CVNP Wildflowers

We had three sunny days in a row late last week and the wildflowers started blooming like crazy in the CVNP. I spent some time Saturday scouting locations, and went out to shoot before the rain started on Sunday. The trail that follows the north bank of Brandywine Creek (starts at the Inn and heads downstream from the falls) has an abundance of spring wildflowers at the bottom, before you get to the creek crossing. I found Dutchman's Breeches and their close relative, Squirrel Corn, Trout Lily, Blood Root, Spring Beauty, Violets, Cut-leaf Toothwort, Trillium grandiflorum and one Jack-In-the-Pulpit. I was surprised to see the Trillium blooming so early, as was the ranger I spoke to in the parking lot.

I also made a discovery at a new area (for me) in Furnace Run Metro Park called "Daffodil." As the name suggests, it is full of a variety of daffodils that were planted years ago. Some good photo ops if you like daffodils. More interesting was what I found in the floodplain terrace of Furnace Creek (below the main trail). There are several acres of Virginia Bluebells that may be in bloom by this weekend. Also, Marsh Marigolds.

So, if you're a fan of wildflowers, here are a couple of spots to try.

Photo: Dutchman's Breeches
D300, Sigma 180 macro, 1/6 sec @ f/10, polarizer, tripod, mirror-up, remote release

Very nice composition, Chuck. I saw a lot of these in the Hocking Hills slides, and they are not easy to photograph well. You handled the exposure well and the BG works, too. Thanks for the timely info/update on the flowers in your area. I wish I had a few more days to explore there.

Great shot Chuck, they are a wonderful flower but a bugger to shoot especially if it's the least bit windy !!

Nice perspective, Chuck. Just the right amount of sharpness/blur to the receding set of blossoms too.