Home»All Albums & Groups»Kenya — January, 2015»Samburu — Doum Palm Remains

~ What happens after one of the towering Doum Palms in Meru and Samburu loses its life force? The fronds turn brown, become desiccated and drop to the ground. Insects and lizards crawl around the hulk, accelerating decay. The tall support stalks remain standing for some time, gradually falling earthward as supporting fibers and tissues lose their tensile strength. These images show the remains of a once thriving Doum Palm. The elephant near the base provides a sense of scale. There's a quiet dignity in death, with the remains providing raw materials for living organisms.