1. Nature

Ferns

Gorgeous ferns in all their fascinating variety.
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  • A lilting refrain

    A lilting refrain

    So many ferns line the rocky cliffs below Lasalle falls - this one caught my eye in its curvy elegance.

  • Cystopteris sp.

    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

    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

    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

    Fallen leaves lie undisturbed

    Another gorgeous fern in a bed of golden birch and aspen leaves, plus cedar and pine needles.

  • Comes a calling

    Comes a calling

    Still hanging onto their color, these ferns were irresistible and the boardwalk elevation gave me the best vantage point.

  • In keeping

    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

    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

    Art walk

    Like an elaborate mosaic, the forest floor is a riot of color, texture and shapes.

  • Tiny standout

    Tiny standout

    This little fern has lost all its color and stands out in the general chaos of the forest floor.

  • Fringe position

    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

    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

    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

    A sensitive spot

    Sensitive fern spores in fresh snow. Irresistible.

  • Don't Sugar-coat things

    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

    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

    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)

    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

    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

    Cinnamon fern fiddleheads

    All near the Prairie river the ferns are coming up!

  • Take your bearings

    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

    So sensitive

    Spore pods for sensitive fern bend in the snow and afternoon light.

  • With a passing regard

    With a passing regard

    A fern, past its prime still puts on a display.

  • The chance of some silence

    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

    Beauty twice again

    More wilted beauty in my backyard,

  • Advanced in a zig-zag

    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

    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

    I hadn't noticed at first

    Each time I change the processing with this little scene, it brings out something else.

  • Almost melted away

    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

    Final bow

    Lush ferns die back in fall, but still provide a glimpse of beauty.

  • The place you land

    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

    A soft landing

    More leaves in the maidenhair fern - one of my favorite things about fall.

  • Gets your full attention

    Gets your full attention

    Ferns change with the crisp September air. Irresistible.

  • I'm only dancing

    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

    A brief breakthrough

    More beautiful ferns and other undergrowth on the inland shores of the Spirit River.

  • Beautiful distraction

    Beautiful distraction

    A beautiful little royal fern next to my boat. Just had to play with its reflection a little bit.

  • Early signs

    Early signs

    Ferns unfurling by a big log. Just part of what makes spring so special.

  • This cold day

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

    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

    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

    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

    Signs of the season

    Leaves are turning, but not all the ferns are so they make a great contrast.

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