the sporeprint of this fern reminds me of a tintype photograph from the 19th century. it’s the right color and it has the same sort of stern and proper demeaner as those civil war soldiers in their uniforms staring straight into the camera. once it had its portrait taken, however, this particular soldier appears to have visited a bordello or two, and then gone on a colossal bender.

fern frond with spores

saint paul, minnesota