A Little Space
July 6, 2008
Perhaps you’ve experienced the process of down-sizing (or maybe you should). Going with a little less is, at times, a better option. But then there are times when it’s forced -things are lost, stolen, or destroyed and it doesn’t feel so nice. We all have a “list” of what we think we need -everyone’s list being unique in it’s own right. Unfortunately life doesn’t allow the opportunity to live in a perpetual state of the “ideal.” Everything is forced to adapt -deal with something that’s new, uncomfortable, or less then desired.
I’ve been experiencing a bit of adapting for the last week or so myself. Having grown up on a multi-acre property in the quiet rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains I now find myself residing in 350 sq. ft. of apartment in the heart of the 15th largest city in the United States and right beside the largest university. It’s a bit different to say the least. Thankfully, most organisms have a great ability to adapt and I think I’ll get it figured out in time.
While doing some adapting myself I’ve thought about the animals I study. There’s a lot of talk about adaptation, space requirements, refuge sizes, and habitat fragmentation. Indeed, one of the most important aspects of helping a species (and one of the goals of my research) is to define exactly what the particular needs of the species are. Just as what you need differs from that of your neighbor, each species has its own particular needs and requirements. I talk to a lot of people who just don’t understand why Indiana Bats can’t just spend the winter in the old barn like the Big Brown Bats do, or why they don’t fly south with the Hoary’s. Now I think I have a better way to explain it… it’s the same reason some feel at home in a cramped little apartment in a big city -and others prefer a little more s p a c e.
While the city cramped up my living style, it also cramped up my photography -and my dish drainer [what, -you thought they fit a dishwasher in here?] But hay, I’m trying to adapt. The image got a little help from Photoshop’s glowing edges filter.
Dish drainer: Nikon D1x 24-85mm f:2.8-4D
