Posted by Mike Hall on September 10, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Hope your area looks a good as mine! Arkansas had one of the best summers on record with lower temps and a decent amount of rain. I don't remember a better September for flowers. Everywhere I went today it looked like spring. It's looking like we will have a great fall colors season if the temps keep coming down. Everything seems healthy and ready to give us some fall beauty!
Today's roadtrip was outside of Conway at Camp Robinson SAU. More pics from today can be found at http://www.pbase.com/mikehall/spring_has_sprung_in_fall
Mike I noticed a bunch of these yellow flowers today. My brother commented that it seemed weird that they had started blooming again. Nice bunch of shots on the link.
Posted by Mike Hall on September 10, 2009 at 7:08 PM
It's time to get out on the back roads and check out the scenery. I believe the yellow flowers are Long-Bracted Tickseed Sunflower. I'm sure Don will pipe in if I'm wrong. Don, I hope your having the same results up north with all the blooms.
Posted by Gale Rainwater on September 11, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Hey Mike what a beautiful display of flowers. I like the way the road is leading your eye in the shot and the yellow of the flowers really pops. Nice catch for this time of year. I agree I am hoping for some great fall color to shoot this fall. Maybe even some water in the creeks if it continues to rain.
Posted by Ed Cooley on September 11, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Wonderful display for sure. I am ready for some ozarks color myself.
Posted by Bill Dark on September 11, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Beautiful mix of flowers, Mike. I've been wanting to photograph some of these flowers the last couple of weeks, but have been leaving my camera gear at home so it wouldn't get stolen while I worked on trails. Glad someone is getting some shooting time in - this has been one of the best years for rain and temps that I can remember.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on September 11, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Nice work Mike, scenes like this make me want to take a stroll and just take in all the sights & smells. This comp works well and I also like a pano format with some off the bottom. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the weekend!
Posted by Tom Kennon on September 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Nice batch of flowers, Mike, makes me want to get outdoors!
Posted by Don Kurz on September 11, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Yes, tickseed sunflowers make for nice yellow carpets in September. Mike, since there are 9 species of Bidens in Arkansas, I'll reserve giving this one a specific name without seeing the bracts and leaves.
You asked how goes it up my way: The northern edge of the Ozarks has done well this year even though the annual precipitation in my area is 5 inches below normal. The rain has just come at the right time to keep wilt in check. I was amused yesterday when a rain cloud measuring 2 miles by 4 miles sat over my house and dropped 3/4 inch of rain while Jefferson City, 4 miles away just got a trace!
I have a white turtlehead, Chelone glabra, blooming right now at my place, which is the second time in 20 years!
Hey Mike I found a bunch at work today. It seems like these flowers are everywhere. http://matthewkennedyphotography.blogspot.com/ Don I have one close shot that may help you ID better.
Posted by Mike Hall on September 11, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Looks good Matt!! If you look real close you will find all kinds insects. If the wind would cooperate I could get some real keepers. I tried again today and was chasing the bugs, trying to keep them in focus. It was a real challenge. I have not ID'd this beetle yet. Any takers?
Posted by Don Kurz on September 12, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Matthew, I would go with tickseed sunflower, Bidens aristosa. This is the most common of the nine species of tickseed sunflowers in Arkansas. Very showy and long flowering.
Mike, that's probably what you have also.
Best,
Don
Posted by Don Kurz on September 12, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Mike, I am not a beetle expert but I think you have the American Oil Beetle or a close relative. Strange name but maybe it is named for its shiny oil-like color? This species is in the blister beetle group. I have seen ravenous herds of the common blister beetle march through a patch of buttercups and eat them bare within less than an hour. I have also seen them strip clematis and devil's walking stick in a very short time. Seeing 50 to 100 or more of these miniature lawnmowers moving through succulent plants can be horrific.
This species though is more solitary and slow moving.
I particularly like the pose you captured. He seems to be saying "Watcha looking at, Bud!"
And yes, their bites do cause blisters!
Best,
Don
Posted by Mike Hall on September 12, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I love the info and background stories and yes, he did look like he was looking at me. Several of them did this, but the wind was kicking my butt. I was lucky to get the three or four in-focus shots that I got. I hope to get back out there next week with no wind. Thanks!
Discussion
16 repliesToday's roadtrip was outside of Conway at Camp Robinson SAU. More pics from today can be found at http://www.pbase.com/mikehall/spring_has_sprung_in_fall
You asked how goes it up my way: The northern edge of the Ozarks has done well this year even though the annual precipitation in my area is 5 inches below normal. The rain has just come at the right time to keep wilt in check. I was amused yesterday when a rain cloud measuring 2 miles by 4 miles sat over my house and dropped 3/4 inch of rain while Jefferson City, 4 miles away just got a trace!
I have a white turtlehead, Chelone glabra, blooming right now at my place, which is the second time in 20 years!
Best,
Don
This is on Goldenrod which is in full bloom.
Mike, that's probably what you have also.
Best,
Don
This species though is more solitary and slow moving.
I particularly like the pose you captured. He seems to be saying "Watcha looking at, Bud!"
And yes, their bites do cause blisters!
Best,
Don