Out of Season

Granted it’s not the only type of fern to remain green in winter, but it just looks so pathetic sometimes that it’s irresistible.

I found it while exploring some ruins in the Townes forest in New Boston, NH.  We’ve had so little snow that I noticed swathes of evergreen fern all over the foundation.  They all drooped over so artfully, like waterfalls, that I began hunting some to photograph.  This one had the best light and was nicely isolated by a large indentation in the stone foundation of the barn that used to stand here.  The comparative darkness of the rocky cave made for a great backdrop for the fern in the soft morning sun.  I especially love how the curled leaves form a repeating pattern and how the exploded spores stand out against them.  Ah nature, thou art so cool.