The closest look yet at old plainsman flowers
Here’s the closest look yet at the flowers of old plainsman, Hymenopappus scabiosaeus. You won’t mind, will you, if the red and black beetle blocks a portion of your view?
I took this picture yesterday, April 20, on FM 971 in Georgetown, some 20–25 miles north of Austin.
To see the various places where this species of old plainsman grows, you can check out the state-clickable map at the USDA.
© 2013 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Lovely Steve!
Tina Schell
April 21, 2013 at 2:10 PM
The flowers, the beetle, or the photographer?
Steve Schwartzman
April 21, 2013 at 2:21 PM
All of the above, of course. 😀
kathryningrid
April 21, 2013 at 8:56 PM
Thanks for your vote of confidence, which is sight unseen when it comes to the photographer.
Steve Schwartzman
April 21, 2013 at 10:54 PM
What a great photo: the delicate, white blossoms and the black and red, almost machine-like beetle. Wonderful study in contrasts.
mrsdaffodil
April 21, 2013 at 3:20 PM
Thanks for your appreciation and analysis of the photo.
Steve Schwartzman
April 21, 2013 at 3:34 PM
The beetle just belongs there!
montucky
April 21, 2013 at 11:36 PM
That’s a good way to put it, Terry.
Steve Schwartzman
April 22, 2013 at 5:12 AM
Very nice! Channeling the beetle, imagining its POV. “Whooooaaaah!I … Need … to … back … up … veeery … slooow…ly.”
whilldtkwriter
April 22, 2013 at 6:30 AM
The phrase “channeling the beetle” struck me as unique, so I did a Google search (in quotes) and got no hits. Thanks for your original take on this.
Steve Schwartzman
April 22, 2013 at 8:24 AM
Beautiful flower but I also liked the beetle. Insects are interesting to photograph too as they are amazingly unique and so different from one another.
Mary Mageau
April 22, 2013 at 7:10 PM
You’re right: there are many more species of insects than there are of plants. I photograph insects when I can but in many cases I don’t know what species they are. A few local experts sometimes identify them for me, but I don’t like to bug those people too often.
Steve Schwartzman
April 22, 2013 at 7:25 PM
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