Not sure what category to put this in. It's not really a wild flower, tree, shrub or fungus. But it's not a landscape either. Nor is it artwork. I'd gone out for a hike along the river that day, hoping to see dippers and whooper swans. No such luck. Just the usual ducks, gulls, and some magpies bathing. No snow yet back then, but quite cold. The frost was making interesting patterns on the dead leaves. A few leaves in one particular spot had these strange "scales" on them. Others had "feathers", "needles", "pincushions" and various patterns of fuzz. As I was bent over taking pictures of the frost, a party from a nursing home came by, carers pushing a group of developmentally handicapped young adults in wheelchairs. They stopped near me and one of the carers asked if I was OK. I straightened up and laughed, saying I was fine, thanks, just taking pictures of the frost. Only one of the clients seemed to get the whole joke, laughing and nodding at me.
