The first photograph with the ‘new’ Nikon…


Common Reed

The first photograph I took with my new Nikon was this…..it shows a reedbed of the Common Reed (Phragmites australis) not far from where I live in New England. This is an impressive plant, growing up to 14 feet in height, and is very opportunistic, in that it can grow either via the spread of rhizomes, just under the surface, or seeds which can be distributed on the wind or by birds.

There is some debate as to whether or not this is an ‘invasive’ species or a true ‘native to New England’ plant. All I know is that is seizes every chance it can to colonize even the smallest patch of wetland, with the previous year’s leaf litter forming a dense mat in which other species cannot thrive.
Whatever the arguments against the Common Reed, I think that it is impressive to look at in late autumn, with the seed heads fully developed, and I enjoyed composing this picture.

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