from the maintenance shed was this nicely shaped Red Oak pup trying its hardest to grow into a big tree. As with MacLeod Field, this area is regularly mowed so this tree may not gain its maturity but now that the golf course is no more the town will likely allow some of the areas where mowing had happened to develop naturally.
Red Oak-Quercus rubra
I guess I can keep track over time and see if this develops or not.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
The delineation of the frost lets those leaves stand out even better against what’s below them. I hope you duly thanked the frost.
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I always thank my subjects. Yes, the frosty edges and warm color certainly do create a pleasing contrast with the duller background grasses.
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Wonderful !
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Thank you, Rudi!
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The resemblance to snowflakes is obvious. Frost-limned leaves as a token of what’s to come makes for a great image.
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Each leaf is shaped a little differently, just like snowflakes, as their drying is a random bit of chaos. Fortunately that “what’s to come” has not arrived quite yet but we are ready when it gets here.
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I know you have your woodpile ready!
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Yeah, I have pretty much given that away. I still find an insect or two in there.
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Now that’s a little beauty worthy of a long-time observation, Steve.
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Thanks, Peter.
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Nice! Love the heavy frost on the edges!
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I am not sure whether I would have made the image without the frost. Thanks, Reed!
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Such a pleasing shot, Steve. I love the plant’s robust symmetry rimmed in frost.
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Thanks, Eliza! Could we say that it was rimmed in rime?
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I sense a “frosty” theme in your last posts, Steve. 🙂
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You sense correctly, Tanja. And the theme will continue now that frosty weather is back.
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Frost is such a great artist and leaves his manifold marks. It’s good you are documenting his work.
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Although I dislike the cold, there is so much beauty that it creates both with frost and ice. I am looking forward to another season of frozen bubbles and suspended leaves.
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I hope you will find many bubbles and suspended leaves–and stay warm during the looking. Thank goodness for long underwear!
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And battery-heated gloves coupled with hand warmers inside the gloves to hold my Raynaud’s at bay. The rest of me is okay with the cold but my fingers…not so much. 🙂
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Yes, that too. As a photographer, it’s hard to either keep your hands in your pockets or wear warm mittens.
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I use a cable release so am able to keep the gloves on for that and for focusing.
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A spectacular find, Steve, beautifully done. I love the way the background enhances the whole picture.
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I’ve seen several “rosettes” like this recently. I guess I’ve been visiting places that are intensively managed so there are lots of dwarfed trees like this trying to grow tall.
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This is a real standout image, I love it! The way the frost outlines the edges of the leaves, and set against the background, very nice. I’m often surprised just how large leaves can grow given how small the tree sometimes is. I guess I’ve always expected small leaves on small trees, but that’s not always the case.
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Thanks, Todd. I guess the leaves know how large to grow no matter the size. he tree will grow better, I’d guess, achieving their full size to capture more light to aid in their growth. Also I think their age might have something to do with it as these are likely not newly out of the acorn but kept small due to constant hogging.
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The Red Oak is a trully a magnificent tree, and we have one in parkland not far from where I was born. It is certainly one of those stand out trees, as your photo here and with its beautiful crystalised frosted lines.
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Thanks, Pete. Who knows whether this one will attain majesty but now that it is a preserved space maybe it will.
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Another nice frosty capture, Steve, and will be interesting if you get to revisit this “pup” over time.
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It’s just down the street so I should be able unless the town decides to “manage” it. Thanks, Ellen!
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