St. Paul, MN Photos

Wild Rose

I have been taking pictures of native plants and wildflowers for years.  One fourth of July weekend just for the heck of it I started a wildflower blog.  I set it up so people can search by color so they can find photos of wildflowers and use them to help identify plants.  I can’t post on it in the winter because there is nothing to shoot.  This year I am going to Southern Minnesota just to photograph wild flowers that are not found anywhere else in the state.  My goal is to photograph all of the indigenous wildflower species in the state.  I figure it will take at least five years.  I am looking forward to the hunt.  Those hours outside walking through fields and exploring the woods.

Last month several of my photos were used by a group in Ohio for a wildflower seed exchange and a master gardener from the twin cities plans to use some of the photos in a presentation to promote the idea of growing native species in gardens.  I like having the photos used that way and it makes my wild hobby that much more rewarding.

Water Lillie

In the late afternoon the sun hits the pond and lights up the Lillie.  This is the first I have seen in bloom this year at the Como Park Conservatory but I know it won’t be the last and I will try not to shoot them all.

Green and growing

I read an article once that I have to say I agree with.  The writer said that the built-in camera flash that comes with the DSLR camera should be removed and thrown in the trash so that you are not tempted to use it.  I used an on camera flash for this shot at 1/4 power.  I think there are times when a little light is needed and the on camera flash can be used, but most of the time it just mucks up the photo.