurt.
Thank you, Julie. Yes, it could have been much worse.
Yes, we humans tend to think in terms of human and monetary loss from storms, but the impact on wildlife is equally as tragic.
Wow…..this is shocking! I must say, if this had been my yard, I might not have had such a positive take on the events….at least at first! But I guess it gives evidence of Nature’s final say in things.
It’s true – Nature rules no matter what.
There have been a couple of tornadoes in Germany this year too, but luckily and miraculously with no serious injuries. It is amazing how quickly nature recovers from such damage and creates a new habitat for other species. I wonder what plants will suddenly spring up now they have been given light and space. I am glad you see the positive side too.
Thank you, Cathy. It is an amazing regenerative force.
Even an EF-1 tornado can be very damaging and cause injury and death. Imagine what an EF-5 is like.
The forest will come back. It will take time, as always. Watch for the changes. Keep us posted.
EF-5 sounds scary as hell!
They are swirling hell.
Wow! I am so glad that wind missed us. I find the most birds in a clearing on the edge of the woods. It is specialized and highly valued habitat!
Yes, nature is very adaptive. Did I recommend to you ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ by Peter Wohlleben & Tim Flannery? An excellent read!
I added this book to my (extremely long) Amazon wish list (;
A little humility would go a long way towards our understanding and cooperation with the Natural World.
Indeed. Humans seem to think we are separate from it, when in fact we depend on it for everything.
Mother Nature at work. 🙂
24/7
A great capture of ‘exposed’ Eliza. The recovery in nature is always a miracle. 🍀🍃
Indeed – its constancy is so reassuring.
The power of the wind is wild, such devastation, but it is a time for nature to renew. Much like a forest fire, so devastating, can in the end, beneficial.
Yes, it helps to see the bigger picture. Thanks, Maggie.
Tornadoes rarely happen here, so everyone was quite surprised. What was amazing was how defined it was – one side of the road was trashed and the other side was fine, nary a branch down.
Your intimate understanding of your plant & animal neighbors gives you an equanimity that would surely have escaped me!
It was shocking to see at first – such destruction, and each time I pass by, I still marvel at the force of nature. But I try to practice seeing the bigger picture and the upside benefit. Nature carries on always. 🙂
Wow, great perspective, through both the camera lens and your personal lens.
Thank you, Diane.
At first I thought it was a clearcut – nothing uglier in my book. Wow. Tornado!
Wow is right!
It’s an ill wind that blows no good?
Yes! 🙂
Yikes. I didn’t realize you had a tornado down there. It always seems wrong to hear of New England tornadoes for some reason. They just don’t seem to belong here. At least we have cellars (well, most of us do).
Yes, we’re not geared to think about them like folks out West. It was totally unexpected and without warning. The forecast expected a front to move through with the usual thunderstorms and minor winds. Surprise!
We forget in England what the climate is like elsewhere. Thanks
Thank you, Steve. The Great Plains have devastating tornadoes every year, I can’t imagine living there, but at least they have a system of sirens to warn people. Seeing floods, droughts, storms and other extreme weather around the globe helps us count our blessings.
Such a perspective…to point out life in the midst of such loss. Nature is amazing. I continued to reflect on this after reading it yesterday. Thank you. 💕
Thank you, Carrie.