I visited a nearby pond this morning to check on how my favorite bacterial film is doing these days. Seems like an odd thing to say eh? For those that may not recall, the colorful film here is created by a natural decaying process of plant materials and decomposing bacteria.
I tend to like these images with only a single leaf, and the pond was getting quite packed with them by now. It was hard to isolate something into a pleasing composition. But with some careful looking, you can find one with enough “colorful filmage” around it. I was able to return with 3 different images that I liked. (see more here.) Who thought decomposition could be so colorful?
Thank you again for the kind comments David, Diane, Lana.
Very lovely. We don’t get much by way of fall foliage in my neck of the bayou, unfortunately. One of these days I need to head north again.
Beautiful, Mark. I worked a lot with chalk pastels for years and the texture and bright colors reminds me of this medium. You definitely have an artist’s eye as so many of your images have this painterly quality (e.g. your abstract rock photographs).
You have aptly shown that there is beauty even in pond scum. I have often seen that film and never thought about what causes it. Nonetheless, it makes lovely photographs.
Thanks folks!
I would have just assumed it was an oil slick, so thanks for the education. It’s a great image – love the colors!
Roberta, the one way to tell the difference if it is oil vs. this natural film is that oil will rejoin together if you poke at it and disrupt the surface. This stuff tends to break apart and stay that way.
Love the film colors and the leaf details. I know this bacterial stuff from other people’s images, but I’ve never “seen” it myself.
Wonderful photograph (:
And, so luminescent. I like it when a photographer notices something and follows it over a period of time. When I’m out in nature and notice something small and almost insignificant, I wonder how many people walk by and never notice. That’s one of the reasons photographers are needed. Excellent image and I sure enjoyed your gallery.
Thanks for the comments Monte. Although I do wonder how many others notice, I then also wonder if it really matters? And if they did, would they want to investigate further about what it is they are seeing? Perhaps my cynicism is showing, but I imagine most people just don’t have the time or inclination. Photographers can be known to fixate on the most peculiar things! 🙂
🙂
Mark, this makes me want to go and check on my own favorite spots for this type of beautiful decay. But, we may be a little behind you on the seasons. Lovely indeed!
Earl, I have found that stagnant ponds are more likely to have some of this, particularly around edges or small offshoots. Thanks very much.
Not only colorful, but captivatingly beautiful. Well done.
Thanks Christopher