Mimetes cucullatus, a leader from disaster

Mimetes cucullatus, the resident resprouter of this spot in the Kogelberg is leading proceedings for now. Still well below the height of the lingering dead protea branches that dominated the terrain before the fire, Mimetes plants do not normally aspire to become quite that tall.

Even now it is well appreciated by those that seek shelter from the elements and predator eyes living in this neighbourhood.

Different life forms sharing an ecological niche use each other as props, food and tools in their common struggle, their universally shared purpose.

Species survival itself is the Olympic medal of the natural world.