Images fron late April 2010

I know it is late, but I kind of like working with wildflower photos when there are none to be seen right now. Also, to answer some of the questions that I have been asked lately, I like to photograph wildflowers as they are. Unlike other wildflower photographers, I do not search for perfect looking flowers. I do not pass up a chance to photograph a wildflower because a bug ate some of its petals, or the symmetry is not perfect. I like wildflowers the way they are, with whatever imperfections they may have. To me, that is character. If you are looking for perfect wildflower shots, you probably will be disappointed here. I shoot 'em like I see 'em. I hope that helps to explain a bit of my imagery.

This is Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum). Also known as Golden Poppy.

This is Pink Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Tall and delicate.

This is the Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). I do not see these as much as I do the Virginia Bluebells.

This is Spiderwort (Tradescantis ohiensis). It is also known as Cow Slobber (no joke).

This is Yellow Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum).

This wildflower is a Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum).

This wildflower is Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana). It is also known as Blue Dogbane.

These wildflowers are White Dwarf Creasted Iris (Iris cristata).

These wildflowers are Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum).

Another image of the Pink Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). This is one of my favorite images.

Enter the Rare Mutant Trillium

On one of my expeditions to photograph wildflowers, I encountered several large colonies of Trillium. While photographing the Trillium, I noticed some odd looking flowers. These flowers were clearly Trillium, but the blooms were multiple layers of three petals, and the blooms were green.
I carefully photographed them, and I think they are very beautiful. I queried some local wildflower folks and was told that they were nothing special, and was then ignored from further discussion. I found this behavior very odd, so I asked a regional biologist if he could look at my images and identify them. He not only knew what they were, he knew where I had taken the photos, and he verified that these Trillium are, indeed, very uncommon. It seems that, occasionally, a colony of Trillium will mutate and produce odd looking blooms. I consider myself honored to have seen these beautiful specimens. For the safety and protection of these colonies, I will not divulge where these Trillium are located.
I hope you like these images.

This is Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis). This is the white version.

Again, this is Dame's Rocket, but this is the violet version.

This wildflower is Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

This is Star Chickweed (Stellaria corei)

This is Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

This is a Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

The beautiful Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)

(Trillium grandiflorum)

Here is one of the mutant Trillium.

Another image of the mutated strain of the Trillium grandiflorum

I think this is my favorite image of the mutated wildflowers. It looks beautiful to me.

Three Cheers for Trillium

These images were taken between April 15 and April 19, 2010. Many of these images are of Trillium, a beautiful wildflower that has a noticeable affection to the number three. There are usually three petals, and three leaves on this wildflowers. Several other wildflowers spice up the image mix.

A group of Bluets (Houstonia caerulea). Always a pleasure to see, but difficult to photograph due to their petite size and susceptibility to movement in the wind.

This wildflower is called Epimedium, also known as Barrenwort and Horny Goat Weed. It is the more rare red colored Epimedium.

This is also Epimedium, however in the more common green and yellow colors.

A Tiger Swallowtail butterfly pays due diligence to an Azelia in a stiff breeze.

The Tiger Swallowtail butterfly checking out more of the Pink Azelia.

A Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) makes an early Spring appearance.

Now starts the march of the Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum).

Another Trillium, but is aging.

(Trillium grandiflorum)

(Trillium grandiflorum)

(Trillium grandiflorum)

This wildflower is a Canada Violet (Viola canadensis)

Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Wild Phlox. I do not know the exact species.

(Trillium grandiflorum)

Happy New Year 2011

Hello folks,

Just jumping in to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to another year of spending time with family, friends, the night skies, and Wildflowers.

All the best to you.

Michael

Been shooting, just not posting...

I was really bad about it this year. I was definitely shooting more images than I had time to go through to post. Once I got behind, I just felt like I could not come close to catching up, so I just "let it ride". Not a good idea if you have a blog. Well, now that it is cold outside, and wildflowers are mainly a distant memory, I will attempt to bring my images up to date. The images in this posting were taken in the first two weeks in April 2010. Let's see what we have here.

Primrose (Pimula vulgaris).

This wildflower is known as Money Plant (Lunaria annua).

This is Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). It is an early spring bloomer, and always beautiful.

The beautiful Apple Blossom.

These wildflowers are Snowdrops, and its variety is known as the Common Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis).


More Snowdrops, this time with a visitor. I did not like the movie "Titanic", but I cannot help but think that this bug is doing it's impression of Kate Winslet on the bow of the ship.


This is Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias)


This is Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum).


Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica).


These are Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica). These are also known as Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort Oysterleaf, and Roanoke Bells.


This is Periwinkle (Vinca minor). This prolific wildflower is always a pleasure to photograph. This one was fun due to the "pinwheel" look of the petals.

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.