Flowers
White Spider Lily
These interesting, exotic flowers were a new variety to me. They are known as white spider lilies. They are part of the amaryllis family. (Amaryllidaceae – genus Hymenocallis) The bright blooms are a beacon for their primary pollinator, Sphinx moths.
As I mentioned, this is a wildflower I’ve not encountered before. I found it growing in southwest Alabama – on a short visit last weekend. These were growing along a boardwalk trail at Jennings Park; a beautiful, well kept park in the small town of Brewton, AL.
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The Queen’s Sceptre
A close-up shot showcases the early stages of Queen Anne’s Lace, bathed in warm sunlight. Early morning dew clings to the delicate stems of the plant and a lone strand of spider web. The early light and tiny dewdrops highlight its structure and adding some sparkle.
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Touch-Me-Nots After a Shower
A light shower left droplets clinging to the vibrant, orange Spotted Touch-me-not flowers and its leaves. These tiny beauties were found in the woodlands of northwest Missouri.
The common name (Touch-me-not) is a reference to the seed pods popping open if they are touched, a characteristic which also explains two other common names – Snapweed and Spotted Snap Weed. The plant is also known as Jewelweed and Spotted Jewelweed.
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Tuliptree Blossom with Guest
A vibrant green tuliptree flower with a rich yellow center is in full bloom, surrounded by large, lobed leaves. Some sort of insect is nestled in the flower’s petals, possibly collecting nectar or pollen.
Also shown in this photo is one of the tuliptree’s cone-like seed clusters that sit upright on the branches. The tuliptree is one of the largest native trees in North America. It is a member of the magnolia family and has distinct tulip shaped flowers. The golden-yellow fall color of the tuliptree makes this an excellent choice for large landscapes.
I found this tuliptree in bloom while strolling the grounds at College of the Ozarks, just south of Branson, Missouri.
Getting this shot was not an easy task. The blooms are up in a tree, well above my head and reach. To get this image, I employed a monopod. I extended it the full length, set the camera’s timer and guessed at the focal distance. Then, after pressing the shutter button to activate the timer, I hoisted the camera above the bloom and waited for the “click” sound. Then I’d lower it to eye level and look at the result. It took about six or seven attempts to get the correct framing and sharpness.
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The Delicate Dogwood
A cluster of delicate blooms from a dogwood tree growing in northwest Missouri. Some of these petal appear thin and nearly translucent. The dogwood captures the fleeting beauty of spring in bloom. (These blooms are long gone.)
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Unpretentious Beauty
A bunch of wild daisies that bloomed annually and self propagated liberally every spring. I love the simplicity of white petals and bright yellow centers standing out against a blur of green foliage.
These are from a patch of daisies that we welcomed every spring in our yard. Every year the main patch would expand a little and other little patches would pop up in the lawn nearby.
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Purple Veined Moth Orchid
This is a beautiful example of the Moth Orchid. The photo captures the delicate beauty of the orchids, contrasting with the subtle pattern on the butterfly’s wings.
This is one of the images I captured at the Butterfly Palace in Branson, MO. This was clicked in October of 2023.
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Bugleweed In Bloom
These pretty little flowers are actually considered by many to be an invasive weed. This is bugleweed, also known as Ajuga, ground pine, carpet bugle, or just bugle. It is a genus of flowering plants in the Ajugeae tribe of the mint family Lamiaceae.
This is a patch from my in-laws yard in northwest Missouri. Bugleweed is a low-maintenance perennial grown for its colorful foliage and groundcover habit. In the spring, it produces purple/blue flower spikes about 6″ tall. Sometimes it bloom again in the summer and into fall.
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Tulip Time
Vibrant tulips in shades of white, yellow, red, and orange bloom during Tulip Time in Pella, IA.
This is a photo I found on my hard drive from a springtime visit to Pella a few years ago. If you like photographing flowers, Tulip Time in Pella offers a spectacular display of color and variety. This year, Tulip Time in Pella is May 2nd through the 4th.
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Springing to Life
Rising from the dead leaves remaining from autumn, we find the crocus. This is one of the very first signs of spring. I photographed these welcome beauties sprouting in northwest Missouri at the beginning of March 2024.
According to Wikipedia… “Crocuses are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underground, that bear relatively large white, yellow, orange or purple flowers and then become dormant after flowering. Many are cultivated for their flowers, appearing in autumn, winter, or spring. The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. The crocus has been known throughout recorded history, mainly as the source of saffron. Saffron is obtained from the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, an autumn-blooming species. It is valued as a spice and dyestuff, and is one of the most expensive spices in the world.”
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