Wood Womb

There is a photo-op that grows aslant a brook.
Welcome to the dark depths of the Wood Womb where the Black Widow weaves her web and the cobra coils in hooded hollows. Here the wild honey fungus enfolds itself like a little toadstool clitoris and Mapplethorpe syrup is collected. This is the sort of thing to make Brother Cadfael excitable. Vagina dentata? My advice is floss twice a day.
Actually, after the salacious allusions have been safely squirrelled away, I can tell you that this tree was felled from its once proud spot alongside the River Charles - willow weep for yourself - and undoubtedly its suggestive stump will become a brown basin for the accumulation of litter left by humans. A natural trash can formation in which rusting coke can and slimy plastic wrap will gather like grubby Druids in their temple copse. No room left for Ratty, Mole or Toad.

Comments

[Andraste]

My, my, you ARE becoming quite the environmentalist. But if that looks like a vagina to you, I think you've been dating entirely the wrong class of women. Eugh.

[stephenesque]

I have: the Wooden Man's Bride! (Actually my poor photo doesn't do the Wood Womb justice, alas - it is very Earth Motherly when you see it "in situ")

[DarkoV]

First picture I've ever seen of that infamous peckerwood. Honey fungus? Alluring and offputting simultaneously.
I believe the colloquial reaction is "Yuckhhh".

[Dr Praetorius]

Quite so. Contrary to prevailing scientific doctrine, the tree is a mammal, and reproduces by sexual intercourse. Because the tree lives on a much lengthier time scale than homo sapiens -- the average human reproductive act consumes three seconds, by my research -- the process can take decades. Thus patient observation on the part of the biologist is required to catch trees "in the act." This natural process gives "in the wild" new meaning. But, thanks to the Bible-thumping depradations of spinsters and busybodies, trees are increasingly timid in fulfilling their duty to future generations. I have been attempting to reverse this insidious brainwashing with sex education and titillating photography from Sierra Club books, but there is little I can accomplish alone. Your photo of a "cut" tree is heartrending.