Mangrove Roots Winding Through Ferns

Flat noon light washes over a tangle of gnarled mangrove prop roots rising from dark, wet earth. Vibrant green ferns carpet the forest floor, their fronds curling tightly around the base of the woody structures. The air carries a visible haze that softens the distant horizon into a pale gray wash. Textures range from the slick, muddy sheen of the roots to the dry, papery feel of the fern edges. Deep shadows pool beneath the root arches, against the bright, washed-out sky above. One fern frond rests against a twisted root, its edge catching the harsh overhead glare.