Underfoot

Thanks for starting such a nice thread Frank:)Beautiful images..

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Originally Posted by IzzieK

You've just opened up a very interesting thread, Frank...hope to see many more contributors.

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You and I both, Isabel!

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Originally Posted by John 2

If you don't look, you don't see. I shall be looking - if this rain ever stops!

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Don't let the rain slow you down John. I'll bet you can get some great shots in the rain and with reflections in puddles that can't be obtained at any other time!

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Originally Posted by dabhand

A small rock pool - about 9inches across.

No little beasties but a variety of 'vegetation'.

http://i57.tinypic.com/25hha20.jpg

steve

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Neat Steve! Is this a salt water pool perchance? I was born on an island and I think I'm catching a whiff of seaweed. Brings back memories.

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Originally Posted by NorthernFocus

This is a great theme, Frank. I've always loved contemplating the little details in nature. Just pausing to sit and study a mossy log or a patch of forest floor reveals amazing little details. In high latitudes and/or high elevations, the tundra provides a whole world rendered in miniature. In early summer there is a plethora of tiny flowering plants that must complete the annual cycle in a matter of a few days. Due to the short growing season and severe weather conditions, everything has adapted by being very small thereby requiring few nutrients, growing low to the ground thus wind resistant, and able to sprout, bloom, and go to seed in a very short time span.

Due to being interested in this sort of thing and before I got serious about shooting wildlife I fancied that I'd get into macro. I've put that on hold but once in a while poke about a bit. Here are a couple of shots from over the years that I'm at least not ashamed of.

I believe this is bog rosemary. This shot came at some expense. It was drizzling rain, I was lying on my side on wet moss, and the Alaska mosquitoes were living up to their fierce reputation.

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/93012260.jpg

This mountain harebell was taken during a hike in the mountains near my home under much better conditions than the shot above.

http://www.pbase.com/drr1531/image/137673458.jpg

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Absolutely lovely Dan! Particularly the water drop reflections in the Bog Rosemary. Is the Alaskan Mosquito still considered to be the state bird?

The coloring and delicacy of the Mountain Harebell complements the rugged background quite nicely.

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Originally Posted by TonyW

This was taken about 10 years ago, long before I had a DSLR. It is part of my collection of photos which are just textures.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/1...0a71566f_c.jpg
+128-2842_IMG by tonyw36, on Flickr

It is a "turbal", a peat bog, right at the bottom of Argentina in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia.

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That would make a great texture Tony. Have you applied this texture to any of your other images? If so, I'd love to see the result.

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Originally Posted by Kris V

These little blue wild flowers are literally popping up everywhere.
http://i61.tinypic.com/nwea21.jpg

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Lovely in its coloring and simplicity, Kris!

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Originally Posted by flashback

Frank,
Great idea, and in accordance with your invite/challenge, I offer up these:
This was a mound of moss that rose above the leaf litter.
http://i62.tinypic.com/vovs4g.jpg

A crocus coming up in late winter.
http://i59.tinypic.com/34pc3ti.jpg

An interesting play of light on the forest floor.
http://i58.tinypic.com/k2l8hc.jpg

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I particularly like the way the red leaf reaches out and grabs my attention!

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Originally Posted by Kris V

This was taken a few years ago.
"Underground Life"
http://i61.tinypic.com/20iurgo.jpg

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I am guessing that those are ant hills? I once heard that the total weight of ants on Earth exceeds the total weight of humans. Don't know if it's true but they can sure push a lot of soil around for such tiny creatures!

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Originally Posted by bnnrcn

Thanks for starting such a nice thread Frank:)Beautiful images..

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Thank you Binnur! Jump in, the water's fine.

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Originally Posted by FrankMi

I am guessing that those are ant hills? I once heard that the total weight of ants on Earth exceeds the total weight of humans. Don't know if it's true but they can sure push a lot of soil around for such tiny creatures!

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Yes, they're ant hills. Stumbled on this pile by accident, and almost stepped on one of them.
Lesson learned: DON'T wear flip-flops when you're walking in the woods!:(

Here I am:)


http://i58.tinypic.com/18bpdd.jpg

Underfoot at the beach... Adorable wee critters

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...-01551copy.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/10yi14n.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/2lkr4ef.jpg

Just a couple from Ely, Mn (Where they shoulda held the Winter Olympics)

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Originally Posted by bnnrcn

Here I am:)

http://i58.tinypic.com/18bpdd.jpg

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Colourful Binnur, but I'm not quite sure what the orange/red object is in the middle? Can you tell us a bit about your image?

Some awesome work in this thread.

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Originally Posted by Christina S

Underfoot at the beach... Adorable wee critters

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...-01551copy.jpg

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With one main claw larger than the other, we called these Fiddler Crabs when I was a kid. My eyes were much closer to their level then!

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Originally Posted by rtbaum

http://i59.tinypic.com/10yi14n.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/2lkr4ef.jpg

Just a couple from Ely, Mn (Where they shoulda held the Winter Olympics)

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You stumped me on the first one Randy. What are the red objects and about how large are they?

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Originally Posted by NorthernFocus

Some awesome work in this thread.

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I can agree with that Dan!

It looks like I'll need to be away next week but I'll try to check in using my newly acquired iPad if I can figure out how to do so.

I do hope folks will keep posting their marvelous 'underfoot' images. I am really enjoying seeing these contributions! ;)

These are a type of lichen that is common on rocky soils of the Canadian Shield. Note the brown pine needle for scale. Here is another that I always refer to as reindeer moss; it absorbs water like a sponge and releases it slowly, providing a handy substrate for seedling grasses, trees, forbs. Lichens are quite literally the first "plants" to colonize bare rock. When I have canoed this area in the past, I would collect dried reindeer moss and dried paper birch bark. Between the two I knew that I could start a campfire anytime anywhere.

http://i61.tinypic.com/sobqpx.jpg