Saturday, February 23, 2013

Spanish Moss ... up close & personal


It seems that for many people, the so-called Spanish Moss has a romantic connection. Look carefully. It is awful - scratchy, and full of little critters and personally, I believe it is damaging to trees, although one tree expert said that was a myth. Notice it has just about suffocated this magnolia tree.

22 comments:

Jack said...

Oh, Lowell, you are an old curmudgeon. Spanish moss is lovely and atmospheric.

But you already knew you are a curmudgeon and you revel in it!

Linda said...

Wow, great capture, Lowell.

Randy said...

Wow, that is some thick stuff. Make sure not to remain standing in one spot for too long!

Kate said...

I suppose you can look at it in several different ways; it's great for photography!!

RedPat said...

It looks like it is suffocating that magnolia. Ay that density, it has to be detrimental to the host tree!

Hilda said...

Great. Between you and Lois (Tallahasee), I will never, ever go near Spanish Moss for the rest of my life.

Andy said...

The first time I saw Spanish moss it looked so intriguing. I guess looks can be deceiving.

Anonymous said...

It is a real mish mash of a mess!

Cezar and Léia said...

Looks like a Spanish mess to me... :)
God bless you!
Cezar

cieldequimper said...

Lol @ Cezar... It does a bit...

Judy said...

That is a nice close up of the stuff. I have never seen it that close. I don't see how that could not be bad for the host tree.

Sharon said...

I always looks so pretty hanging from those trees in front of huge Plantation home. I had no idea it was such and ugly mess up close. I agree with Ceil, Cezar's comment is great.

Birdman said...

I'll look from afar next time I stand admiring some.

Small City Scenes said...

I will agree with----Oh surprise! but true. We have the green hanging down kind. Soft and dry yet messy. I think it chokes trees. MB

Stefan Jansson said...

I hear it is a popular plant where I live. Colorful photo.

Kay said...

This is starting to sound like the basis for a horror story where the moss takes over a house, someone wakes up in the middle of the night as it's creeping across the bed, there's a dog somewhere struggling to break free. . .Ugh! It's my next nightmare! Thanks, Lowell!

Anonymous said...

It looks a bit like a cocoon, but you've captured it so artistically that I'm afraid you've weakened your case for its horribleness. :-)

Janet said...

Aw, Lowell. It is home to little critters who would be homeless without it...and it's romantic despite all its shortcomings. If it killed trees, then all the oaks and magnolias in Old Live Oak Cemetery here would have long been dead. :)

magiceye said...

Wow that sure is close! Dont see a Spanish fly there do you?!

EG CameraGirl said...

Looks magical from where I sit. :)

Unknown said...

Now, that's a great close-up! I see what you mean but I find it so ineteresting, maybe because I don't have Spanish Moss here. :-)

Anonymous said...

Can I add tree expert to my resume ;)

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson