On Mill Mountain with the Garden Club

I was out in the morning getting some shots while the weather was pretty decent for images. Lightly overcast skies gave a nice, even light for imaging, but not taking too much of the suns intense light. At the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden, I was mainly seeking out Bloodroot, which was in abundance. I also found a couple of wildflowers that I was not expecting to see. One I had never seen before and I consider myself lucky that I even saw it at all. It was then I met the Mill Mountain Garden Club, and very nice group of young women that take care of the Wildflower Garden. I must voice a hearty "Thank You" for their hard work and determination in providing this beautiful destination for us. Again, if you have not been to the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden, it is located between the Discovery Center and the Mill Mountain Zoo. I then dropped by the Virginia Western Arboretum where more Bloodroot was in bloom along with Lentin Rose. I hope you like the images.

This is Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). It is an early spring wildflower, and one of my favorites. I have seen more Bloodroot this year than in years past. This image shows it in various stages of bloom.

Another image of Bloodroot, also at the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden.

This is Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides). It blooms close to the ground and has small blooms about one inch wide.

This is a Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum). Also called a Dogtooth Violet, this one bloomed very close to the ground and almost did not even see it amongst the bed of leaves. Notice the mottled leaves.

This is the Mill Mountain Garden Club, at least the members that were at the Wildflower Garden when I was doin ' some shootin'. Thanks ladies for the work you do. It is appreciated.

This group of Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) was blooming at the Virginia Western Arboretum on Colonial Avenue. You should stop by and check it out when you get a chance. A very beautiful, peaceful place.

This is Lentin (Helleborus orientalis). This is a red bloom of the species. Located at the Virginia Western Arboretum.

This is also Lentin (Helleborus orientalis). This is a green bloom of the species. Located at the Virginia Western Arboretum.

More Images with Different Lenses

I am always looking for different ways to image wildflowers. This day I decided to image some of the wildflowers in the yard with a different setup. This setup is, basically, a 960mm f5.6 Macro system. It allows me to get relatively close-up images of wildflowers that are 10 to 15 feet away. It also provides a visual cue of compression, or flattening. This can be an interesting addition to an image if used properly. Controlling depth of field at the increased distance is difficult to do correctly. Two of the three images below used the extreme telephoto macro system. These images were shot on March 21, 2010.

This is a Kaufmann's Tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana). This image was taken with my 100mm f2.8 Macro lens. The front of the lens is about 24 inches from the tulip.

Here is the Kaufmann's Tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana) again. This time the image was taken with my 960mm f5.6 Macro setup. The front of the lens is about 12 feet from the tulip.

This is Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum). This image was also taken with my 960mm f5.6 Macro setup. The front of the lens is about 14 feet from the Grape Hyacinth.

Around My Yard

As the wildflowers start to break out of the ground, they have been popping up in my yard in areas that I have never noticed wildflowers before this year. Like the Star of Bethlehem that grew in the middle of my lawn, these beauties have made their presence known on their own, with some help from birds I suppose. Included is a wild tulip. I hope you like these images. These were shot on March 19, 2010.

This is a Species Crocus, (Crocus speciosus). It is a wild Crocus, and this one was growing an inch from the base of my Magnolia Tree. This bloom was almost 3 inches wide.

This is an English Primrose, or Common Primrose, (Primula vulgaris). The name Primrose comes from Latin, Prima Rosa, or "First Rose", denoting the wildflowers early spring blooming period.

This is Corn Speedwell, (Veronica arvensis). This wildflower is considered a weed in most lawns, but if you get close up and personal with the tiny, 1/4 inch blooms, they are beautiful.

I was having quite a hard time trying to figure this one out. It was in none of my books and I was at a loss on what it was. I sent this image to a knowledgeable friend, Katherine Hix. She identified it almost immediately, and I then researched it. This is a Kaufmann's Tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana). It is a true wild tulip, but it is native to rocky slopes of Kazakhstan and Russia. How it got to my yard, I have no idea.

Start of the Wildflower Season 2010

It is another year, and time to break out the cameras, assorted macro gear, and head out in search of more beautiful wildflowers. I travel more during this season than any other. and these little wonders of nature never cease to amaze me. They seem to grow in some of the oddest, most unforgiving places, yet bring beauty and grace to wherever they bloom. This year, the first image of the year was a wild Crocus, blooming in the middle of my lawn on March 10th. Like the Star of Bethlehem last year, I have no idea how it got there. A bird, most likely. Anyway, here are some early images of the early bloomers. Winter Jasmine, Hellebore, Snowdrops, and Crocus.

This is Crocus, (possibly Crocus vernus), it is an early spring crocus, or snow crocus. This is the one that bloomed in my lawn.

This is Hellebore (Veratrum viride). This is early in its blooming cycle, and is very obvious amongst the still dormant forest floor. This is in the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden.

This is Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum). These flowers were growing on Wiley Drive.

Some more Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) on Wiley Drive.

These wildflowers are Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and are located in the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden. They are early in their bloom cycle and have not spread their petals.

Some more Snowdrops located in the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden.

These Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and are located in a private Franklin County Wildflower Garden. They are later in their bloom cycle and have spread their petals.

These Crocuses, (possibly Crocus vernus), are also in the private Franklin County Wildflower Garden. These are some of the most stunning Crocuses I have ever seen.