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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

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41 comments:

  1. LindaJune 1, 2013 at 12:13 AM

    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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    Replies
    1. Tanya BreeseJune 1, 2013 at 12:19 AM

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

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  2. LONDONLULUJune 1, 2013 at 1:16 AM

    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. Chrissy BrandJune 1, 2013 at 1:16 AM

    Fantastic interpretation and I support your insightful social commentary.

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  4. JulieJune 1, 2013 at 1:21 AM

    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. StuartJune 1, 2013 at 1:41 AM

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

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  6. InekeJune 1, 2013 at 1:56 AM

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

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  7. Gerald (SK14)June 1, 2013 at 2:11 AM

    I share your ambivalence about zoos

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  8. LOLfromPasaJune 1, 2013 at 2:48 AM

    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. MoJune 1, 2013 at 4:21 AM

    Lateral thinking. Well done

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  10. JimJune 1, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    An interesting interpretation of the theme.

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  11. UnknownJune 1, 2013 at 4:34 AM

    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. wilfJune 1, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    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. JoJune 1, 2013 at 5:19 AM

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

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  14. RevrunnerJune 1, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    Wonderful image, Tanya!

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  15. DarylJune 1, 2013 at 7:43 AM

    clever interpretation

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  16. BirdmanJune 1, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    Agree!

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  17. Hull and HereaboutsJune 1, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    Completely agree. Nice picture.

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  18. TexWisGirlJune 1, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    your take was very interesting.

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  19. KrisJune 1, 2013 at 10:00 AM

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

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  20. donJune 1, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    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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  21. cieldequimperJune 1, 2013 at 10:29 AM

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

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  22. PerthDailyPhotoJune 1, 2013 at 11:07 AM

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

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  23. Barbara/myth makerJune 1, 2013 at 11:10 AM

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

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  24. RandyJune 1, 2013 at 11:22 AM

    Excellent choice for theme day.

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  25. JudyJune 1, 2013 at 11:27 AM

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

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  26. VPJune 1, 2013 at 12:25 PM

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

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  27. DinaJune 1, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    I can see your point.

    Such a cute little elephant.

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  28. RedPatJune 1, 2013 at 5:38 PM

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

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  29. VirginiaJune 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    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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  30. JackJune 1, 2013 at 8:48 PM

    It is an unusual interpretation of the theme.

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  31. LynetteJune 1, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    Your Theme Day post is unique. Thanks!

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  32. AdeleJune 2, 2013 at 12:16 AM

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

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  33. Oakland Daily PhotoJune 2, 2013 at 1:01 AM

    Thanks for the different take on the theme.

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  34. KarlJune 2, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    Interesting interpretation of the theme!
    So cute!

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  35. Coloring Outside the LinesJune 2, 2013 at 7:35 AM

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

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  36. ZosiaJune 2, 2013 at 8:09 AM

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

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  37. MichelleJune 2, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    I like your choice for the theme!

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  38. CaTJune 2, 2013 at 9:45 PM

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

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  39. JoeJune 3, 2013 at 3:36 AM

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

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  40. AnonymousJune 3, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    Wonderful shot of an amazing animal.

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