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Sunflecks

This video sequence shows a forest understory in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. At any given time, the majority of the understory is in the shade. Light spots referred to as sunflecks glide across the understory until they appear to sudder because the canopy is blown by the wind.

Plants live in a dynamic environment. Light is one resource that plants depend on to survive, grow, and reproduce. Like most resources they can vary in supply. Light is critical to plants because they use light energy to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates (e.g. sugar). However, too much light can overload and damage the photosystem. This can cause a form of physiological stress referred to as photoinhibition. Plants can acclimate to different light environments by making changes at cellular- and canopy-levels as they grow and develop. If they suddenly experience a new environment (e.g. forest gap) they may become stressed.

This sequence was taken using a Nikon Coolpix 5400 controlled by a Digisnap 2000. The photo interval was 30 seconds. If you check the individual frames then you will notice at frame 23 (near the beginning) a deer stands right in front of the camera. See if you can see it.