Birches, Bigalow Hollow State Park

Gray and white birch bark starting to decompose, partly buried under the previous fall's collateral damage. The understory of the forest is a constant reminder to the cycle of life in nature. The bark and leaves here will take decades to completely decompose, fertalizing later generations of plant life.

Bigalow Hollow is surrounded by Nipmuck State Forest, filled with trails through the woods. Many of these follow the shore of Mashapaug Lake. The park is a popular area for nature lovers, picnickers, boating enthusiasts, and, oddly, scuba students.