The art of recycling

Like others I spend a lot of my time trying to photograph the beautiful side of life. But one thing is certain - all living things, however beautiful, will die. A whole set of organisms, from bacteria to vertebrates, make their living by decomposing and re-cycling the dead. Without them life would have come to a very messy end a long time ago. 

This dead seal was washed up on the beach on the last tide and the carrion crows have already started the recycling process and in a few days the seal will be gone, but incorporated into who knows how many new bodies.  

That splendid old Yorkshire anthem On Ilkley Moor Baht 'at explains the ecology of re-cycling quite succinctly and rather well!

Wheear 'as ta bin sin ah saw thee? ? 
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at! ?
Wheear 'as ta bin sin ah saw thee? ?
Wheear 'as ta bin sin ah saw thee? ?  
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at! ?  
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at! ?  
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at! 

Tha's been a cooartin' Mary Jane?
etc. 

Tha's bahn t'catch thi deeath o'cowd?
etc. 

Then we shall ha' to bury thee ?
etc.

Then t'worms 'll cum and eat thee oop ?
etc. 

Then ducks 'll cum and eat oop t'worms ?
etc.

Then we shall go an' ate oop ducks?
etc.

Then we shall all 'ave etten thee?
etc.