Bracken

... with 'cut out' treatment on Photoshop.

Am currently reading Lorna Doone for the first time - it's one of the classics that I have on my DS, so it's great to read in bed with the light off. I remember seeing it serialised on black-and-white TV, way back in the early '60s, and only have a few (but vivid) memories of it. Decided it was time that I read it. It's gripping stuff, and also contains wonderful descriptive passages.

The hero, John Ridd, is able to hide in the bracken as he avoids the dreaded Doones of Exmoor ...

"Along and down the tiny banks, and nodding into one another, even across main channel, hung the brown arcade of ferns; some with gold tongues languishing; some with countless ear-drops jerking, some with great quilled ribs uprising and long saws aflapping; others cupped, and fanning over with the grace of yielding, even as a hollow fountain spread by winds that have lost their way.

Deeply each beyond other, pluming, stooping, glancing, glistening, weaving softest pillow lace, coying to the wind and water, when their fleeting image danced, or by which their beauty moved"

from Lorna Doone by R D Blackmore.