The Flickr Fernfronds Image Generatr

St Andrews Botanic Garden

This tranquil waterfall, captured in the heart of Triberg, Germany, showcases the natural beauty of the region. The silky flow of the water contrasts with the lush green moss and surrounding vegetation, creating a peaceful and serene scene. Triberg is famous for its cascading waterfalls and picturesque Black Forest landscapes, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.

This is the Tarra River which flows through the Tarra-Bulga National Park near Balook, in the state of Victoria, Australia.
The Park is known for its giant Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies and ancient myrtle beeches, and has some of the best examples of original cool temperate rainforests of the Strzelecki Ranges.

Cambo Gardens, Fife

Welsh Poppy with a fern in the background - HMBT & HMT#1

South Island, New Zealand.

~ posted for December's Explore Takeover - patterns

I took my photo of fern fronds unfurling to Deep Dream Generator, and the results touched my imagination. I'm still on the fence with AI, especially when my photo is not involved at all, but I instantly fell in love with this rendering.

"The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge."
~ Albert Einstein

I loved this one as well :-)

A wonderful magnifying glass which I thought was made by Dom's dad, but it wasn't. It's fully posable and has two clips for holding the subject in place - HSoS!

near the hazel trees by the stream
a little coolth during the heatwave

PADDY: "Scout! Scout where are you?"

SCOUT: "Here I am, Paddy! Do you want me?"

PADDY: "Look! Mr. Postman has just been, and he has brought a letter for you." *Pushes envelope addressed to Scout across the table to him.*

SCOUT: "A letter? For me? How exciting!" *Takes envelope.*

PADDY: "Do you know who it is from, Scout?"

SCOUT: *Looks at both sides of the envelope.* "Well Paddy... there are stamps from a place called Nederland." *Scratches head with paw.* "I don't know that place."

PADDY: "Oh yes you do, Scout. See if you can recognise the writing."

SCOUT: *Looks again.* "Oh!" *Excited.* "It's from Peter, mijn beste vriend, in Holland!"

PADDY: "Yes Scout. Holland is known as the Netherlands too, which is the name on the stamp."

SCOUT: "I wonder what is inside. It is light and..." *Pushes top of the envelope.* "Noisy in a crunchy kind of way."

PADDY: "Best you open it then, Scout."

SCOUT: *Opens envelope and pulls out dried leaves.*

PADDY: "Why Scout! Peter has sent you some pretty leaves!"

SCOUT: "Oh no!" *Distressed.*

PADDY: "What is it, Scout? What's the matter?"

SCOUT: "Oh Paddy! Something terrible has happened! These leaves were supposed to be green! And look, these feathery dried bits are supposed to be fern fronds! They were green! Now they aren't! What happened?" *Starts to cry.*

PADDY: "Oh, please don't cry, Scout."

SCOUT: "But Paddy! They were supposed to be green!" *Cries more.* "Do... do you think a... a witch put a spell on them? Oh no! Oh Peter, mijn beste vriend! Your gift was cursed by a wicked witch!" *Cries even more.*

PADDY: "There, there, Scout." *Puts arm around Scout and gives him a snuffly kiss.* "It's alright."

SCOUT: "But a witch put a spell on the leaves, Paddy! They were green!" *Sobs.*

PADDY: "Now, now, Scout. Dry your eyes. A witch didn't put a spell on the leaves."

SCOUT: *Sniffs.* "She didn't, Paddy?"

PADDY: "No Scout. It has taken a week for the envelope of leaves to get here, and because they were taken from a living plant, they shriveled up and changed colour. Mijn beste vriend Oleg tried to warn Peter this would happen, Scout."

SCOUT: *Looks at leaves and sniffs more.* "Well... well even though they aren't green any more, they are still very beautiful, Paddy."

PADDY: "Of course they are. Look this one has some red in it."

SCOUT: "Oh, and this one is so pretty, Paddy! It is all golden! I love it!"

PADDY: "See Scout! What a wonderful present Peter sent to you!"

SCOUT: "Oh! You are so right Paddy!"

PADDY: "Excellent! Now, no more tears please, and make sure you say thank you to Peter."

SCOUT: "Oh Peter! Peter mijn beste vriend! Guess what? Your envelope of leaves and fern fronds arrived! They aren't green any more. They changed colour on the way from your house to mine. But look! They changed into such pretty colours that I love them just as much as if they were green. In fact, I wouldn't mind what colour they are, mijn beste vriend, because they came from you! I am going to put these leaves with my special treasures, like the pretty feathers Mama Kim sent me or the ladybird brooch that Mummy June sent me. These are special treasures, and whenever I look at them, I will think of you, and I will feel your love for me! Ik hou zoooooo veel van jou! Berenkusjes van Scout, je allerbeste vriend!"

My bears Paddy and Scout have made very good friends with two bears in Holland called Peter and Oleg (www.flickr.com/photos/40262251@N03/galleries/721577154558...) and their Mummy (www.flickr.com/photos/66094586@N06/) . Peter and Scout are very similar and have become best friends. When Scout commented on the autumn leaves being all different colours other than green, Peter packaged up some green leaves and fern fronds to send Scout some green of spring. You can see the picture here: www.flickr.com/photos/66094586@N06/52159623697/in/datepos..., or in the first comment below. Isn't that lovely of him? I'm so glad that even though the leaves shriveled and changed colour on the journey that Scout still treasures them as special gifts from his best friend!

My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.

He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.

Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.

We watched a video this week where the photographer discussed the question of “ Are you taking a picture or making a picture?” There was no definitive answer to that but it made you think about the differences. I think I “made this picture” because I made some deliberate choices to get the end result. I used a soft DOF to get an artistic look to the scene. Then I turned the image on it’s side. It brought the fresh fern fronds to life instead of just hanging down.

...."the art of interpretation is not to play what is written"
Pablo Casals

I mean tendrils ;-)

following a little swim in the garden
my first try at image mirroring...or whatever it's called...
what is it called? this is not brilliant but it made me smile...

and if you haven't seen the wonderful documentary 'My Octopus Teacher' there's a little introduction here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XzEvXCq5gs :-)

This photograph is from a photo-walk and tour around RSPB Aylesbear Common, which is part of Meridian Raw CIC’s Walking with Cameras series.

This photo-walk was part of the Chasing the Light Photography Project at Aylebeare Common on Tuesday 19th October, 2021