Blooming Mountain Bluebells and dew drops – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This spring I’ve been making more of an effort to photograph some of the wildflowers I see while I am out looking for birds. Prior to becoming so passionate about photographing our feathered friends I spent a lot of my time taking images of the flowers and insects I found in my journeys because I didn’t need long lenses to take photos of them plus I found them beautiful and fascinating. Now, I photograph them because everything in nature IS connected.
Last week I saw several clumps of blooming Mountain Bluebells that were dripping with dew drops from rains that fell overnight and I felt that I had to stop and take photos of them. I know they don’t bloom for long.
Dew drops and Mountain Bluebells – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The dew drops glistened in the sunlight and the flowers looked spectacular. Mountain Bluebells (Mertensia ciliata) are also called Streamside and Tall Fringed Bluebells and they can be found in the Western U.S. The individual flowers start off pink but turn blue to purple before they bloom.
Mountain Bluebell close up – Nikon D500, f10, 1/500, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Mountain Bluebells are native wildflowers from the Borage family that I find in alpine and riparian areas here in northern Utah. Looking at this close up it is easy to see where they got the “bluebell” part of their name. These wildflowers bloom in late spring to early summer.
I have yet to see or photograph a pollinator on the flowers and I wonder why.
Life is good.
Mia
P.S., I originally had these labeled as Oblongleaf Bluebells but my friend Eve Wills gave me the correct species ID.
Click here to see more of my wildflower photos along with shrubs and trees.
Truly exquisite shots Mia. Your versatility as a photographer never ceases to amaze me. The dew drops you captured are so tight I can almost feel the wetness. Thanks.
Used to call them Hairbells. Starting to bloom in Northern Alberta also
Simple and exquisite. I am intrigued about the pollinators and wonder if Dick Harlow could be right.
I am looking forward to seeing them and the cool fresh mountain air.
Wonderful, Mia – you are so generous in your posts. Thank you!
Nice
I am glad you are doing this (photographing the wildflowers). Seeing the wildflowers is a special additive aspect of bird photography. And learning the technical names of the flowers and plants incorporated in your images is one of the reasons I enjoy your blog.
Beautiful!! Could the pollinators be moths? night insects?
Sure could!!! As Mia said, “It’s all connected” …they may even have day and night pollinators at wofk, so plants do. I LOVE Mia’s plant, insect, mammal, landscapes and cloudscapes!!!