When photographing leaves, the colour is so important. To take the colour away draws attention to shape - and one of the things I like about monochrome photography is that shape (whether real or made by light and shadow) comes to the fore.
A Hart is a male deer so the leaves of this fern are like his tongue.
This fern likes to grow on shady banks where there is water running through the earth so it reminds me too of the metrical psalm which begins
'As pants the hart for cooling streams When heated in the chase, So longs my soul, oh God, for thee, And thy refreshing grace.'
The White Hart is also an almost mystical creature strongly associated with the middle ages . . . and it is a common name for a pub (where other forms of refreshment are on offer!).
Hello Lene - not holes but spores on the underside of the leaf. I'll have to see if I can get a photo which shows them properly. (Not sure if I have the right camera for that though in the the woodland light.)
J asked about them too and I'm glad because it is the way they show so strikingly here that made me want to post the photo.
Well, now you know - a hart has a black and white tongue!
But seriously - as I've mentioned to the others, shown in colour you notice the plant, not the shape and not so much the stripes. If you care to look at
The leaves of the fern look big in the picture because they are close-up. In 'real life' the longest on this plant are probably about fifteen inches (38cms)long.
I find measurments horribly difficult to decide in retrospect. When it stops raining I'll have to scramble up the bank and check . . . when it stops raining . . . oh! when it stops raining . . . will it ever stop raining?
(I expect you have nice, crisp days, even if they are colder and perhaps darker than here?)
It's interesting, your comment, because I have never before thought of the texture of this fern because it is mostly smooth. But you are right, the presence of the lines of spores breaks it up, providing rough surfaces as well as a change in colour.
Yes, there are several 'versions' of Asplenium Scolopendrium. Round here they are mostly of this kind - I suppose because it is the right habitat for them - and at certain times of year, like now when other plants are dieing down, they are specially noticeable.
Your comment has made me think I will look out for other forms of this fern too. I think there are some growing from a wall . . .
As that you are into photography, I thought that you may be interested in a monthly blog posting called “5 on the fifth” where You can either take 5 random pictures of anything that happens to you on the 5th of November (or the days leading up to it) or perhaps go for my suggested theme.
Just post your pictures on your own blog and then post a comment on MY blog with your name, location and link to your site – I then update the entry so the world has your link. Remember to mention my blog on your own blog so that your visitors get to see the other contributions.
A very striking image. Sometimes I take pictures of plants just to learn more about them; images like this help me remember how beautiful plants are, just as objects. Three Rivers Daily Photo
I often find I notice something in the photo of a plant that I didn't see at the time. With wild plants, this is especially rewarding because it's simply not possible to look properly at something in detail while one is slipping down a bank, sinking into mud, being buffeted by a gale or trying to explain to mystified passers by why one is crawling around in the undergrowth!
46 comments:
leaves are best subjects for monochrome too.. thanks for sharing..
mine is up too..
http://faeriejan.blogspot.com/2009/11/ordinary-lamp.html
That is new one to me, but a very appropriate name, especially if you spell it Heart. then the name could have been given by an anatomist
ARe the stripes gouges in the leaf or just a darker colour?
Ohh - are those stripes holes? Nature is creative :) Great monochrome post.
Very special photo.
I have always wondered at the colour of a hart's tongue...:)
Drama of the leaves. Nicely done Lucy.
It seemed to be so very very big :-)
Like the picture.
That was a photo in my taste.
Great shot - I wanted to touch my screen to feel those textures!
Hello January.
When photographing leaves, the colour is so important. To take the colour away draws attention to shape - and one of the things I like about monochrome photography is that shape (whether real or made by light and shadow) comes to the fore.
Lucy
Hello Rune.
A Hart is a male deer so the leaves of this fern are like his tongue.
This fern likes to grow on shady banks where there is water running through the earth so it reminds me too of the metrical psalm which begins
'As pants the hart for cooling streams
When heated in the chase,
So longs my soul, oh God, for thee,
And thy refreshing grace.'
The White Hart is also an almost mystical creature strongly associated with the middle ages . . . and it is a common name for a pub (where other forms of refreshment are on offer!).
Lucy
Hello J.
The lines on the undersides of the Hart's Tongue leaves are where it keeps its spores from which new ferns will grow.
Lucy
Hello Lene - not holes but spores on the underside of the leaf. I'll have to see if I can get a photo which shows them properly. (Not sure if I have the right camera for that though in the the woodland light.)
J asked about them too and I'm glad because it is the way they show so strikingly here that made me want to post the photo.
I agree - nature is pretty creative.
Lucy
Hello Riet.
I'm glad you like the Hart's Tongue Fern.
Here's its Latin name - Asplenium Scolopendrium. Isn't that brilliant?
