Carrion My Wayward Son

With the warm weather we have been having, our snow has quickly been melting away. Brown grass and fields aren’t the only thing that blanket of snow was covering up. Scattered around the landscape are the remains of many dead animals. Although these animals may not be pretty to look at as you drive down the road, they are a very important part of nature. They may not have died of natural causes, but the result can still benefit the rest of the natural world.

Many other animals will use this carrion to help them survive the winter. Eagles are only one species that will feed on carrion. Many other birds such as crows, vultures or even song birds will feed off of the meet and fat left behind. Not to mention fox, coyotes, mice and who knows what else will make a meal of the already dead animals.

Photographically speaking, dead animals don’t usually make very pretty images, but I think it’s important to help tell the complete story of our natural world. As photographers, we are storytellers. We use our images to express those stories to our viewers. In this case, the death of one animal will help to insure the survival of another. It’s all part of the great circle of life that we are all a part of.