Flowers and Abstracts

Alpine Springbeauty

The Alpine Springbeauty is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. This diminutive white blossom can be found in open areas throughout the area.

Jupiter Detail

As thermal water flows over the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, hot water loving bacteria called thermophiles thrive in the hot water. These thermophiles are photosynthetic, which means they need sunlight in order to survive. These thermophiles are responsible for the colors in this photo. Where hot water has recently flowed, the limestone terraces are white. As they age, the limestone turns grey and starts to slough off. I shot this photo with a telephoto lens to focus on the patterns and pale color.

Forget-Me-Not

Alpine Forget-Me-Nots are a diminutive spring bloom. They grow on thin stalks 1-2 feet off the ground.

Deceptive Beauty

This lovely flower has the rather unfortunate name of Foothills Death Camas. It grows widely in open area throughout the west and is toxic to people and animals. With the grey skies I got low to the ground to eliminate as much of the sky as possible and place the prairie grasses behind the small stalk of flowers.

Golden Abstract

This is a small grove of aspen trees along the road in Grand Teton National Park. Using a slow shutter speed of a 1/2 second and moving the camera, I created this abstract photograph. It's a fun technique to play around with as each photo comes out different.

Hedgehog Red

The brilliant red of the Hedgehog Cactus (also known as a Claret Cup) adds a splash of color to the desert in spring.

Cholla Green

I have a love/hate relationship with Teddy Bear Chollas. They have lovely delicate green flowers in the spring, but they are also known as Jumping Chollas for the ability of the little balls of spines to "jump" off the cactus and attach themselves to you.

Barrel Cactus Abstract

The spines on a California Barrel Cactus. I liked the lines so much so that I decided to make the image black and white to showcase the abstract lines and patterns.

Cactus Spine Black and White

I found this little cactus growing at the base of a large Teddy Bear Cholla. I liked the look of the spines and the way they stood out against the shadowed backdrop. Cactus spines are modified leaves. In a desert environment where conserving the small amount of water available is crucial, it's not a benefit to have a lot of surface area. Spines don't have a lot of surface area for moisture to evaporate from, they protect the cactus from most predators, and they do help shade the cactus from evaporation.

Salsify Abstract

This is a macro shot of the seed ball of the Salsify flower.

The Heart

Looking into the center of a Salsify seed ball.

Pretty In Purple

Lupine are one of my favorite spring flowers. So when I heard the lupine were blooming in the Tetons, I just had to head down there to see. I found a couple of very good patches that I could have spent hours in if it hadn't been windy. This was right next to the Pilgrim Creek Road in Grand Teton National Park. This small patch was shaded by a nearby hill which helped with the soft, cool colors.

Lodgepole Abstract

Lines

The patterns in the sand at Goblin Valley State Park were hypnotic. Surrounding the goblins, were these patterns where water had flowed around and down the goblins.

The Fairyslipper

This is the Calypso Orchid (also known at the Fairyslipper Orchid). They grow in small bunches less than a foot off the ground in wooded areas.

Morning Light

This lovely little purple flower is called a Sugar Bowl. They are also known as Vase-flowers and Hairy Clematis. They can be found in British Columbia south into eastern Washington and Oregon and Montana and Wyoming. They can be found in sagebrush plains and grasslands and Ponderosa Pine forests.

Forget Me Not

These little Alpine Forget Me Nots have been blooming profously all over the Northern Range of Yellowstone; their beautiful sky blue hue brightening up the forest floor.

If you look closely at the Mammoth Terraces, in many areas, this is what you would see.

Tree Abstract

I decided to have a little fun with the bobby socks trees near Fountain Paint Pots.

Siyeh Creek Abstract

Siyeh Creek on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has some very interesting looking rocks. I could spend hours wandering around up there.

Butterfly

I found this butterfly sitting on what I think is a dandilion flower. I believe this is a species of Checkerspot butterfly.

Rocky Mountain Iris

Black Pool Detail

This is the sinter lining around Black Pool at West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

These flowers can be found all around Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I always enjoy seeing these bright yellow blooms, but have never really stopped to photograph them until now.