Liquidambar Styraciflua Fruit

Kiev 60 Arsat 80mm f2.8 20mm extension tube K2 Yellow Filter Efke 25R Adox Adonal 1:50 - My wife brought these home, feeling they would make and interesting subject. Having grown up in Illinois, she has never been exposed the dreaded, foot torturing "Gumballs" of Southeastern United States. They are the fruit of the Liquidambar Styraciflua Tree, better know as the American Sweetgum, and are the Bane of bare feet everywhere in Virginia. "Gumballs" ares slightly smaller than a Golf or Ping Pong Ball and covered with spiked, bird beak like openings. They are sharp, skin piercing sharp. The tender arch area of the bottom of your foot always seems to find them hiding in grass, bringing a sensation similar to stepping on a cluster of upturned needles. I grew up hating these things, but in the end, my wife was right, they did make and interesting subject. Scanned with an Epson V500 Flatbed Scanner.