Wednesday Wonderment – pt. 2

Feb 3, 2016

The Wednesday Wonderment series examines some of the things that amaze and inspire me; lots will be in nature, but there may be some surprises.

20140222-Perfect-Folds_57A5939 — *Perfect Folds*

“What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism.”
― Albert Einstein

Today’s image is all about structure. Nature provides us with a dazzling array of structures that are optimized for the function that they perform. Such is the case here with this palm leaf, which is perfectly folded to provide the strength needed to support its size, which allows it to capture as many of the sun’s vital rays as possible.

Structure that lends strength is seen in many places in nature, maybe none more dramatic than the giant sequoias.

There is also beauty in these forms beyond just the functional aspect; this beauty has us coming back time and again to appreciate a level of perfection that is rarely achieved in human endeavors.

What structure in nature is your favorite? What draws you in when you look at it?

Thank you for reading this post; I hope you enjoyed it!

Technical Details

This image was captured with a Canon EOS 5D MkIII with a 17-40mm F4 lens. F-stop used was f/8 at 1/25 second, ISO 640.

11 responses

v4vikey

February 3, 2016 at 7:53 am

Beautiful …!!

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1. jansenphoto
  
  February 3, 2016 at 11:02 am
  
  Thank you very much!!
  
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Nícia

February 3, 2016 at 8:35 am

My favourite is how nature “package” their fruits, she protects them and take care of them. I can see so much love in such a simple seed-pod. Look at peas, they are supported by a a little branch, all perfectly in line. Or look at broad beans, they are wrapped in a gentle pouch, that seems so fragile but does their work so incredibly well! It’s amazing.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photo and this valuable information, it inspired me. 🙂

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1. jansenphoto
  
  February 3, 2016 at 8:48 am
  
  Glad you like it. You are 100% right in that Nature’s designs are optimized in beautiful ways.
  
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Nícia

February 3, 2016 at 9:17 am

Reblogged this on and commented:
I was inspired by this post to talk about nature and love. Many of you don’t know already, but nature is my goddess. I’m not pagan or anything, I just see nature as the ultimate perfection. She is my role model.
Looking at nature I can see all the features we should embrace, even the not so nice ones.
She is strong, and yet gentle. She is intelligent and has no mercy. She is beautiful and functional.

Maybe it is strange to talk about love and nature as if it was the same thing. But if you’re attentive, you’ll see what I mean.

There are so many examples that it isn’t possible to write about them all. So, here’s an idea for another challenge: finding the love around you. But that’s a whole other post. 😉

I’m always in awe when I look at broad beans. Did you notice already how they are wrapped? They have multiple layers, and then a little pouch that embraces them. It all seems so fragile, but they provide the necessary protection, warmth and space they need to grow. That is love, isn’t it? (Oh and the way they are meant to be open? Isn’t that clever, and simple, and amazing?)

Look at dying leaves. Their colours of fire and gold. They share a balmy feeling. Look at the way they fall, so gently as they were being dandled. Look at the floor they lay on, it feels like a royal carpet. If this isn’t love, what is?

Look at all the mothers protecting their children: mammals, birds, or any other class, really. They die for them, if they need to. If you don’t feel the love here, I don’t know where you’ll find it.

For me, love IS ALWAYS the answer. No matter the problem. You don’t need many friends, or a partner, or a family in order to feel the love around you. It sure helps, as we only know how to live in groups, but love is always with you. If you dare to see/feel it.

Have the best day ever,

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justbluedutch

February 3, 2016 at 9:31 am

Wonderful entry for the Wednesday Wonderment! You can’t really go wrong with nature. This leaf reminds me so much of the Anahaw leaves in Ph. It’s their national leaf. Out from this leaf you can create so many things. Natives use it as umbrella on rainy days, while other crafty people creates wonderful things out of it. My favorite so far is a mat and woven rug made out of it. The patterns are so intricate. Great post all in all. Thanks for the inspiration behind this image.

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1. jansenphoto
  
  February 3, 2016 at 10:46 am
  
  Thank you for these great observations and the details on the usage of leaves in the Philippines. That is really interesting and a testament to the strength and design of these leaves.
  
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Miriam

February 4, 2016 at 5:46 pm

This is a really stunning photo. Nature in general inspires me. Out in the woods,in the rainforest surrounded by medieval looking plants and looking upwards through ferns, touch of blue sky through greenery … I love it all. Lovely to find your blog, Frank!

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1. jansenphoto
  
  February 4, 2016 at 6:37 pm
  
  Sounds like an ideal place for photography! Thank you!!
  
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Leah

February 5, 2016 at 11:48 am

Fantastic picture with just enough information to prove to any nonbelievers that nature is the most amazing engineer.

I am drawn to plants, often sending pictures to my mom, who shares this fascination. Lichens, mosses, and fungi are some of my favourites.

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1. jansenphoto
  
  February 5, 2016 at 11:58 am
  
  Thank you! I agree that there is marvelous engineering at work.
  
  Lichens, mosses and fungi are amazing. I may have to do some macro photography with them to explore their internal construction even more!
  
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