Fern in disguise
Among all of Britain’s ferns, Hart’s-tongue fern is probably the least fern-like. The delicate way it unfurls its leaves in spring might be the only giveaway, if you didn’t already know. If there is a less fern-like fern in Britain, then either I’ve never seen it, or its disguise is so perfect that I didn’t suspect it of being a fern.
Anyway, full marks to the Hart’s-tongue fern for being different. Speaking of being different, I think this is the first black and white image I’ve created in over four years. I guess I don’t really see that way, and I usually feel that something is lost when colour is removed from a photograph, especially one of a natural subject. But in this case, I felt the image — and the fern — demanded it.
The Hart’s-tongue fern is considered an indicator species of ancient woodland and ecological continuity. Its presence does not give any cause for disappointment here, where I found it in ancient semi-natural woodland just outside Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
More details
- 2nd June, 2025
- Canon EOS 5D Mark III
- EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM at 105.0mm
- 1/20s at f/9, ISO 100
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- Ancient woodland
- Asplenium scolopendrium
- Black and White
- Crinkled
- Damp
- Fern
- Glistening
- Hart’s-tongue fern
- High contrast
- Leaves
- Pembrokeshire
- Plant
- Pteridophyta
- UK
- United Kingdom
- Wales
- Wavy