Harvest Time for Ferula

Photographer: Orazio MezzioSummary Author: Orazio Mezzio

When the Milky Way rises in the summer sky with the constellation Scorpio, as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, it's harvest time for ferula. This inconspicuous herbaceous plant of the Mediterranean maquis has several interesting properties; it's very light, it's strong, it's is a good thermal insulator, and it's fire resistant. These special characteristics favored it for the construction of the Pastoral staffs of Bishops, a symbol of the connection between temporal and spiritual power. The Pastoral staff used for the coronation of the King of Sicily, Frederick II (known in the Middle Ages as Stupor Mundi), was also made of ferula. What better plant, then, to represent a photo that aims to depict the harmonious union of heaven and earth? Note that the primary star in Scorpio, Antares, is to just to the right of the top of the ferula plant in the foreground. Photo taken on July 2, 2024 from Sicily, Italy.

Photo Details: Nikon D750 camera; Sigma art 20 mm lens; F/1.8; 120 seconds exposure; ISO 400.

Sicily, Italy Coordinates: 37.3979, 14.6588

Related Links:Milky Way Viewed from Reunion IslandA review of Ferula species