Shapes and patterns in nature

Leaves are full of patterns, with the veins of these ivy leaves showing up particularly clearly, especially the reddish one bottom left

A caterpillar seems to have taken a perfect semi-circular bite out of this gorgeously patterned leaf, which almost has the shape of Africa!

A sprinkling of frost highlights shapes and patterns that we would not normally notice

Here, the frost seems to be outlining the leaves in white, while on the surface of the leaves there seem to be minute drops of frozen water, maybe transpired from the leaves

Even in death, a leaf exhibits the most interesting shapes

I love the contrast between the perfectly straight vertical main vein, and the seemingly random curves of the leaf edge

The main veins are in a gorgeous deep red, while faint patterns of green still cling on

Here we get different colour patterns: reds, browns, light and dark greens, and the white of the  frost

Trees provide an endless display of shapes and patterns. At the tops of the tree trunks of these beeches, the branches bend over and meet to form the famous “cathedral” appearance

I never cease to marvel at the beauty of trees. This one displays the same patterns of leaf veins that we saw earlier

The sunlight shining through this tree creates some interesting shadows on the frosty ground

A wonderfully symmetrical oak tree

I like this shot because it’s full of patterns. The curving lane. The line of fence posts matching the lane’s curve. The gentle curve of the hill, matched by another line of fence posts. And all is framed by branches and leaves above, creating their own shapes and patterns

Some more delicately patterned trees, with a couple of horses silhouetted on the hillside

The sun’s rays create their own patterns

Meanwhile, on the ground, the drop in temperature transforms an ordinary puddle into a work of art

A pine cone in close-up displays some very chunky patterns

Finally, a sheep shows off its shapely curved horn