White prickly poppy capsule
And here’s a picture from April 6 of a developing white prickly poppy plant, Argemone albiflora, in a field on FM 969 west of Bastrop that was heavily colonized by purple phlox. If the previous photographs of this species left you wondering about the prickly in white prickly poppy, today’s image should leave no doubt about the accuracy of that part of the name.
And if you’re interested in the craft of photography, you’ll find that points 1, 2 and 5 in About My Photographs apply to this picture.
© 2012 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Oooh, beautiful capture, Steven! I love the bokeh and the pop of pink behind the bright green, the composition, the lighting….and I love the dynamic of the two horizontal “arms” going in two different directions. Well done!
cindydyer
April 24, 2012 at 7:33 AM
I appreciate your “oooh,” Cindy, and your more specific comments about what makes the photograph work for you. I see this as an animated figure with arms outspread.
Steve Schwartzman
April 24, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Great background color for this shot! Love the details!
Michael Glover
April 24, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Thanks, Michael. The contrast of the poppy’s color with the background’s color is what grabbed me.
Steve Schwartzman
April 24, 2012 at 1:49 PM
I’m with Michael — green and purple, nice combination.
Shannon
April 24, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Welcome aboard for this color combination, Shannon.
Steve Schwartzman
April 24, 2012 at 8:04 PM
When they decide it’s time for another horror movie involving plants, this one should be first in line for star billing. I thought the agarita was the worst, but this is right up there in the “look but don’t touch” category.
shoreacres
April 25, 2012 at 7:04 AM
This may look scary, and with reason, but there’s still scarier in Austin. At some point I’ll show you what that is (coincidentally I was thinking about it this morning before I saw your comment here).
Steve Schwartzman
April 25, 2012 at 7:37 AM
Wow ! Great color combination in this photo of a such an unusual plant!!! After reading previous comments I am now reminded of the character Shrek…I guess I have a weird imagination…
dhphotosite
April 25, 2012 at 8:25 AM
I see that the poppy’s color matches Shrek’s. At least the spines didn’t make you shriek.
Steve Schwartzman
April 25, 2012 at 9:19 AM
The little shop of horrors! Besides the weirdness of the plant, I like the two tones background.
Neurobancal
April 26, 2012 at 9:32 PM
First Tim Burton and now Roger Corman. I’ll agree with you on the background, whose two tones set off the green of the prickly poppy.
Steve Schwartzman
April 26, 2012 at 9:39 PM