Flowers & Plants

Jan 08

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend Bluebonnet, Big Bend National Park, Focus Stacking, Grapevine Hills Trail, Texas Wildflowers

Big Bend Bluebonnet Flower

A Big Bend Bluebonnet flower that i photographed along the Grapevine Hills Trail in Big Bend National Park in the spring of 2019.

Dec 29

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Austin, Blackfoot Daisy, Focus Stacking, Texas Wildflowers

COVID-era Blackfoot Daisy

This COVID-era Blackfoot Daisy was photographed in Northwest Austin in the spring of 2020 prior to the virus spreading around the world.

Apr 17

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Focus Stacking, Grapevine Hills Trail, Texas Wildflowers

Desert Marigold

A Desert Marigold photographed along the Grapevine Hills Trail in Big Bend National Park. The flower was photographed during the spring of 2019.

Apr 14

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Focus Stacking, Hot Springs Trail, Texas Wildflowers

Trans-Pecos Senna

A Trans-Pecos Senna photographed along the Hot Springs Trail in Big Bend National Park during the Spring of 2019.

Apr 10

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend Bluebonnet, Big Bend National Park, Focus Stacking, Grapevine Hills Trail, Texas Wildflowers

Another Big Bend Bluebonnet

Another Big Bend Bluebonnet photographed along the Grapevine Hills Trail in Big Bend National Park in the spring of 2019.

Apr 06

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Chihuahuan Flax, Focus Stacking, Terlingua, Terlingua Creek, Texas Wildflowers, West Texas

Chihuahuan Flax

A Chihuahuan Flax (Linum vernale) photographed along Terlingua Creek, North of Terlingua, using the focus stacking method.

Apr 04

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Chino Mountains, Focus Stacking, Texas Wildflowers, West Texas

Big Bend Bluebonnet

The Big Bend Bluebonnet is similar than the bluebonnets we have in the Austin area. The Big Bend variety has fewer leaves and grow much taller.

Apr 04

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Insect, Terlingua, Terlingua Creek, Texas Wildflowers, West Texas

Desert Marigold with Bee

A Desert Marigold with a bee photographed along Terlingua Creek in West Texas using the focus stack method.

Mar 24

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Brown-Eyed Susan, Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Brown-Eyed Susan

A Brown-Eyed Susan photographed at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in the spring of 2018 using the focus stacking method.

Mar 20

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Rock Rose, Texas Wildflowers

Rock Rose Warning

A Rock Rose photographed at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin during the summer of 2018. Many rattlesnakes in the area. Beware!

Mar 17

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Focus Stacking, Texas Wildflowers

Trailing Windmills

A pair of Trailing Windmills photographed in the fall of 2018 in the Earnst Tinaja area of Big Bend National Park.

Mar 16

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Autumn Sage

Autumn Sage is a very popular landscape plant. It grows throughout the Southwest. Its flowers are edible!

Mar 15

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Focus Stacking, Gray Golden Aster, Texas Wildflowers

Gray Golden Aster

A Gray Golden Aster (Heterotheca canescens) photographed during my trip to Big Bend National Park in the fall of 2018.

Sep 30

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Structures 0 comments tags: Flowers, Hotel Azul, Mexico, Oaxaca, Window

Window and Flowers

This window and flowers arrangement are part of the Hotel Azul located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The hotel is clean and the staff is friendly.

Aug 05

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers, White Gaura

White Gaura

A White Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) photographed at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in the summer of 2018 using the focus stacking technique.

Aug 03

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Mature Texas Gayfeather

A mature Texas Gayfeather photogrpahed using the focus stacking technique at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX last week.

Aug 02

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 5 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Young Texas Gayfeather

A young Texas Gayfeather photographed at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. There were many flowers growing in a batch. This was the newest.

Jul 29

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Chocolate Flower, Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Chocolate Flower

The Chocolate Flower is not my favorite wildflower but it is my favorite flower name. The Chocolate Flower does smell like chocolate!

