Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret. Or, translated, "You may drive Nature out with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back." From Horace, Book I, epistle x, line 24.

You don't need to know Latin nor have read Horace to have seen how nature resists confinement. Examples? Look around you. Sparrows build nests behind signs at stores and then forage in the weeds growing at the building's boundaries and hunt for insects or french fries in the parking lots. Gulls and pigeons thrive in human landscapes, as do foxes and raccoons, alligators and toads. Then there are the insects that do quite nicely -- ladybugs that hibernate behind building siding, dipterans that thrive in dumpsters, wasps that build nests under eaves and porches. Of course, there are the weeds, flowers, and trees which move in when properties are abandoned or neglected by people.

I'm looking for photos of these irrepressible wild things living free in the human landscape. I'd especially like to see something of the surroundings so that it's clear they're within the human landscape. I've given examples below "The Rules," but these are only a guide to what I'm thinking of. Use your imagination and show the rest of us how nature has hurried back and adapted to our alterations to the natural landscape.

This challenge will close on Thursday, 23 June, at midnight in your time zone. I will post the winners ASAP after that.

Everyone is eligible as long as the photo is captured with a Pentax/Ricoh/Samsung camera. The fine print? Here goes...

The Rules

Rules
1. Post ONE photo (max 1024x1024).
2. The photo must portray an interpretation of the theme.
3. Post your single picture in this thread and explain what motivated you to take the picture and/or how you feel it represents the weekly theme (especially if it's not obvious).
4. The challenge is interactive. Any response is welcome.
5. The judge will pick the WINNERS and choose one of them to be the judge for the next week.
6. This challenge runs for 7 days plus an additional day for the judge to choose the winners.
7. Any Pentax (or Ricoh DSLR ) camera can be used.
8. Pictures can be from any time frame, not just within the week of the current theme.
9. In case the winner of a challenge is unable to become the judge for the next challenge, then the winner will PM the #2 winner for that person to be the judge.

For the previous challenge, see WEEKLY CHALLENGE # 353 - "Down to earth."

Examples:

Returning Home for the Night


Rooted


Distant Geese As Seen From the Back Alley


Resolute


Optimism in the Face of Adversity


Greeting the Sun on a Cold Morning


Hibernation Calls


Reclamation

[Tamia]

Super photos, everyone. One more day left and plenty of room for more!

[charliezap]

After a Nor'easter the gang was out looking for food. Even the very rare headless turkey was there.--charliezap

[Bruce Clark]

After a Nor'easter the gang was out looking for food. Even the very rare headless turkey was there.--charliezap

A few of the one legged variety too.

[jcdoss]

Pigeon Holes taken with Pentax K-1 and Pentax-M 200/4 by Jason Doss, on Flickr

[Tamia]

This contest is now closed. I'll post results later today. Thanks for the great showing, folks!