Wildflowers – Page 2 – Different Isn't Wrong, It's Just Different

Waiting to hear if any of my photos were chosen for the Photography Salon for the 2022 Iowa State Fair can be trying. So on this holiday weekend, I thought it would be fun to take a look back from the last few years of images that haven’t been shared, at least on this site.

Interestingly, another photographer submitted a very similar image to my bleeding hearts image to the 2019 Iowa State Fair and was chosen for display and I believe received an award. Am I sorry this image wasn’t submitted, a little. But it also makes me feel good that another photographer chose to “steal like an artist” as this is a huge compliment and was chosen for the Photography Salon.

Next up are two images of wildflowers native to Iowa. These two images were made the same day as my image Spring at Lacey that was submitted this year to the Iowa State Fair. It’s a few years later and I am still pleased with both images.

This crabapple tree was in full bloom. I have photographed this same tree in the fall. I like to do that, photograph the same scene during the different seasons.

This juvenile robin had recently fledged and was perched in my lilac tree. At first I was startled to see it as I wasn’t aware a nest was near by. Surprisingly, it stayed in the same spot while I went inside to grab my camera. Granted, wildlife and birds, are not subjects I photograph, so to be able to make this image was quite exciting!

One of my favorite flowers to grow are zinnias. The bees and butterflies love to feast on their pollen. Below is a monarch that would visit my flowers each and every day at about the same time.

The final image to share today was made at Geode State Park.

Over the next couple of weeks while waiting, I may look back and share more images.

My boots have been calling my name to hit the trail. Yesterday I made time and headed to the restored prairie at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa. I have wanted to photograph the wildflowers at last light on the prairie since moving to Iowa, and it was time I did so.

In Arizona I mostly shot macro photography, but since moving to Iowa, I shoot more landscape images. I attached my 105mm macro lens thinking how beautiful the wildflowers would be at last light and the images that could be made. But once on the trail, it was the landscape that caught my attention, both wide and intimate images. I could have changed lenses to a wider lens, but I kept thinking, what if I see something and I want a macro image. Besides, I have used my macro lens as a telephoto lens many times. Using a fixed focal length makes me work harder and challenges me, especially at 105mm.

I felt perfectly safe shooting by myself, something I have struggled with since moving to Iowa. Strange that I felt safer in the wild west of Arizona, but I did. And the insecurity has kept me from exploring. But yesterday, Madison was with me and even though she is only 10 lbs. and absolutely adorable, watch out! She can be quite feisty and the two teenage boys that were out for a run through the prairie found out they should not get too close! This was the first time we had gone out on a shoot together. Molly used to go with me frequently in Arizona and learned to be patient when I was shooting. Madison was so intrigued with being someplace new she wasn’t interested in staying in one spot for very long.

Queen Anne’s Lace at last light on the prairie

When I left my house there were numerous white puffy clouds in the sky and I was looking forward to a colorful sunset with clouds, However, mother nature did not cooperate and the clouds drifted away. Still, sunset was quite colorful, the sun was red, casting an incredibly beautiful light on the prairie. Quickly I grabbed my iPhone 6s to make some wide images of the last light on the prairie.

The last hour of light, during the golden hour, was so beautiful. So many wildflowers, beautiful light and amazing cool temperature and little humidity for a late July evening. I was sorry that I hadn’t made time to come here on multiple occasions to photograph the prairie. This is a place I could shoot for days and not be bored. Not only are there thousands of wildflowers, but there are tall grasses too. I’m guessing during the day there are many butterflies and bees feasting on all the pollen. Hard to believe July is over and before we know it, fall will be here. Until then, I hope to enjoy the prairie at least one more time.

For now, here are some images of the last light on the prairie in the gallery below and as always, you may click on any image to see a larger version.