Jul 26

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Apache Plume, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Seedhead, Texas Wildflowers

Apache Plume Seedhead

An Apache Plume Seedhead photographed at the Lady Bird Jonson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX in the summer of 2018.

Jun 10

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Eastern Purple Coneflower

I photographed this Eastern Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea) at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin last April.

Jun 03

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 1 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Mealy Blue Sage, Salvia Farinacea, Texas Wildflowers

Mealy Blue Sage

The Mealy Blue Sage is an excellent plant for a flower bed, and is often planted in groupings to create an attractive mass of color. It is also a good plant for a rock garden.

Jun 02

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: American Basket Flower, Centaurea americana, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

The American Basket Flower (Centaurea americana), is native to south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. I understand that this is a very easy plant to grow and that it requires little maintenance.

May 28

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Katydid Nymph, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Pink Evening Primrose, Texas Wildflowers

Katydid Nymph on a Pink Evening Primrose

I captured this photograph of a Katydid Nymph on a Pink Evening Primrose during my trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in April.

May 07

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Bluebonnet, Texas Wildflowers

Last of the Bluebonnets

It's the last of the Bluebonnets. Most of the Texas Bluebonnets growing in central Texas have gone to seed. I captured this specimen at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center earlier this spring.

Apr 22

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 3 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Hill Country penstemon, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Hill Country Penstemon

A Hill Country Penstemon photographed at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX using the Focus Stacking technique.

Apr 19

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Bee, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Coneflower Pollinator

A bee serving as an Eastern Purple Coneflower pollinator at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX.

Apr 14

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stack, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Bluebonnet, Texas Wildflowers

Texas Bluebonnet Time

It is Texas Bluebonnet Time in Central Texas and especially out at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. I was impressed by the quantity and quality of the bluebonnets at the Center this year.

Apr 12

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Eastern Purple Coneflower, Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Dew on an Eastern Purple Coneflower

I finally made it out to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to photograph some of the wonderful Texas Wildflowers. I was making my way around the grounds when I came across this Eastern Purple Coneflower with dewdrops on its petals.

Mar 29

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Aster Family, Focus Stacking, Praire Fleabane, Texas Wildflowers

Prairie Fleabane

Spring is moving along much faster than I expected. Wildflowers are springing up everywhere! I decided that I better get outside and make sure I still remember how to photograph Texas Wildflowers. This pair of Prairie Fleabane flowers were ideal to photograph.

Nov 10

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Austin, Eastern Red Columbine, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas, Texas Wildflowers

Red Columbines

Eastern Red Columbines are one of my favorite flowers. I enjoy looking at columbines in general. My favorite is the Longspur Columbine.

Apr 23

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Agua Fria Mountain, Big Bend, Cactus, Cactus Flower, Focus Stacking, Texas Wildflowers

Rainbow Cactus

I posted the top view if the Rainbow Cactus yesterday. This view shows you the colorful bands of spines that are the reason for its name.

Apr 22

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Agua Fria Mountain, Big Bend, Cactus, Cactus Flower, Focus Stacking, Texas Wildflowers

Rainbow Cactus

I photographed this Rainbow Cactus along Humphries Peak Road using the focus stack technique during a recent trip to the Big Bend area.

Apr 21

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Texas Wildflowers

Cedar Sage

I was out doing some work near a creek on my property when I noticed quite a few Cedar Sage plants so I got my camera and photographed them.

Apr 20

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Agua Fria Mountain, Chihuahuan Desert, Desert Climate

Lone Tree

I was photographing flowers in the Agua Fria area located near Big Bend NP when I ran across this lone tree and decided to photograph it.

Apr 18

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Giant Spiderworts

Giant Spiderworts are hard to photograph using the focus stack method. There are too many parts that move in the slightest breeze.

Apr 14

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Eastern Red Columbines

I photographed these Eastern Red Columbines during a trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center using the focus stacking technique.

