ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

The recent post by edrobinsonjr, showing shadows of plants on his wall, prompts me to bring my fantastic image to UHH.

In my case, I have a window into which the sun can shine after passing through many trees up a hill of about one hundred yards. The final rank of trees creates many pinholes, through which the images of branches further up the hill project onto my wall. (See note, below.) The result on my wall is a dance by those branches further up the hill. Usually, shadows of leaves are very blurred. But these shadows are rather precise, almost sharp as they dance. In the image I'm posting, however, there is blurring due to the motion of the leaves.

The video of the dance was remarkable, but here is one shot.

Note: The same thing happens when we see spots of light on the sidewalk that is shaded by a tree. The spots are actually images of the sun. As proof, during an eclipse of the sun those same spots are mis-shaped by the shadow of the moon.

Dancing Leaves

R.G. Loc: Scotland

It sounds like the video would be quite a spectacle. It's one of those situations where a photo will convey only some of the interest that an observer would witness. I didn't realise that branches could produce a pinhole camera effect.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Fascinating.

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

This is a fascinating image. I can see a face in it. One eye is just about in the center.

I find it amazing what you can find by really looking closely.

Ed

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I imagine this wall could take up quite a bit of ones time - quite fascinating.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

It actually depends on the time of year. The sun has to be at the right altitude and the right compass heading for this to happen. Mainly twice a year for the angle, but only once a year with the leaves.

Lucky to have it.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm sorry, but I'm just not seeing what you are. If you had not explained what is going on, I would not see this as a dance of leaves. I'm also wondering about the dark area on the right. I think I would have cropped this since it does not add to your composition. I wanted to see a larger image of this. If you use the "store original" button when posting, we can make the image larger and get a better view. Of course this also enables people to "download" the image to their computer, so I can understand why you might not have wanted to use that option.
Erich