Back in 2008 (actually August eighth, so it was 08/08/08, if you’re into numerology), I found myself in Canberra, Australia, and a friend and I paid a visit to the wonderful Botanical Gardens there. As luck would have it, there was a steady rain, but we were both prepared for it and took turns holding each other’s umbrellas for our photography.
The fern section was spectacular, and I was particularly attracted to this new frond in a middle stage of unfolding. It seems appropriate just now, as our winter seems not quite able to give up its grasp on the land (there was snow yesterday) and relinquish it to the gentler treatments of the approaching spring.
krikitarts 
Wonderful photo!
Kind of you to say so, Harrie!
Very nice. I am not into numerology, but I do enjoy the date coincidences…such as the recent Pi day. My nephew was born on August first in 1981…8/1/81.
I hadn’t yet heard of Pi day–but of course!
I love that stage in Fern growth…cannot beat a fiddle head. I think we can say spring has started here in the U.K. even if today is wet and windy…..colour is starting to win its battle.
We can finally imagine a bit of green in the grass, but the only flowers to appear so far are the crocus and snowdrops. We can see the daffodil heads but they’re still stubbornly shut up tight. We’re supposed to get warm weather again though, in the next few days. Yaaay!
Wait and see….just be patient.
No! I don’t want to! I won’t! I can’t!
Now, Now Tantrums won’t get you anywhere
Yes, they will! Yes, they will! Yes, they will! Oh, and by the way, the proper plural is “tantra.”
Now don’t have another TantRUM
Beautiful image, Gary.
I love shooting in the rain, when well-prepared and dressed for it, and especially doing it with a friend!
Great photo. I love the shape of the new fern fronds. This is a major form in Maori art.
Yup, the koru. New life unfolding. Love it!
Thanks for linking to this beautiful image. Pretty much all the other ferns here that I can think of also have this more “normal” fiddlehead style of unfurling. I don’t know why Sword ferns have such a peculiar growth habit. It’s good to know that the Maori use this as a symbol. Thanks again!
Thanks, too, for your lovely sword fern image!