green wings

I used a very narrow depth of field in this photo, thus the sharp focus on only one part and everything else is blurred. I really just wanted to focus on how the 2 leaves diverged from each other. They (the leaves) look like the wings of a bird thus the title.

Guess what?

Can you guess what this picture is? Did you guess or did you give up? Well, it's the young leaf or frond of a fern. Do you notice how intricate the design is? Ferns are really so interesting. Sometimes, I don't know what I will discover once I focus my macro lens on it. I did not actually know that this portion will be this intricate.

Can you think of a title for this picture? Please help me give a title. Thank you.

another fern...another time

This is my other entry to the "natural rim lighting contest" in a magazine (see Nov 20 post). You have to look at the edges of the fern leaves closely to see the rim light effect. See the whitish edge?

Ferns abound in my garden. I did not plant them, they just appeared and seemed to have colonized a corner. I am lucky they decided to stay because they are very nice subjects for photos. They are not only graceful but they also exhibit patterns that are rather pleasing to the eye.

ferns

Have you ever looked at a fern up close? You have? Then I'm sure you recognize this photo. However if you haven't, then take a look at this photo. These are fern fronds (leaves of the fern) showing the sporangia (brown dots)underside. Sporangia (sporangium, singular)are the reproductive organs of ferns. If the sporangia are dark brown like these, then that means that the fern is mature and ready for reproduction. Inside the sporangia are the spores. When each sporangium breaks, the spores are scattered and develop into new ferns if they land in areas where there is enough moisture.

I love taking pictures of ferns because they exhibit such graceful and sometimes exquisite patterns. Don't you agree?