Photography

Blue Dicks Photo Print

Hi Everyone! I have something very special to share with you today. There is a trail not too far away from where I live. It’s not a very large trail, about 1.25 miles one way. Parts of it get very steep and most of the year it is completely dry. However, in early spring, I have seen the most variety of wildflowers in that small of an area.

Western Blue Eyed Grass Photo Print

Since a few years ago, I have been taking portraits of these little beauties. I thought I would share them here along with what it takes to get these photos.

They never grow where I can comfortably position myself to take a photo. So, I need to place myself in very awkward positions most of the time. Thankfully, the trail is a quiet one.

Milkmaids Photo Print

Most of them are really tiny, between 0.5cm and 1.0cm. Keeping myself steady and focusing on the right part of the flower gets a bit tricky. I have to use my eyes and not depend on the camera. Not to mention, the slightest breeze throws another wrench in the whole game.

Star Lily Photo Print

I had to play with the camera settings quite a bit to capture something that small. There is not much room for adjustment, so I have to be there at the right time when the sun is not too harsh but the flowers are lit up properly.

Golden Fairy Lantern Photo Print

I really love these little wildflowers. As you already know, due to severe allergies, I end up getting chest constriction if I spend too much time outside. So my dear husband keeps a keen watch on the time. Despite that, I sometimes get carried away by the love of photographing these beauties and pay for it dearly afterwards, but the time I get to spend there is always extremely special.

The Golden Fairy Lantern is a flower that is endemic to Northern California. These two were tucked away by an oak tree. When I went back the week after, I looked for them and, to my surprise, found them too. They were a bit worse for wear, but still pretty. It made me very happy to see them again, like seeing a couple of old friends.

There are little green butterflies that I also see on the trail, the same kind that flutter around in our garden too. They are so sweet and I love seeing them. It was easier to draw one in with the flowers, than trying to capture them in a photo. Those little flowers are challenging enough for me.

Golden Fairy Lantern Photo Print

There’s an immense sense of joy when I get those photos where everything works out. The composition, light, focus all work together to capture the essence of these little ephemeral beauties.

Here is a Gallery of all the Wildflower Portraits together. Please click on the image thumbnails to see the pictures and the names –

Purchase wildflowers photo prints

I have added these photo prints to my shop. I print them on high quality photo paper using archival ink. They can be framed as-is in a 5″ x 7″ frame, used as greeting/note cards, or simply displayed on a small table easel.

They are very special to me and I hope you enjoyed them too. Let me know if you have a favourite.

I look forward to seeing your photos and reading about them.

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The Birthday Surprise

The weather forecast for my birthday was cloudy skies, but no rain. Then, all of a sudden in the afternoon, it started to rain and then snow began to fall. I was out of the car faster than a lightning bolt, beelining for the trees.

There was a not a single grown-up in the vicinity, only children playing. I felt very happy to be part of that group.

When we left the trees, the storm clouds started to break on the north side. If we were there, we would have seen the most amazing post-storm pink and red sky. However, with the time it would have taken us to get there, we would likely have missed the light completely. So we decided to drive into the clouds instead.

I could not have been happier. Blue hour in winter is my most favourite time for photography. That day, Mother Nature added storm clouds and mist, and this birthday girl was over the moon.

After setting up the camera, I watched the clouds and the mist flowing and playing in the meadow and the mountains behind until complete darkness surrounded us. My surprise birthday present from Mother Nature.

Once we got back to the hotel, my husband gave me the other set of birthday gifts. Then he busied himself with cooking while I played with my newly-acquired inks and pens.

The Dragon and the little boy

This is a painting I started with the fountain pen inks I got for my birthday. A story for another day.

March marks the end of outdoor time for me due to severe pollen allergies that cause chest constriction. Until October, fresh air is basically off limits except for a very limited time early in the morning when the air is completely still.

Spending a birthday in cold winter rain and snow and walking in -11C temperatures is probably not most people’s cup of tea, but it was a flask-full of tea for me! You will have to excuse me for being head over heels in love with the subtle and quiet beauty of winter and all that is considered dark and gloomy weather.