Backlit Lindheimer’s senna flower
Senna lindheimeriana; October 22 west of Morado Circle.
© 2019 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers
Perspectives on Nature Photography
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Portraits of Wildflowers 
This is striking.
melissabluefineart
November 17, 2019 at 8:37 AM
Better that than striking out.
Steve Schwartzman
November 17, 2019 at 9:33 AM
Exquisite.
Michael Scandling
November 17, 2019 at 9:20 AM
Succinctly so.
Steve Schwartzman
November 17, 2019 at 9:34 AM
Great petal detail … the backlighting really works wonders here!
denisebushphoto
November 17, 2019 at 9:24 AM
Backlighting is a photographer’s friend, at least when it doesn’t blow out a picture.
Steve Schwartzman
November 17, 2019 at 9:35 AM
Again it is dark background that lends beauty and brilliance to the flower. Great shot, Steve!
Peter Klopp
November 17, 2019 at 9:55 AM
Such a bright yellow called out for backlighting here, and I got down low to make that happen.
Steve Schwartzman
November 17, 2019 at 10:26 AM
The backlighting is emphasizing the crinkled petals in a way that side-lighting might. Quite a striking portrait.
Steve Gingold
November 17, 2019 at 10:28 AM
Fortunately a shadowed stand of nearby trees provided the dark background I needed for the backlighting to be its most effective.
Steve Schwartzman
November 17, 2019 at 12:07 PM
A right little ray of sunshine! Beautiful photo, Steve!
Tina
November 17, 2019 at 11:12 AM
The coming r of the ray in your comment my have turned bright to right, or from the beginning you may have had the bright idea of changing the traditional bright to right, which is all right with me.
Steve Schwartzman
November 17, 2019 at 12:14 PM
Correct–and right!
Tina
November 17, 2019 at 1:06 PM
How right you are.
Steve Schwartzman
November 17, 2019 at 2:28 PM
I still remember the first time I saw this flower. It was at the Medina River crossing on Highway 16, just north of the town of Medina. That same weekend I saw Lindheimer’s own herbarium sheet for the plant. I loved the history of that, but I love the beauty of your photo. It brings the flower alive in a special way.
shoreacres
November 17, 2019 at 9:20 PM
Like you, I often remember where I saw a species for the first time, especially if there’s a reinforcing connection, like your getting to look at Lindheimer’s herbarium sheet on the same weekend. Lindheimer’s senna is so common in Austin that this time I don’t remember where I first came across it. The challenge with such a familiar species is to find unaccustomed ways to portray it. Backlighting did the trick this time.
Steve Schwartzman
November 18, 2019 at 8:48 AM
High impact and oh so beautiful! Mine never get a chance to bloom here because Bob always forgets they aren’t weeds. 😠 I will be sharing your photo with him tomorrow.
Lynda
November 17, 2019 at 9:45 PM
Thanks, Lynda. I’m sorry to hear your sennas accidentally get treated as weeds. If this picture can change Bob’s mind, so much the better.
Steve Schwartzman
November 18, 2019 at 8:50 AM
Backlit and super-lit-ive.
Gallivanta
November 18, 2019 at 4:32 AM
Well said. I wanted to reply that your comment is su-purr-lative, but you have a dog, and not once during our two visits did I hear it purr.
Steve Schwartzman
November 18, 2019 at 8:41 AM
Sadly, no, but like his owner, he does a mean sigh.
Gallivanta
November 21, 2019 at 5:21 AM
Wow! Gorgeous!
montucky
November 18, 2019 at 8:33 PM
I like your enthusiasm, Terry.
Steve Schwartzman
November 18, 2019 at 9:06 PM
Stunning! Jaw dropping even!
Jessica
November 19, 2019 at 9:42 PM
I like your enthusiasm, but be careful your jaw doesn’t drop too far and get damaged.
Steve Schwartzman
November 23, 2019 at 10:04 AM