Apr 12

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Cattail Falls, Focus Stacking, Longspur Columbine, Texas Wildflowers

Longspur Columbine

I photographed this Longspur Columbine at the Cattail Falls in Big Bend National Park during a trip to the area in the spring of 2017.

Apr 09

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Agua Fria, Brewster County, Feather Dalea, Focus Stacking, Texas Wildflowers, West Texas

Feather Dalea

I captured this photograph of a Feather Dalea (Dalea formosa) while on a drive in the desert to an area called "Agua Fria Springs".

Mar 31

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Eastern Red Columbine

photographed this Eastern Red Columbine at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin a couple of weeks ago.

Mar 16

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Bluebonnet, Texas Wildflowers

Texas Bluebonnets

Texas Bluebonnets against winter grass. I liked this because it is a symbol that spring has sprung and what has passed will be new again.

Feb 24

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Colorado Springs, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Spring, Texas Bluebonnet

Spring has Sprung

Spring has Sprung in Texas! The much warmer than normal temperatures has confused Mother Nature to the point that she has given up on winter

Dec 13

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Gayfeather

Crooked Gayfeather

I photographed this crooked Gayfeather at the LBJ Wildflower Center last September. The Texas Gayfeather is one of my favorite wildflowers.

Dec 12

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Grass, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Starburst, Sunrise

Grassy Sunrise

I photographed this Grassy Sunrise starburst during my last trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center last September.

Dec 11

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Gay Feather, Texas Wildflowers

Gayfeathers

I photographed this very large clump of Texas Gayfeathers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center earlier this year.

Nov 21

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Insects & Arachnids 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Blue Creek Trail, Hunting Wasp

Hunting Wasps

Our photography group hiked the Blue Creek Trail one day. That is where I found these two Hunting Wasps engaged in a ritual.

Nov 17

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Artist Point, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lichen Stump, Yellowstone National Park

Lichen Stump

I spotted this Wolf Lichen growing on a stump just down the path from where I captured some Wolf Lichen growing on some dead branches.

Oct 24

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Gayfeather

Texas Gayfeather Closeup

I photographed this Texas Gayfeather at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center earlier this month. It is one of my favorite flowers.

Oct 22

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Aspen Trees, Fall Colors, Grand Teton National Park

Fall in the Tetons

Fall in the Tetons is amazing. Aspens turn bright yellow-orange, grasses change from green to golden and the Cottonwood leaves to yellow.

Oct 21

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Artist Point, Lichen, Yellowstone National Park

Wolf Lichen

I captured this photograph of Wolf Lichen (Letharia vulpina) at Artist Point in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone lower falls area.

Oct 17

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Fountain Paint Pot Nature Trail, Grass Clump, Yellowstone National Park

Grass Clump

One of the interesting things about my trip to Yellowstone NP is to see how a plant like this grass clump survives in a hostile environment.

Oct 11

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Jimsonweed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Jimsonweed Flower Detail

I was actually trying to photograph this Jimsonweed flower detail when I captured the photograph of the Jimsonweed Pollinator last month.

Oct 06

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Maximilian Sunflower

Maximilian Sunflower

The Maximilian Sunflower is a Texas Native prairie perennial. It is a very desirable range plant as it is consumed by livestock.

Sep 29

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Insects & Arachnids 4 comments tags: Honey Bee, Jimsonweed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Jimsonweed Pollinator

I stopped by a Jimsonweed at the LBJ Wildflower Center to photograph new pristine flowers when I spotted this Jimsonweed Pollinator.

Sep 23

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Yellow Waterlily

A Yellow Waterlily photographed earlier this month at the LBJ Wildflower Center. This aquatic plant grows in shallow water and wetlands.

Sep 22

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Prairie False-Foxglove

The Prairie False-Foxglove is another great plant that attracts butterflies. I photographed this flower at the LBJ Wildflower Center.

Sep 21

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Gregg’s Mistflower

Gregg's Mistflower is a common addition to gardens as it attracts butterflies. Their blooms coincide with the Monarch fall migration.

