Unfurling fern frond

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Unfurling fern frond

April 17, 2020 by Mike Powell

I love the beautiful curves a fiddlehead forms as it gradually unfurls into a full-fledged fern frond. I have no idea how long this entire process takes, but it was amazing to see the various stages of development of the many fiddleheads that I spotted on Tuesday while exploring in Prince William County.

The clouds in the sky and the unseasonably cold temperatures seemed to have prompted all of the dragonflies to remain in secluded spots and I did not spot a single one that day.

Posted in abstract, Art, Flowers, Nature, Photography, spring | Tagged Canon 50D, ferns, fiddlehead, Prince William County VA, spiral, Tamron 180mm | 20 Comments

20 Responses

on April 17, 2020 at 6:02 am | Reply sv-anui.com

Beautiful curves and shapes, Mike.
- on April 17, 2020 at 6:36 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris. It is fascinating to see what grabs my attention now during my less frequent outings to a limited number of locations. I think that I am drawn increasingly to simple shapes and colors, like those of these ferns.
on April 17, 2020 at 6:41 am | Reply Ann Parziale

Those are stunningly beautiful! Thank you once again.
on April 17, 2020 at 11:55 am | Reply Michael Scandling

Beautiful, and alliterative too. 😉
- on April 17, 2020 at 7:39 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Michael. I figured that you and several others of the “usual suspects” would note the alliteration. It’s fun to play with words. 🙂
on April 17, 2020 at 1:59 pm | Reply Ellen

I am by no means a botanist! But judging by the ferns that are growing up on the hill beyond the stonewall in the backyard, it takes them several days to fully unfurl. I would venture to guess that the location of the plant and the temperature figures into that too. I would love to see a time lapse video of the process. These photos with the blurred area behind the fiddlehead allows the beautiful details to be clearly seen and enjoyed, especially when enlarged. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
- on April 18, 2020 at 9:57 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I came across this video time lapse of a fern on YouTube that I thought you might enjoy. 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c9Zi3WFVRc
  - on April 18, 2020 at 5:19 pm nliakos
    
    This video is incredible. It’s like a sensual dance, the fern dancing with the light. Thank you!
on April 17, 2020 at 5:33 pm | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

Nice shots of a just a small part of the beauty of spring.
on April 17, 2020 at 6:24 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Very Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing your images! Here in NJ they closed all the parks and recreation areas. Some even have Police cars at the entrances. If not they just block the entrances. Glad you can still get out!
- on April 17, 2020 at 7:37 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Reed. What they have done in a number of places in our area is close the parks to any vehicular traffic, but often the trails are still open. One exception, though, has been the boardwalks of the parks–they are closed. In the huge park where I shot the ferns, it is about a 90 minute walk from where I park to get to the area I was exploring. It is a hilly forested area, so I am definitely getting my exercise when I do manage to make it there.
on April 17, 2020 at 8:10 pm | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

Ah the beauty you found!
on April 17, 2020 at 8:41 pm | Reply Dan Antion

Thanks for finding nature’s marvels for us, Mike.
- on April 18, 2020 at 9:57 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. No matter how much I see, there always seem to be new surprises waiting for me, even when I visit familiar locations.
  - on April 18, 2020 at 12:38 pm Dan Antion
    
    That’s been a nice surprise about this lockdown period.
on April 17, 2020 at 9:38 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

They remind me of caterpillars in defensive posture!
- on April 18, 2020 at 9:56 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I can see that. I definitely have spotted caterpillars curled up like that.
on April 18, 2020 at 2:34 am | Reply krikitarts

I love fiddleheads, as you know. You have some real beauties here!
on April 18, 2020 at 8:55 am | Reply nliakos

I too love to see ferns unfurling their fronds…. it’s like magic!
- on April 18, 2020 at 8:56 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Indeed…the magic of nature. 🙂