Cedar of Lebanon Branches in Quebec Forest

Overcast skies filter midday light into soft, dappled patches across the layered horizontal branches of a cedar of Lebanon. The thick, textured bark displays deep fissures in shades of gray and brown, contrasting with fresh, vibrant green needles that emerge in late spring. Below, a dense carpet of ferns lines the forest floor, their fronds unfurling in intricate patterns beneath the tree. The tight framing isolates the intricate structure of the boughs, showing the way light breaks through the canopy to highlight individual needle clusters. A small patch of damp moss rests on the base of a lower branch, glistening where the diffuse light touches it.