Chlorosomes from green photosynthetic bacteria Chloroflexus aurantiacus have been studied by time-resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The fastest kinetics of 200-300 fs resolved, was interpreted to stem for intra-chlorosomal excitation energy transfer. Energy transfer from the antenna to the baseplate appeared as a major 9.2 ps rise component detected at the baseplate probe wavelength. Excitation energy transfer rates were evaluated for a model chlorosome. Calculated rod to rod, and rods to baseplate rate constants of 200-400 fs and 10-20 ps, respectively, are in accord with the experimental results. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.