Magnify "Fireweed Lane"

The "Fireweed Lane" Experience

The Fireweed gets its name from being a hardy pioneer plant following devastating forest fires and is essential for regenerating the soil.  The brilliant floral essence has also been known to help regenerate the soul.  I felt that flow of energy when I came across this incredibly vibrant field of fireweed.  It was August and I was out exploring the backroads of the Kenai Peninsula northwest of Homer.

Blooming from bottom-to-top the Common Fireweed is considered a seasonal gauge - when the uppermost blossoms bloom many feel summer is all but over.  During autumn the seedpods burst and, with the help of a fluffy down tail feather, the seeds are distributed by the wind.  They are lofted far and wide looking for targets to take root in and regenerate.