Forest Chandelier (click to see the details – starbursts and a bit of spider silk)
The bracket fungus in this photo grows on the side of a fir tree on our property. Usually it looks rather unprepossessing, but the other day, after one of our many recent downpours, a network of raindrops clung to its edge and that ordinary bracket fungus became something very special.
It was late afternoon and as usual, I wasn’t carrying a tripod (I mostly shoot handheld). I tried a few frames using what little natural light was still filtering through the trees, but to get the depth of field I wanted while managing to hold my camera still, I needed to add some flash.
Normally I prefer natural light, but flash does serve a purpose at times. And in this case, I love the result: the repeating starbursts inside their glassy globes seem like a perfect antidote for the dreariness that comes with the short, dark days of November.
Eye on Environment 
Fun sparkles in the droplets!
Thanks Jennifer!
That is a remarkably beautiful photo….thanks, Laurie! Susan
Thank YOU, Susan! I’m glad you like it – I find raindrops are often very beautiful (despite what I might sometimes think while it’s actually raining). 🙂
What a very unique photo. I found it fascinating.
Thanks, Ida! I find the reflections in raindrops very interesting. Fortunately for me, we get lots of them here where I live! 🙂
laurie liquid light in the forest is beautiful, very different and ethereal, loove it, money in the bank, hugs renowned delta art connoiseur xoxox
LOL, Leona – I doubt I’ll get rich in the material sense from it…but we are definitely rich in fungi and other natural beauties! Glad to hear you like it so much, and hugs back to you.
Excellent Laurie! I agree – love the starbursts in the droplets.
Thanks Kenneth. You’ve probably noticed that there are two starbursts in each droplet. I think the reason is that I had a closeup diopter screwed onto my lens, thus giving an extra layer of glass and therefore an extra reflection – similar to the effect of a light shining through a double-glazed window. Double the light at a darkening time of year…that’s a good thing, methinks.
Oh what fun!
Indeed it was. Thanks for the comment, Dirk.
That, Laurie, is quite fabulous!
Thanks, Sherry!