Sep 19

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Sand Palafox

I captured this photograph of the Sand Palafox (Palafoxia hookeriana) flower during my last trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Sep 18

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Jimsonweed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Imperfect Jimsonweed

I posted a Jimsonweed photo last week. I returned to the same location a few days later to photograph this imperfect Jimsonweed flower.

Sep 17

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Twin Seashore Mallows

I photographed these Twin Seashore Mallows at the LBJ Wildflower Center earlier this month. Seashore Mallows are beautiful flowers.

Sep 16

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

A Mature Swamp Rose Mallow

I photographed this mature Swamp Rose Mallow flower at the LBJ Wildflower Center last week. It is one of the better specimens at the Center.

Sep 15

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Seashore Mallow

This is a Seashore Mallow flower and it is not commonly found in the wild in Central Texas but is plentiful on the gulf coast.

Sep 14

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Post Processing 3 comments tags: Fine Art Photography, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Buttonbush Fine Art

I'm not a big fan of "fine art" photos but it does have its place in photography. I thought this Buttonbush was a great candidate.

Sep 12

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Mexican Primrose Willow, Texas Wildflowers

Mexican Primrose Willow

One of the things I like about the Mexican Primrose Willow is that it's very symmetrical. It has four yellow petals flanked by green sepals.

Sep 11

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 5 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Gayfeather, Texas Wildflowers

Texas Gayfeather

My trip to the LBJ Wildflower Center was a very productive wildflower photography trip. I photographed this Texas Gayfeather on that trip.

Sep 08

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Apache Plume, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Wildflowers

Apache Plume

Apache Plume gets its name from the pinkish feathery seed heads which appear after the flowers bloom in the summer.

Sep 07

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Flower, Jimsonweed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Jimsonweed

This is Jimsonweed, a member of the Nightshade family. It is highly toxic to humans and animals. Flowers open from evening to early morning.

Sep 06

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Swamp Rose-Mallow, Texas Wildflowers

Swamp Rose-Mallow

I found this Swamp Rose-Mallow specimen with a nice grasshopper during a recent trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Sep 05

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Eryngo, Flower, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Eryngo Flower

I photographed this Eryngo flower last week at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. I thought it important to show the plant detail.

Sep 04

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Eryngo, Focus Stack, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Eryngo

I made a trip to the LBJ Wildflower Center last week to photograph an Eryngo plant that I found growing near the Center's courtyard.

Sep 02

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Fairchild Botanical Garden, Florida, Flower, Miami, Rain Drops

Fairchild Botanical Garden

I made a trip to Coral Gables, Florida last year to attend a friend's wedding. We took some time to go to the Fairchild Botanical Garden.

Sep 01

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Texas Wildflowers, Western Wild Petunia

Western Wild Petunia

I photographed this Western Wild Petunia using a new piece of equipment that I acquired called a bellows. It allows for higher magnification.

Aug 22

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Heartless Hibiscus, LBJ Wildflower Center, Rail

Heartleaf Hibiscus

I photographed this Heartleaf Hibiscus at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center while practicing my manual focus rail technique.

Aug 20

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: Fire on the Mountain, LBJ Wildflower Center, Wild Poinsettia

Wild Poinsettia

I mentioned that the summer heat has turned into tropical rain. I decided to photograph a Wild Poinsettia in a secluded area of the center.

Aug 14

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: Focus Stack, Rock Rose, Texas Wildflowers

Rock Rose

I captured this image of a Rock Rose using the focus stacking technique. I used a manual focus rail instead of using the focus ring.

Aug 11

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: Buffalo Burr, Spider

Buffalo Bur and Spider

I spotted a budding Buffalo Bur plant growing while mowing last week. I went out earlier this week and photographed the plant outdoors.

Aug 10

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Blackfoot Daisy, LBJ Wildflower Center

Blackfoot Daisy

I photographed this Blackfoot Daisy at the LBJ Wildflower Center. As a member of the Aster family, it resembles many other Texas Wildflowers.

