It's Mayapple Time

Gallery: FloraPosted May 2, 201151 views9 comments

Several stands of mayapples are in the woods, right on schedule. While it is not a spectacular wildflower, it is an unusual plant and I think worth recording.

A single blossom about an inch across forms at the fork of the single stem. The blossom is almost hidden beneath a very wide, deeply lobed leaf. Without a fork, it is sterile and does not blossom.

I tried to show both the blossom and the underside of the leaf by cutting one stem from a large stand and resting it on a nearby rock. Canon 7D, 90mm macro lens, hand held at 1/640, f/6.3, ISO 400. Comments always welcome, thanks.

Dave Thomas, Leesburg, Virginia

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 2, 2011 at 12:30 PM

Very worthwhile in my opinion and you did a fine job with low light and hand held. Glad to see wildflowers shown in flora and explained as you have. This being "Nature" Photographers Net "wildflowers" in their natural setting and not in a vase fits me perfectly. Thanks for posting this.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 2, 2011 at 6:30 PM

Mayapples are so interesting and very hard to photograph. You did well with this one. I like your composition with the sharp flower in the lower right and the leave flowing off to the left and going out of focus.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 2, 2011 at 7:57 PM

David: Wonderful find and a solid comp. Many kudos.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on May 2, 2011 at 8:11 PM

Nice work! I took some shot of these over the weekend and none turned out this well. I think you did a nice job with the subtle details on the white petals. The lighting, exposure and DOF are all right on. This may just inspire me to have another go at it.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on May 2, 2011 at 9:32 PM

A very fine capture David. Strong comp for my tastes and perfect whites. Interesting explanation of the branch and placing the leaf where you did was a great idea. Very fine photography for my tastes.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Bob&Charly Nelson on May 3, 2011 at 1:45 PM

Wonderful whites and composition David. Very well seen and recorded in my opinion.
Bob

Registered on October 27, 2005, 289 Posts, 4202 Comments

Comment posted by Bernie Kasper on May 3, 2011 at 2:35 PM

Wonderful work David, love the split stem in this, great capture !!

Registered on June 5, 2005, 251 Posts, 3734 Comments

Comment posted by David Thomas on May 5, 2011 at 10:12 AM

Thanks everyone. The feedback is really appreciated by an 80-year-old who has been taking pictures (not the same as being a photographer) for 55 years but still feels like a novice in this wonderful crowd.

Registered on June 21, 2010, 30 Posts, 178 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on May 13, 2011 at 11:07 AM

A fine image David. Wonderful detail in the white petels and excellent comp.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments