Glade Coneflower

I found a bunch of these along Hwy 215 near Byrd's Campground. I think I have the name correct? There are two varieties in Don's book?
Thanks for looking.

Canon 5D
Iso 100
f/16
1/10 sec
180 Sigma Macro

Nice detail and color, Tom. I've been wanting to go up to Missouri for some prairie views lately...these guys should be peaking, I think. Don, got an update?

I've always loved these flowers, and have been meaning to get out and photograph a few of them. Just need some time to do it. Nice job! Really great light.

Nicely done Tom, good detail and color, you had some great light for this comp. I have seen a few coneflower's out, but not anywhere I can good photos. Good work and thanks for sharing!

Hi Guys,

Tom, you have a nice image of purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea. Bill, I am afraid that the glade coneflowers (glades) and pale purple coneflowers (prairies) are a couple weeks past their peak. Although the petals may remain they are probably pretty battered by now. There is always next year and shoot for early June!

Best,
Don

Thanks for all for the nice comments and the positive I.D., Don. Over the past few years they have really been abundant along this stretch of Highway that runs along the Mulberry River. I have always wanted to stop but the wind was blowing or the light was not right. Yesterday, I found a good batch in the shade with no wind!

By the way, for those interested in photographing on prairies, there is a free publication called "Public Prairies of Missouri" that has maps and descriptions. Of the 70,000 acres of prairie left in the state, over 25,000 acres is protected. You can get a copy by calling the central office of the Missouri Dept. of Conservation at 573-751-4115.

Tall blazing star, also called gayfeather, Liatris pycnostachya is the next showy prairie forb icon that should be flowering and its peak will be about the second week of July.

Best,
Don

Tom nice shot. You are very good at the flower close ups.

Thanks for the scoop on the prairie brochure, Don, and the update on what's coming next. Last year I found a nice community of royal catchfly in an old fence row that I need to check on...seems like it was a little past peak as the blazing star was peaking. Is the blazing star peak usually preceded by catchfly?

Don - I've used that publication quite a bit and have found it pretty useful.

There's also an online version at:

http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/nathis/natcom/prairies/maps.pdf

Beautiful subject captured in wonderful light Tom. I like the comp a lot and the detail is very nice. I might be tempted to crop the top about halfway to the upper petals but no biggie!

Great capture!

Tom, sorry to be diverting your post to another subject.

Tim, good to know about the online version of Public Prairies of Missouri. I am the editor of the latest printed edition and I didn't know that they had put it online. Duh!

Bill, I have found that both royal catchfly and blazing star can be in flower about the same time. It just depends on where they are located and what kind of year it has been for them, i.e. rain vs drought.

I will be down in SW MO about the second week of July and I can let you know. I will be visiting prairies that have both species. You may want to email me your contact information and I can give you a call. dkurz@socket.net

Don