Graf
Photography

exploring nature’s infinite connections

Notes from the Woods

seeing · environment · exploration · photography

Spring Sprouts

fern sprout

PL9729-2

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Botanical Art

10 Comments(s)

Sunday, May 5, 2013

fern sprout

A fern sprout from my front yard

I have been finding the fringe edges of a plant’s life interesting to photograph to break away somewhat from my typical spring flower photography.   I think there are interesting elements to be seen other than just when the plant or flower is at its peak blooming glory.   If they were people, would you photograph them only when they are their best?    Often it is at the fringe edges where a lot of character is revealed.

It is a theme I will be keeping my eyes open for throughout the season.   These are a couple of a starters for this year.

About the images: Photographed with my Nikon D800 and 200mm f4 Nikkor lens in my front yard.

spring sprouting plant

A mystery sprout of a plant / flower coming up in my front yard. Yet to be identified!

graf nature photo divider

this post is tagged with these subjects, you are invited to explore and wander …

cycles of nature | grafphoto | macro pictures
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

by | Mar 13, 2024 | , | 16 Comments

Botany is not one of my strong suits. Perhaps the strongest memory I have of recognizing that is from a hike some years back during a training class on vernal pools. While hiking to one specific pool, one of the class instructors, Ms. Phyllis Higman, a Senior...

read more
Spring Ephemerals

Spring Ephemerals

by | Apr 27, 2018 | | 5 Comments

Spring seems like such a fleeting season here in Michigan.   We strongly yearn for milder temps after what seems like an eternity of Winter but are not quite ready for the humidity and heat of Summer.    We want to bask for a bit in the fresh energy around us.  Though...

read more
Spring Sprung

Spring Sprung

by | Apr 21, 2014 | | 12 Comments

Well, whaddayaknow, Spring will be coming to Michigan after all.  After hitting the record snowfall mark in Detroit just last week, there were doubts.   Spring energy is certainly in the air now, and wildflowers are reaching up with some pent-up energy.   Snow be...

read more

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Thank you for spending a little bit of your day here. I truly appreciate it! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Topics

Popular Posts

Signing Photographs
Yearly Favorites

Other Sites Worth Exploring

Alex Kunz
Dear Bubbles
Diane Varner
Howard Grill
Joseph W. Smith
Franz Graf
Linda Grashoff
Bob Henry
Lynn Wohlers
Meandering Passage
Michael Russell
Michigan Nature
Monte Stevens
Planet Detroit
Six Rivers Land Conservancy
Sterling Oak
T.M.Schultze
Tom Dills

I truly appreciate your comments and feedback!.   If you are commenting for the first time – welcome!  Your comment will be held in moderation until I approve it.  This is a courtesy effort to prevent any spam from going out to post subscribers.  No worries, once approved, it’s a one-time-only process.  You are then part of the cool folks who leave thoughtful comments on blogs.  🙂

10 Comments

  1. Monte Stevens
    Monte Stevens on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    Love the colors in these two images. Great detail and perspective as well. These images show the limited knowledge have of the ecological world of plants. It causes me to want to delve into many other ecological worlds I know little about. Great images.

    • Mark
      Mark on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 10:35 AM

      I wish my botany knowledge was a lot better than it is Monte. Thanks!

  2. Tom Whelan
    Tom Whelan on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    The blue looks great, whatever the source. The hairiness of the fern looks like a newborn.
    That mystery sprout looks very familiar. Blackberry? That’s not likely in most front yards, unless you’re letting it go natural…

    • Mark
      Mark on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 4:10 PM

      Thanks Tom. Interesting comments – since I am quite uneducated on the life cycle of ferns, is a newborn more hairy than others, and would it mean a first year?

      For the mystery one, my wife didn’t know either, and she has planted most everything in our front yard. Guess we will have to wait and see! 🙂

  3. ken bello
    ken bello on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2:03 PM

    Great images, Mark. Almost alien in nature. The lighting is beautiful and the D800 detail is extraordinary.

    • Mark
      Mark on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 5:11 PM

      Thanks Ken.

  4. Jack Johnson
    Jack Johnson on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    Love these, Mark! The lighting, focus, background color & bokeh – just lovely!

    What is that background? Is there something blue in your front yard, or did you make changes to the background color?

    — Jack

    • Mark
      Mark on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 1:35 PM

      Thanks Jack. The blue comes from my processing in Lightroom and adjusting the tonality. I thought it made for a more interesting look and helped emphasize the sprout itself.

  5. Howard Grill
    Howard Grill on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    Wow…these are really nice. Love the texture and detail. I bet it will make a great series!

    • Mark
      Mark on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 1:33 PM

      Thanks Howard.