Lucy
Beautiful and lovely shot !! Fantastic image !!Unseen Rajasthan
Hello Aileni.
Well, now you know - a hart has a black and white tongue!
But seriously - as I've mentioned to the others, shown in colour you notice the plant, not the shape and not so much the stripes. If you care to look at
http://picturesjustpictures.blogspot.com/2009/11/harts-tongue-fern-asplenium.html
you will see it . . . but I expect this is a very familiar plant to you in Wales and Ireland. Is that right?
Lucy
Thanks, Aware Writer.
They are dramatic aren't they?
They make me think of a pre-historic jungle.
Lucy
Very lovely photo, I have never seen this plant before and find it fascinating.
I agree with your comments on monochrome, one is forced to see the shape and details rather than being distracted by the color.
The Road to Here
great shots.. i have a pair of similar plants at the side of my main door.. a relative of this plant but not the same.
Nice choice for monochrome. The black and white really emphasize the patterns on the leaves.
Hello Anne.
The leaves of the fern look big in the picture because they are close-up. In 'real life' the longest on this plant are probably about fifteen inches (38cms)long.
I find measurments horribly difficult to decide in retrospect. When it stops raining I'll have to scramble up the bank and check . . . when it stops raining . . . oh! when it stops raining . . . will it ever stop raining?
(I expect you have nice, crisp days, even if they are colder and perhaps darker than here?)
Lucy
Hello @nemonem.
Glad you like the Hart's Tongue Fern.
Lucy
Hello Quasi Serendipita.
(Bt the way, I like the name you have chosen.)
It's interesting, your comment, because I have never before thought of the texture of this fern because it is mostly smooth. But you are right, the presence of the lines of spores breaks it up, providing rough surfaces as well as a change in colour.
Lucy
Thank you Unseen in Rajasthan.
Four exclamation marks!
Lucy
Hello Squirrel Queen.
Glad you like the fern photo.
I've tried to comment on your blog several times but haven't managed to get the comments page to open for me.
There are a couple of other blogs I always find it difficult to access but I will try again.
Lucy
Hello Beng Beng.
Yes, there are several 'versions' of Asplenium Scolopendrium. Round here they are mostly of this kind - I suppose because it is the right habitat for them - and at certain times of year, like now when other plants are dieing down, they are specially noticeable.
Your comment has made me think I will look out for other forms of this fern too. I think there are some growing from a wall . . .
Lucy
Hello Robin.
I think the lines are the nearest a plant gets to face paint!
Lucy
Nice to see leaves in monochrome.
Thanks Della.
Lucy
Fantastic! It seems to have been hand painted!
Hello Sylvia - and thanks.
Lucy
Beautiful monochrome.You have a special subject...and you captured it nicely.
Looking at the other photos, I must say you are a pro.
By the way, thanks for dropping by my blog and for commenting on my very first entry post for the monochrome weekly.
A blessed Sunday to you.
As that you are into photography, I thought that you may be interested in a monthly blog posting called “5 on the fifth” where You can either take 5 random pictures of anything that happens to you on the 5th of November (or the days leading up to it) or perhaps go for my suggested theme.
Just post your pictures on your own blog and then post a comment on MY blog with your name, location and link to your site – I then update the entry so the world has your link. Remember to mention my blog on your own blog so that your visitors get to see the other contributions.
Interested?
Here’s a link to my blog:
http://thestateofthenationuk.blogspot.com/
and a link to the “5 on the fifth” entries:
http://thestateofthenationuk.blogspot.com/search/label/5%20on%20the%20fifth
What a great shot. It almost looks metalic. I wasn't sure at first that it was a plant.
Hello Misalyn.
Glad you like the fern - and the other pictures too!
I was delighted to visit your blog. It is good to see such a different part of the world.
Lucy
Thank you for the invitation, Stephen but, as I explain on your blog, I like to post only one photo a day.
Best wishes.
Lucy
Hello Carver - yes, I can imagine these leaves in beaten copper.
Lucy
Stunning image Lucy!
Is one of the best today:)
Thank you Robert. That is a very kind thing to say.
Lucy
A very striking image. Sometimes I take pictures of plants just to learn more about them; images like this help me remember how beautiful plants are, just as objects.
Three Rivers Daily Photo
Hello Three Rivers.
I often find I notice something in the photo of a plant that I didn't see at the time. With wild plants, this is especially rewarding because it's simply not possible to look properly at something in detail while one is slipping down a bank, sinking into mud, being buffeted by a gale or trying to explain to mystified passers by why one is crawling around in the undergrowth!
Lucy
what a creative shot! :)
u may view mine here
Thank you, Marice.
Lucy
Nice monochrome picture!
Thanks Irene.
Lucy
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