HELP--NEED an ID on a plant

Anyone know what this small purple plant is called? They are all over the place this week.
Thanks
JG
D200 / Nikon 200mm F4 / Pol /Tripod

Sorry, Jack I can't help ya. If your like me you get frustrated when you see something you want to record an image of, but yet you can't ID it once you do. Drives me crazy.

I've got book, upon books and none of these have this plant in them.... weird!

I am sore someone will know!
JG

Hi Jack,
Is it Downy Wood-mint (Belphilia ciliata)?
Deb

Could it be a wild Hyacinth?

In my yard I call them by their true scientific name: "@#&$! purple flower weed." They seem to be everywhere this year.

Can't be sure without a close-up shot, but my guess is grape hyacinth.

Thanks folks...NPN is the best!
JG

I was thinking grape hyacinth as well, but there are one or two other flowers which that could be. Do you have any closer shots, even a bad one?

Looks like something I want to photograph, whatever it is.

Dan.

I beg you pardon... my camera takes great pictures..... and I have ESPENSIVE lenses!!!!!!

Therefore I have great images.....

These little plants are ALL OVER THIS AREA. I think that Deb Little's answer is correct.

I'll confirm tomorrow!
JG

Yeah, Jack, but it is a dinky little digitoy your have the lenses attached to. Now, if you were to consider shooting a real camera like an 8x10 that St. Ansel used, then maybe I might respect it.

Seriously, Deb's suggestion was one of the couple of other flowers I was thinking of, but couldn't recall the name without a field guide in front of me. I actually like that one better, plus I am sure you have shot enough grape hyacinth to recognize that flower.

Talk to you later!

Here's a closeup of what's in my yard. I think they're the same as what Jack has. The stalks are about 6 to 8 inches high. If we were in Texas, they might be mistaken for bluebonnets from a distance.

Hope this helps.

Hmm...I'm not an expert but I don't think its Belphilia ciliata...the flowers and leaves don't match the photos I've found online...

Don

I was with Jack. Here's my close in record shot of the plant. I think Chuck has the same species.

I don't care what the flower is at this point - I just want to see more highly amusing banter on espensive lenses, digitoys, 8x10's, etc. That was worth the price of admission!

CJ

FWIW, and before anyone takes Jack's and my comments out of context, I consider Jack to be a pretty good friend. We have had a number of talks over the years about shooting, equipment, photographers, and especially equipment/technology obsessions. Both of us just laugh when we talk to people caught up in the latest equipment arms race, and then we go back to doing what we do best - shooting for the pleasure of being there (and probably getting better images with 2-3 generation old gear).

I am sure Jack thinks I am mildly nuts for shooting 4x5, and the feeling is mutual for him shooting Nikon

Dan,

I always wanted to be a drummer but didn't want to carry the drums... i bet that one day before its all over I will shoot more than 35. I do really admire you guys. Dan is absolutely right... and we have had,,and will continue to have lots of laughs about this stuff

!JG

Hey Jack,

I just came across your post. You have blue bugleweed, Ajuga genevensis. It is from southern Europe and is often for sale in plant nurseries. It is found in the upper Midwest states as well as the Northeast states. I didn't put it in my Illinois Wildflowers book because it occurs in lawns and disturbed sites, plus there are more common and aggressive "weeds" that I wanted to incude that invade prairies, marshes, woods, glades, etc. so folks will know that they don't belong there.

Best,
Don

Thanks, Don. I'll keep a small patch on my lawn until the flowers are past.

Don ( and everyone).

Thank you for your information. I am going to pass it along to lots of folks who attended my workshop this weekend . We shot these a bit and everyone was asking me what they were. assured them the NPN would come through again... and you did.

Your help, along with everyone else is greatly apprecited.
JG

Hey Dan and Jack, I was on a family trip the last few days so didn't respond sooner, but I could tell that the banter was a continuation of previous discussions and was all friendly - it was also funny! Ironically I shoot 4x5 whenever I can, but I've just purchased a decent digital SLR for some types of shooting that the LF is not ideal. Now I just need espensive (great word) enough lenses that ALL my images will be great!

CJ

Chris,
I actually had a park ranger in Oregon come up to me and ask if my camera took good pictures,,,,,amazing..

Chris,
I actually had a park ranger in Oregon come up to me and ask if my camera took good pictures,,,,,amazing..