Yesterday morning Sarah offered to go down to the bay side with me so I could see for myself. The bay is still as beautiful as ever but the heavy clouds looked like rain - but it did not rain and we are still as dry as ever.
The devastation is everywhere! This first photo is taken from the picnic area looking down over the creek.
All the people I talked to think this must have been caused by that hail storm that hit the area on the 11th of October. (That is more than three months ago.) Sarah went down to the bay the next day and saw lots of damage then - trees stripped of their leaves and lots of leaves and green foliage floating in the water. But as usual I am left with more questions than answers. Was there more damage done to some kinds of mangroves than others? Was the age of the plant/tree a factor? How much can the different kinds of trees rejuvenate?
These leaves are new growth on a Grey Mangrove.
These are close photos showing hail pits on the trunk of a mangrove tree. The first photo was taken soon after the storm when the pits were new and showed the damage with color as well as the pits.
To document most of the damage to the trees I need to be out on my kayak to get up close - and I have not been on the kayak for some time. Still Hoping!
Sad story about the trees. I recently posted about the Ribbon Gum Trees that are dying in the Snowy Mountains.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that mangroves turn like that from being hailed on, we have mangroves everywhere here in NZ.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how wide spread the damage was to the mangroves.Will be interesting to see how many come back and how long it takes.
ReplyDeleteHello Nick, it is sad to hear about the mangrove trees dying. I hope they can make a come back. Enjoy your day, have a great new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThat was quite a storm to make those marks on the trees.
ReplyDeleteI always thought they're evergreen...I am like you, why are they dying off? Hope they have a comeback!
ReplyDeleteAlways sad to see the demise of nature ~ but great photos despite the devastation ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Always sad to see such damage, but that new growth is hopeful!
ReplyDeleteThat is quite amazing. I would never expect that hail could do so much damage to trees, stripping the foliage and pitting the wood like it has.
ReplyDeleteYes ... hopefully there will be new growth. The hail seems to have hit the trees with unusual force, almost like pellets from a BB gun.
ReplyDeleteHoping the mangroves will heal and rejuvenate - the same as gumtrees after a bushfire.
ReplyDeleteThat’s very scary ... so much life depends on the mangroves. Can only hope.
ReplyDeleteHello, that is so sad to see the damaged mangroves. I hope and pray for more new growth. Enjoy your day, have a great weekend ahead!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's quite incredible.
ReplyDelete