Bushy bluestem once more
Another thing I photographed at the edge of a pond in far northwest Austin on February 27th was this bushy bluestem, Andropogon glomeratus. You might assume the blue in the background is from water, but I was facing away from the pond and toward some shaded woods, so the blue would’ve come from dapples of light or bits of sky visible through the darker trees. Today’s backlit photograph is a more chiaroscuro look at this grass than any I’ve previously shown (or probably ever taken).
© 2014 Steven Schwartzman
Oh, my. This one’s breath-taking. I’ve never seen my favorite grass look so handsome. And look at that bit of iridescence strung across the top – what a lovely grace note.
shoreacres
March 18, 2014 at 6:08 AM
This is a species I’ve felt called to photograph many times, and one I’ve showed here as recently as three months ago (https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2013/12/27/bushy-bluestem-turned-fluffy), so I was pleased to be able to portray it in a different light, literally and figuratively. As for that iridescent line near the top, spiders grace just about every plant out there, though not everyone considers it a grace. Sometimes I clear away bits of spider silk, other times I let them be (especially when I don’t notice them).
Steve Schwartzman
March 18, 2014 at 6:29 AM
That’s really beautiful. I’ve been enjoying your blog.
anomadlife
March 18, 2014 at 9:53 AM
Thanks for letting me know you like this picture in particular and this blog in general. I do what I can to make people aware of the many native species that grow here.
Steve Schwartzman
March 18, 2014 at 11:21 AM
always a joy to visit your posts.
sedge808
March 18, 2014 at 9:50 PM
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them.
Steve Schwartzman
March 18, 2014 at 10:25 PM