A lilting refrain
So many ferns line the rocky cliffs below Lasalle falls - this one caught my eye in its curvy elegance.
Cystopteris sp.
At least that's what I think this fern is, one among several clusters that I found on a rock in the Pine river just below Lasalle falls. Just couldn't reisist how lovely and tenacious they are.
Under wraps
A look into the beauty and lushness of the White Cedar swamp - the fern caught my eye and then the log, so I did my best to frame them with the surrounding trees and vegetation.
Away with the fairies
Maidenhair fern is magical - it's light and airy and moves on the slightest air currents. So when I saw the afternoon sun shining through them in the yard I went out to see what I could do. Wide open, fast shutter speed, breezy backlighting. It says fall to me.
Fallen leaves lie undisturbed
Another gorgeous fern in a bed of golden birch and aspen leaves, plus cedar and pine needles.
Comes a calling
Still hanging onto their color, these ferns were irresistible and the boardwalk elevation gave me the best vantage point.
In keeping
The mix of leaves, cedar sprigs, moss, grass and even a wee bit of cranberry, set off these two ferns so well that I had to stop. The elevation of the boardwalk gave me this nice perpective.
Vibrant to the end
Another scene on the forest floor from the boardwalk through the Cedar swamp at Rice Lake. A gorgeous little addition to the Ice Age Trail. The ferns were at this perfect lemon yellow color so they stood out after the little bit of snow melted.
Art walk
Like an elaborate mosaic, the forest floor is a riot of color, texture and shapes.
Tiny standout
This little fern has lost all its color and stands out in the general chaos of the forest floor.
Fringe position
On the side of a huge square rock on Breakwater falls is this rock cap fern just clinging to life. It's only a couple inches wide. Check out that all the fronds are producing spores - I guess when under pressure, life goes all out!
Hope goes forth
Just a little bit of forest that caught my attention. Everything was soaked and I had to move some branches out of the way, but I kind of like it.
Oak fern
Looking down at some fresh Gymnocarpium dryopteris) and Canada mayflower leaves. These ferns are small and delicate and produce fronds all summer and so stay this bright lime green. They are soft and delicate and love damp, cool forests.
A sensitive spot
Sensitive fern spores in fresh snow. Irresistible.
Don't Sugar-coat things
frost on ferns is so irresisible to me. I hope there's frost again tomorrow night.
When the call came
Finally it snowed and I got out to see what I could find. These rock cap ferns called to me from their perch atop a snow-covered boulder.
Bracken sea
Just after the sun dipped below the treeline I found this arrangement of ferns that I liked quite a bit. Glad I had the very tall tripod.
Glade Fern (Homalosorus pycnocarpos)
A rare and protected species in Wisconsin. I was lucky enough to see and photograph it on a field trip with the Wisconsin NFR.
Mending brings you back
One day this and a few other fiddleheads were there and the next they weren't. Deer? Not sure.
Cinnamon fern fiddleheads
All near the Prairie river the ferns are coming up!
Take your bearings
After withstanding several snowfalls, these ferns are finally bent under their burden. Went off trail and fought a bush to get this shot. Eventually fell on my butt and laughted.
So sensitive
Spore pods for sensitive fern bend in the snow and afternoon light.
With a passing regard
A fern, past its prime still puts on a display.
The chance of some silence
Clinging to its last green, this bit of fern made a lovely, frosty contrast with the leaves below.
Beauty twice again
More wilted beauty in my backyard,
Advanced in a zig-zag
When I spied some still green ferns next to my driveway, i got right in there before the sun could melt the frost, but still lit up the scene. Joy.
Like your need to breathe
Soft morning light on drifts of leaves and wilting ferns. Perfect to play with my new long lens.
I hadn't noticed at first
Each time I change the processing with this little scene, it brings out something else.
Almost melted away
As the camera set the white balance, it reminds me of how things look with some of my Oakley lenses.
Final bow
Lush ferns die back in fall, but still provide a glimpse of beauty.
The place you land
One of my favorite fall pictures is of leaves caught by something on their way back to the earth.
A soft landing
More leaves in the maidenhair fern - one of my favorite things about fall.
Gets your full attention
Ferns change with the crisp September air. Irresistible.
I'm only dancing
Some ferns and other plants waving in the wind. I've been meaning to do more of this kind of thing.
A brief breakthrough
More beautiful ferns and other undergrowth on the inland shores of the Spirit River.
Beautiful distraction
A beautiful little royal fern next to my boat. Just had to play with its reflection a little bit.
Early signs
Ferns unfurling by a big log. Just part of what makes spring so special.
This cold day
Following deer tracks in the woods I came upon this evergreen fern that didn't even get a single nibble! Just next to is is a bunch of leaves kicked up by the does.
Glory asunder
Another handheld shot w/the legacy Olympus 135mm f2.8 lens. This is probably at f4 or so, but it isn't too soft. I like the color contrast with the leaves.
Disquiet
Now I have the tripod and switched to the legacy Olympus 35mm f2 lens. It's a little tight and I should have pulled back a bit, but I like the low perspective. This lens is still crisp, but doesn't have as much contrast as modern lenses.
Fading echoes
Another with the OM 35mm f2 lens at probably f5.6. There's some chromatic aberation, but pretty good for an old lens and I like the fly which I didn't notice IRL. I like the way the series turned out; captures some of the end of fall malaise that sets in before the snow flies.
Questlight
It's worth waiting for the breeze to die down when the ferns look like this. OM 90mm at f4
I found this gorgeous group of (I think) cinnamon fern fiddleheads on the south side of a tree. You can really tell where the sun hits and where the pockets of warmth are by this kind of early growth. OM 90mm at probably f8 or so.
A visceral reaction
Rock cap fern is so photogenic, even in winter when it curls and reveals its spores. The captured snow inside the leaves is just a bonus!
Theme park of fancy
Oh how I love the fact that Wisconsin has so much maidenhair fern. I never get tired of seeing it or photographing it. This little group was still relatively green (sheltered from the frost) and had a scattering of raindrops.
Signs of the season
Leaves are turning, but not all the ferns are so they make a great contrast.
