Raindrops on bracket fungus with sparkles of light in lower drops

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.


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About Laurie MacBride, Eye on Environment

Photographer focused on nature and the BC coast

14 responses »

  1. Fun sparkles in the droplets!

  2. Susan's avatar Susan says:

    That is a remarkably beautiful photo….thanks, Laurie! Susan

  3. What a very unique photo. I found it fascinating.

  4. Leona Herd's avatar Leona Herd says:

    laurie liquid light in the forest is beautiful, very different and ethereal, loove it, money in the bank, hugs renowned delta art connoiseur xoxox

  5. 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.

  6. Dirk Huysman's avatar Dirk Huysman says:

    Oh what fun!

  7. Sherry Galey's avatar Sherry Galey says:

    That, Laurie, is quite fabulous!

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