Perspectives on Nature Photography
The wildflower I saw the most at Illinois Beach State Park in early June was the sand coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata.
© Steven Schwartzman
Written by Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 5:00 AM
Posted in nature photography
Tagged with coreopsis, Illinois. flower, wildflower, yellow
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very nice
nalinidesignprofile
July 13, 2016 at 5:03 AM
Like a stylized sunburst.
Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 8:51 AM
Common is often beautiful as is plainly evident in these shots, Steve.
Steve Gingold
July 13, 2016 at 5:10 AM
Maybe I should’ve written “numerous” to avoid the negative connotations that “common” can have.
Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 9:07 AM
I just went back and rewrote the post’s first sentence.
Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 10:05 AM
Well done, Steven.
elmdriveimages
July 13, 2016 at 6:52 AM
Thank you. I wish I could walk down to the beach this morning and take more photographs of these and other flowers.
Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 9:08 AM
So perfect
Chas Spain
July 13, 2016 at 7:10 AM
Ah, the elusive perfection.
Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 9:09 AM
Absolute perfection! Many thanks for sharing this one.
Michael Richards (certainline)
July 13, 2016 at 7:26 AM
You’re welcome. I hardly expected two comments in a row about perfection.
Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 9:10 AM
I really like the bold and stylized first photo. The slight variations among the tips of the rays are especially fun, but I have to confess, as a group, they remind me of webbed feet.
The second photo’s the interesting one, with its three layers. The rays and green sepals are obvious, but what about that middle layer? Are those differently colored sepals, or shadows, or something else? I do love coreopsis, and this one’s particularly attractive.
shoreacres
July 13, 2016 at 10:34 AM
Eve also asked about that middle layer. Unfortunately I don’t know the answer. I’d run over to the beach and take a look if that weren’t a 1300+ mile jaunt.
The tips of the rays are similar to those of the Nueces coreopsis that ranges to about an hour’s drive south of Austin:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/nueces-coreopsis/
Steve Schwartzman
July 13, 2016 at 10:42 AM
It was fun to scroll through your coreopsis archives. I’m certain now that it’s Coreopsis tinctoria that filled the Galveston cemetery. I’m hoping I have some photos that show a bit of the same “golden wave” effect that you captured at Brushy Creek Lake.
shoreacres
July 14, 2016 at 12:53 PM
That colony alongside Brushy Creek Lake remains the best I’ve ever seen in the Austin area. From what you said a while back, the colony in the Galveston Cemetery this spring must have rivaled it—and Galveston is a place where you can see real waves and not just golden ones.
Steve Schwartzman
July 14, 2016 at 1:36 PM
Exquisite definition ..
Julie@frogpondfarm
July 14, 2016 at 3:27 AM
The dark background fosters that definition.
Steve Schwartzman
July 14, 2016 at 4:57 AM
It’s beautiful from both angles.
My Small Surrenders
July 16, 2016 at 9:49 AM
I’m an equal opportunity photographer.
Steve Schwartzman
July 16, 2016 at 12:34 PM
I admire the sharp shapes of the petals of this flower. It appeals to my fondness for geometry. I’m not sure if there is something odd about my eyes but when I quickly glance at the shot on and off, the petals seem to move outwards and become longer briefly. I wonder if anyone else sees this illusion.
Jane
July 21, 2016 at 10:47 PM
And I admire the sound of the words “sharp shapes.” I tried your quick glances on and off but my eyes proved stodgy rather than dodgy and I didn’t see the illusion you described. At other times, though, shapes have seemed to expand or contract as I’ve scrolled an image.
Steve Schwartzman
July 21, 2016 at 11:14 PM