I think the one job I would love above any other, save homeschooling mom of two, would be wildflower photographer for a guide book. True, it takes me ten shots to get one good one and I still haven't really figured out how to use my camera, but I love hunting them down. I love messing with the settings until I capture the color exactly.
My husband gave me this most amazing gift of watching the children while I went hiking by myself last week. It was freeing and surprising. I had no idea what lengths I would go to in order to snap a photo. I was surprised and amused to see all the scratches and bruises on my legs that I acquired in the process.
It was a dry year for the entire southwest and the lupines in particular looked a little worn. I didn't discover much I hadn't photographed before. I thought about inserting all my wildflower photos into this post, but after I looked at the list, it would include about fifty photos. So this is just a handful, not even necessarily my favorites.
This little beauty was new to me though. Mountain Gentian. It seemed fairly common on our hike, but we were in a spot we'd never been before.
A wild geranium. Also fairly common, but very charming.
Oxeye Daisy (with asters in the backgroud). There were huge fields of these flowers.
Scarlet Gilia. Look at the purple at the base of the flower. Isn't it lovely? I made my husband stop the truck so I could jump out and get this one.
Monskhood, my favorite. These grow in a tangle alongside mountain streams, mingled with wild raspberries, ferns, and mosses. Despite using two cameras and a wide variety of settings, I could not capture the blackish purple of the flowers. This is the most accurate, but not exact. The sky blue of the flax flowers is also tricky and came out way too dark in most of my photos.
I still have so many to sort through, but it was another great year for hunting mountain wildflowers.
oh i would love that job too! so very much!
Posted by: kamana | August 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Simply gorgeous photos, Jen. Hoping to see some mountain wildflowers soon, myself. We're heading to our favorite little mountain town for our anniversary next week.
Posted by: Kelly | August 18, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Oh THANK you for sharing!!! Loved this post.
Posted by: Elisa | August 18, 2011 at 12:20 PM
I love the picture of you taking a picture!!! It's so YOU! And you would be a perfect wildflower photographer.
Posted by: Charlotte | August 18, 2011 at 01:25 PM
What fun, I SOOO miss my mountain wildflowers, makes me jealous to see them all! You are so good at photography Jenn, you could totally do it and be good, probably make a killing :) Hugs to those cuties!!
Posted by: Meredith | August 18, 2011 at 02:23 PM
I really love these photos! I am not a summer gal so I am longing for cooler weather so I can actually spend some time out of doors. I miss being able to sit outside for more than hour without going into shock. You are making me long for hikes and days spent enjoying nature.
Oh autumn, when will you come?
Posted by: Amy Caroline | August 18, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Im the same way Amy. The temp was probably 50-60 degrees in these photos. I love crisp mountain air!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 18, 2011 at 03:31 PM
So beautiful! And I like your weblog header and colour at the moment too :-) Actually, I always like it.
Posted by: sarah | August 19, 2011 at 12:10 AM