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Saturday, June 1, 2013

June Theme Day - The Beauty of Decay


Baby elephant at the Pittsburgh Zoo

When learning that the theme "The Beauty of Decay" won the vote for our City Daily Photo group I immediately planned to use one of the many old buildings I have photographed. I thought this would be easy! But then, I decided I wanted to expand on the theme and what decay means so I looked up the many definitions.
And here they are:
de·cay (d-k)
v. de·cayed, de·cay·ing, de·cays
v.intr.
1. Biology To break down into component parts; rot.
2. Physics To disintegrate or diminish by radioactive decay.
3. Electronics To decrease gradually in magnitude. Used of voltage or current.
4. Aerospace To decrease in orbit. Used of an artificial satellite.
5. To fall into ruin: a civilization that had begun to decay.
6. Pathology To decline in health or vigor; waste away.
7. To decline from a state of normality, excellence, or prosperity; deteriorate.

#7 made me think of this photo. A beautiful baby elephant living out its life in a zoo. That is not really a "state of normality" for an elephant, is it? Nor "excellence"?

I'm sure the elephants, as well as the rest of the animals are treated very well there at that zoo but still....I can't help but be sad to see them caged in like this, to never live in a "state of normality" and slowly decay, from the inside.

To see takes on this theme, from all over the world, visit City Daily Photo

41 comments:

  1. Interesting choice for the theme!
    He's a cute guy. From what I've read, his chances for survival in the wild are getting worse, so he may be better off in captivity. Tragically.

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    1. i think that too...and i'm not against zoos at all....but i'm torn...

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  2. What a beautiful capture! And love the interpretation on the theme! I also feel a bit torn when it comes to zoos, I hope this little one will have a good life.

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  3. Fantastic interpretation and I support your insightful social commentary.

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  4. Yep, ditto here. I love to see people take the theme and totally run with it! Excellent. And pleased to see that you were able to link first.

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  5. Congrats on both the interpretation and the beauty. I love your composition, the color, ...everything!

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  6. to me this photo is more about the beauty of life, but you are absolutely right in your interpretation.

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  7. I share your ambivalence about zoos

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  8. It is sad. Creativity on your part makes for an excellent choice for today's theme day. Charming photo too.

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  9. Lateral thinking. Well done

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  10. An interesting interpretation of the theme.

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  11. Excellent interpretation, Tanya! I know exactly what you mean and I share your feelings, especially after having watched many of this gorgeous creatures in the wild.

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  12. too many of their space in the wild have been taken away and what they get is a limited space in a big park...
    It is sad that they are being kept for the whole life,

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  13. wow!
    fantastic take on Theme day, well done :)

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  14. your take was very interesting.

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  15. you deserve an award for most creative interpretation of the them..well done! :)

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  16. A fine capture for your theme and an excellent one of the animals. I like how you explored the idea of expanding the idea of decay.

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  17. I hate zoos. There, I've said it! Fab post for today!

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  18. Its a tricky one this Tanya, but its certainly a unique interpretation of the theme and a beautiful image.

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  19. Beautiful shot, but kind of a sad reality. Great theme interpretation.

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  20. Excellent choice for theme day.

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  21. Wow! This is an interesting interpretation on the theme. Sad but true.

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  22. A quite sad reflection about the theme, with an excellent image...

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  23. I can see your point.

    Such a cute little elephant.

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  24. I watched a TV program about this subject last night. Sad.

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  25. What a wonderful interpretation of our theme. I agree. The animals at our zoo seem to be biding their time . So sad, but a beautiful photo of this proud animal .

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  26. It is an unusual interpretation of the theme.

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  27. Your Theme Day post is unique. Thanks!

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  28. Love your photo, your research, and your take on the theme. Well done!! I am torn, too!

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  29. Thanks for the different take on the theme.

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  30. Interesting interpretation of the theme!
    So cute!

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  31. I'm not a fan of zoos. I like your take on the theme. Cute little guy.

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  32. A lovely image. The elephant seems to be resigned to its fate.

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  33. I like your choice for the theme!

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  34. oooh, interesting!!
    decay of radio-activity, didnt think of that either.. hahaha

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  35. A fabulous post for theme day and a great image. Bravo.

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  36. Wonderful shot of an amazing animal.

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