Aug 06

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Macro, Silver Dwarf Morning-glory

Silver Dwarf Morning-glory

This is an image of a Silver Dwarf Morning-glory bud. I was looking for subjects on my property and spotted this tiny plant.

Aug 05

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Turk's Cap, White Box

Turk’s Cap

This is another image taken in my studio with my white box. This time I photographed a Turk's Cap that was growing in between some hedges in the front yard.

Aug 03

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Macro, Rain Lily, White Box

Expired Rain Lily

I was mowing the lawn this week when I spotted a Rain Lily. I meant to photograph it while it was still in its full glory but I forgot and it was too late.

Jul 28

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 3 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Macropanorama, Purple Headed Gomphrena

Multi-column Macro Panorama

I decided to take a Purple Headed Gomphrenas into my studio light box to photograph a high resolution multi-column macro panorama focus stack image.

Jul 25

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: Purple Headed Gomphrena

Purple Headed Gomphrenas

I planted Purple Headed Gomphrenas in years past. They came up again on their own this year so I decided to photograph them before they wilt in the heat.

Jul 20

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend Ranch State Park, Engelmann's Prickly Pear, Flower

Another Prickly Pear Flower

This is another Prickly Pear flower taken during my trip to Big Bend earlier this year. I captured this photograph while hiking the Contrabando Trail.

Jul 19

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Cactus, Engelmann's Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear Flower

I captured this Prickly Pear flower at the Big Bend NP last spring. I like prickly pear plants because they are easy to spot and they have a lot of flowers.

Jul 18

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Cactus, Flower, Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus

Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus

This Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus image was taken during a hike on the Contrabando Trail at the Big Bend State Park during my visit to the area last spring.

Jul 17

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Fly, Queen Butterfly, Yellow Bells

Yellow Bells

We stopped alongside one of the park roads during last spring's trip to Big Bend National Park where I captured this photograph of some Yellow Bells.

Jul 01

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: False Dayflower, McKinney Falls State Park, Texas Wildflowers, Tinantia anomala

False Dayflower

The False Dayflower is one of my favorite flowers. I like it mostly because the petals and stamens together give the flower the appearance of having a face.

Jun 11

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 8 comments tags: Daylily, Flowers

Daylily Flower

Daylilies are perennial plants, whose Daylily name insinuates that the Daylily flower typically does not last more than 24 hours. They do tend to wilt fast.

Jun 05

by TK in Digital Darkroom, Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Calla Lily, Focus Stacking, Light Box

Calla Lily

It has been raining quite a bit and the ground is soggy so I decided to cut a Calla Lily and take it into my studio to do a detailed focus stack.

May 31

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: Pedernales Falls State Park, Texas Thistle

Texas Thistle

I captured this image of a Texas Thistle during my outing to the Pedernales Falls SP. A majestic plant with bright purple flowers is a magnet for insects.

May 17

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 2 comments tags: Nyala, South Africa, Zulu Nyala, Zulu-Nyala Game Lodge

Nyalas and Aloe

Two things that were very common at the Safari Lodge that I stayed at were Nyalas and Aloe plants. Nyalas came into the lodge compound frequently during my stay.

May 08

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, People & Lifestyles 2 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Happy Mother's Day, Rose

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother's Day!

May 07

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 0 comments tags: Agave, Big Bend National Park, Century Plant, Chisos Mountains

Centuries and Millennia

This photograph of the Chisos Mountain Range and the two Century Plants was taken at sunset on the western side of the Big Bend National Park.

May 06

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 1 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Chisos Mountains, Prickly Pear

Chisos Sunrise

We normally stop along Glen Springs Road to photograph the sunrise onto Nugent Mountain and the Chisos Mountain Range on our way out of Big Bend National Park.

May 05

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Desert Plants, Tree Cholla

Desert Plants

Desert plants like this Tree Cholla are not only beautiful but they have adapted to the environment and have been surviving and thriving for millennia.

