18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Fern covered oak

An old live oak tree at the Myakka River State Park near Sarasota, Florida, covered with resurrection ferns. The ferns are bright green due to the abundant rainfall we have been recently having. During drier spells, the ferns turn brown and appear to be dead. Just hours after a rainfall, they appear to resurrect from the dead by firming-up and turning a bright green again.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2020
Date Uploaded: 08.2020
Photo Location: Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
Copyright: © Joe Saladino