Wild Ginger, Sunlit from Behind

Wild Ginger, sunlit from behind with raindrops, April 18, 2006. This photo and others from that same sunny morning (after the evening rain) provide evidence that intense sunlight can detract from an otherwise wonderful photo. To the eye, the shiny wet leaves looked rather nice, but the image itself would have been much better if I had been able to diffuse the light just a bit to reduce some of the contrast and reflection. It was only about 10:30 AM, but still the sun was already rather bright. Compare this to the more even lighting on the Dutchmen's leaves just below. I used a diffuser for them, and they seem to look a lot better. The diffuser on the Dutchem leaves helped even out the light and allows the shape and texture of the plant to come through.

Dutchmen Breeches Leaves, with Diffused Light

Dutchmen Breeches leaves with drops of rain, April 18, 2006. I went out to the woods on this morning specifically because I was hoping to find a shot like this. I found others too (see below), but the lighting on this one seems best.

The First Wild Geranium Blossom

Wild Geranium closeup, April 18, 2006, in south-western Virginia. For a wider view of this plant, which I found beside a trail, check the photo below. Due to the closeup nature of this shot, I was able to throw the background out of focus. The background was the dark brown dirt of the trail.

Wild Geranium, April 18, 2006. I found this early blossom along the trail beside lots of Dutchem's Breeches (see below). This and one other flower were the only geraniums in bloom.

Dutchman's Breeches

Dutchmen's Breeches leaves on top of Virginia Waterleaf leaves, the morning after a rainy night, April 18, 2006. The leaves are side-lit a little harshly, but I like the way the light adds three dimensionality to the image.
I wish I had taken at least one shot of this plant using my diffuser to cut the intensity of the light. I really should have done that. But I was afraid I might lose some of the beauty if I cut the light. Finding a shot like this again will be a challenge, but I will try to do something like it when I return to the Smokies. When down there earlier this month, I found quite a bit of Dutchmen's breeches, as well as its relative, Squirrel corn.

Photography in High Gear

I just returned from nine days in the Smoky Mountains with LOTS of images to load on to my computer, sort, edit, etc. Then in one week, I will head out again to do more photography and will be gone until May 2. For this reason, I will likely post VERY FEW things this month. But I hope to post at least a couple things sometime this week. But this is spring, and now is the time to get the photos. I can organize things and post them later, but spring is the time to be out in the woods with the wildflowers and everything else.

Skunk Cabbage Flowers

Skunk Cabbage, March 29, 2006. I found these skunk cabbages on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mabry Mill. I didn't have much time to photograph these, but it was nice to spend time with this cabbage patch in a relatively natural woodland setting. I will return later this spring to photograph the plants in a later stage of development, after the flowers whither and the leaves begin to grow.