May 03

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 0 comments tags: Flower Fly, Giant Spiderwort, Sphaerophoria Continua

Giant Spiderwort

I was photographing flowers when I spotted a tiny insect on a Giant Spiderwort. I thought it was a bee or a wasp but upon further research it was a flower fly.

May 02

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 0 comments tags: Flowers, LBJ Wildflower Center, Rain Lilly, Texas Wildflowers

Wildflower Meadow

One of the big advantages of going out to the LBJ Wildflower Center in Austin is to see the wildflower meadows in the springtime.

May 01

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Castelo Mountain, Prickly Pear

Cerro Castellan

Cerro Castellan (Castellan Mountain) is located near the Castolon Visitors Center (note the different spelling) on the scenic Ross Maxwell Drive in the Big Bend National Park.

Apr 30

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: LBJ Wildflower Center, Poem, Roadside Flowers

Roadside Flowers

My maternal grandparents loved the LBJ family and, like Lady Bird Johnson, my grandmother loved wildflowers. She wrote a poem titled "Roadside Flowers".

Apr 28

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 4 comments tags: LBJ Wildflower Center, Texas Paintbrush, Texas Wildflowers

Texas Paintbrush

This photograph of a Texas Paintbrush is another one in the series that I captured while attending the Plant Identification course at the LBJ Wildflower Center.

Apr 27

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 0 comments tags: Double-banded Bycid, LBJ Wildflower Center, Longhorn Beetle, Wild Carrot

Longhorn

I signed up for a Plant ID course at the LBJ Wildflower Center. I ran across this Double-banded Bycid hanging out on this Wild Carrot head during an outing.

Apr 25

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Chihuahuan Desert, Chisos Mountains, Prickly Pear Flower

Chihuahuan Desert

The Big Bend National Park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert. This desert is the second largest in North America, covering about 140,000 square miles.

Apr 20

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Cactus, Flower, Tree Cholla

Tree Cholla

I returned from my trip to Big Bend NP with hundreds of photos to process. In the meantime, I'll share a Tree Cholla flower that we found along Highway 118.

Apr 16

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Ocotillo, Sunset

Big Bend #4

We usually stop at the "Ocotillo Fields" near the park entrance to photograph the sunset on our first day at the Park. The official road is Texas Highway 118 and it's named "Panther Junction Road".

Apr 12

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Bull Creek, Canadian Onion, Texas Wildflowers, Wild Onion

Wild Onion Blooms

You know it's spring in Texas when you smell the Wild Onions. This is especially true if you are near a field that is being mowed, the aroma is amazing.

Apr 10

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Bokeh, McKinney Falls State Park, Red Poppy

Red Poppies

Red Poppies are not native to Texas. I normally only photograph Texas Wildflowers but the scene was so nice that I decided it would make a good photograph.

Apr 09

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: McKinney Falls State Park, Texas Paintbrush, Texas Wildflowers

Natural Paintbrush

Spring in Texas is the best time of year. Temperatures are pleasant and the wildflowers are in full bloom. Among the colorful flowers is the Texas Paintbrush.

Apr 08

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Greenthread, McKinney Falls State Park, Texas Wildflowers

Wide Macro

I purchased a Laowa 15mm Wide Angle Macro Lens last year to photograph wildflowers. I struggled to get decent results when I had an idea of how to improve.

Apr 04

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Aster, Bitterweed, Pedernales Falls National Park, Texas Bluebonnet

Bitter and Blue

This image of a Bitterweed in the foreground and the Texas Bluebonnet in the background was taken at Pedernales Falls State Park near the Bird Blind.

Mar 01

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: LBJ Wildflower Center, Texas Bluebonnet

Bluebonnet Time!

Spring is just around the corner which for us Texans means that it's Texas Bluebonnet time! This year, we are seeing Bluebonnet blooms much earlier than usual.

