Throughout nature there are millions of plants that support life in one way or another. As I watched birds and chipmunks climb over and around some of the pine cones near me, I realized that there are many things that we, as humans, glance over without thinking about it. Pine cones have many decorative uses, and of course there are the food benefits. But I must admit when I looked at these pine cones I wasn’t thinking of them as something to eat. They did remind me of the holidays and fall festivities. 

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However, on this day with my camera in hand I began to watch the other animals and activity around the pine cones, and realized that there was more to meet the eye than I had given credit for. From small insects to large birds the pine cone seemed to hold something interesting. I have no idea what the insects wanted, perhaps just a place to hide from the birds who pursued them. The chipmunk seemed to want the seeds. The birds seemed to want everything, the insects and the seeds.

 

So, from beauty, to shelter, to food, Nature’s Bounty provided more than I had first thought. And with that in mind I photographed the simplicity and beauty of the pine cone.