Jan 07

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 0 comments tags: Bull Creek, Rock and Tree

Black and White

Next in the digital B&W series is an image I have titled "Black and White". I did so because there are really only two colors, pure black and bright white.

Dec 26

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Clematis, Macro

Clematis

I planted a vine 9 years ago and each year the vine blooms with giant purple flowers. I never researched what I planted. It turns out it is a Clematis,

Dec 20

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Havard's fiddleleaf

Fiddleleaf

The flower below, Havard's fiddleleaf (Nama havardii) was one of the flowers that was new to my collection and is a rare plant as well.

Dec 18

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Sierra Del Chino, Whitethorn Acacia

Thorny

This thorny plant was pointed out to me by a friend during our trip to BBNP. We completed our sunrise shoot and turned our attention to flowering plants.

Dec 11

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Ocotillo, Sunset

Ocotillo Sunset

This Ocotillo Sunset was taken in an "ocotillo field" that is located near the main entrance to the park on Highway 118 close to mile marker #21.

Dec 10

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park

Sotol

The Sotol plant is very prominent throughout the Big Bend NP. It was during a trip to the park that I photographed the now dead and empty stalk.

Dec 09

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 2 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Ocotillo, Sunset

Fall Colors

We normally associate fall colors with Maple, Oak, Cottonwood and Aspen trees but, we seldom associate desert plants with fall colors.

Dec 07

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend National Park, Yellow Lichen

Gold Cobblestone

I was hiking the Lost Mine Trail in the Big Bend National Park the other day with some friends and I noticed this wonderful Gold Cobblestone Lichen.

Dec 05

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Bamboo, Garden of Eden, Hawaii, Maui

Bamboo

Bamboo is an amazing plant. It's not only the largest member of the grass family but it is also the fastest growing plant in the world.

Nov 08

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Tutorials 2 comments tags: Aperture Impact, Bokeh, Depth of Field, Soft Background

Soft

I have discussed the importance of soft backgrounds on some of my posts. In photography, this is referred to sometimes as Bokeh.

Nov 03

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 2 comments tags: Bugs, Spot-Sided Coreid

Spot Sided

I was out in the front yard trying to find some material for my blog when I ran across this Spot Sided Coreid minding his own business.

Nov 01

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 0 comments tags: Sunflower Goldeneye, Western Honey Bee

Golden

This is another image of the same Western Honey Bee (also known as European Honey Bee) that was part of my "Western" post the other day. I titled this one "Golden".

Oct 30

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 0 comments tags: Honey Bee, Sunflower Goldeneye

Western

I posted a Bee and Sunflower Tryptic made of images of flowers that are growing around the property and the Western Honey Bees harvesting the pollen.

Oct 27

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Bee, Triptych

Triptych

I decided to take a walk around the house to see if there was something interesting to shoot when I walked by a bunch of Sunflower Goldeneye flowers.

Oct 23

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 0 comments tags: Maximilian Sunflower, Sweat Bee, Walnut Creek Park

Sweat

I posted an image last week of Maximilian, a Maximilian Sunflower that was sporting a very nice creature. This is a different kind of creature. My best guess is that this is a Sweat Bee

Oct 15

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Wildlife 2 comments tags: Bee, Maximilian Sunflower, Walnut Creek

Maximilian

Maximilian was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire. But that's not the Maximilian I wanted to showcase. It's the Maximilian Sunflower that is the subject of this post.

Oct 09

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Biking, Texas Gayfeather, Walnut Creek Park

Feathers and Butterflies

Feathers and butterflies are not usually associated in the same way that bikes and flowers are as well. Texas Gayfeathers are know for attracting butterflies.

Oct 08

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Biking, Texas Gayfeather, Walnut Creek Park

Bikes and Flowers

I was invited by a friend of mine to do an unusual combination of mountain biking and Texas Wildflower photography. Bikes and flowers don't normally go together.

Sep 30

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Rock Rose

Rock-n-Rose

Well, it's not really Rock-n-Rose but rather Rock Rose. This flower (Pavonia lasiopetala) is a native Texas Wildflower.

Sep 22

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Light Box, Purple Mum

Quartet

There was a flower arrangement that was about to start wilting so I decided to take this quartet of purple mums into my light box and capture them for posterity.

Sep 18

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend NP, Cactus, Spiny Hedge Hog

Fruit Rollups

The Spiny Hedge Hog is found throughout Texas. I found this specimen during my trip to Big Bend earlier this year. The stigma looks like fruit rollups.

Sep 17

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend NP, Cattail Falls, Engelmann's Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Baby

I was hiking In Big Bend when I ran across this Engelmann's Prickly Pear Cactus on the way to see Cattail Falls. I was fond of this little prickly baby bud.

Sep 15

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Focus Stacking, Light Box, Mexican Hat, Texas Wildflowers

Mexican Hat

On of my favorite Texas Wildflowers is the Mexican Hat. Not only do I think that the name is cool but so is the flower.

Sep 14

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend NP, Cattail Falls Trail, Soaptree Yucca

Soapy Asparagus

I'm sure the title "Soapy Asparagus" conjures up terrible childhood memories. The combination of soap and asparagus is not something any of us care to think about. But, those words are not what they seem.

Sep 02

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Buffalo, Buffalo Botanical Gardens, Cactus, New York

Buffalo Cactus

During my recent trip to Buffalo I was able to visit the Buffalo Botanical Gardens in addition to visiting the Basilica. My favorite part of the tour was the cactus exhibit. I named this one Buffalo Cactus.

Aug 30

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images, Nature & Landscapes 2 comments tags: Big Bend NP, Sunset, Wildflowers

Big Bend NP Sunset

I made a trip to Big Bend NP in April of 2015. It was a great time for Texas Wildflower photography and for a great Big Bend NP Sunset.

Aug 28

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 2 comments tags: Indian Blanket, Studio Whitebox, Texas Wildflowers

Indian Blanket

Indian Blanket is one of my favorite Texas Wildflowers. It grows in the late spring and early summer and is one of the more colorful wildflowers in this area.

Aug 22

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Images 0 comments tags: Big Bend NP, Cactus, Engleman's Prickly Pear Cactus

Very Prickly

While doing some editing I ran across this Engelmann's Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii) and I thought this very prickly image would make a good post.

Aug 14

by TK in Flowers & Plants 0 comments tags: Austin, Rain Lily, Texas Widlflowers

Rain Lily

I spotted this Rain Lily (Cooperia pedunculata) back in May growing in the wild area of my property. I was about to have knee surgery so I could not kneel down to shoot it.

Aug 05

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Digital Darkroom, Flowers & Plants 1 comments tags: Drop, Focus Stacking, Purple Mum, Water Droplet

Water Droplet on a Purple Mum

I was experimenting with my white box and my 5x macro lens earlier this year. I was also trying to improve my focus stacking technique with high-magnification subjects.

Aug 02

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Wildlife 2 comments tags: Crab Spider, Purple Horsemint

Spider, Spider on the Flower!

I began taking Texas Wildflower photographs early in 2015 after a discussion with some of my photography friends. At first I did not think that I would be interested in "taking pictures of flowers", but, it was fun and intriguing.

Jul 23

by TK in Close-Up & Macro, Digital Darkroom, Flowers & Plants 0 comments tags: Macro, Pollen, Rock Rose, Seeds

Rock Rose Pollen and Seeds

Another macro photography example. This one is of pollen and seeds from a Rock Rose, a native plant of Texas. I was actually trying to do another focus stack but the flower kept wilting.

Jul 12

by TK in Flowers & Plants, Wildlife 0 comments tags: Crab Spider, Macro, Purple Horsemint

Crab Spider on Purple Horsemint

I was in my photography studio taking pictures of a Purple Horsemint for my Texas Wildflower collection when I spotted this tiny crab spider.

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Taughannock Waterfall

Thank You!

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