Friday, May 14, 2010

Jack-in-the-pulpit at Cedar Bog

Spring wildflowers at Cedar Bog Nature Preserve in Urbana, Ohio
...continued from the Wild Columbine post.
Weather conditions weren’t the best when Teri and I walked into the woods. The boardwalk was slick with moisture and low, grey clouds rolled overhead, sealing out the sunlight and giving the woods the feeling of early evening. Plants were dripping with water from earlier showers and moisture hung in the air, but greenness is what you felt and noticed most. Maybe the lack of color everywhere else let the plants glow ultra-green in the low light, or maybe it was just early spring and green was still “new” in our eyes. Either way, the heaviness of the green was memorable, and I wondered if the place would look different in bright sunlight.

...water dripped from branches and leaves and soaked the wildflowers.
It was beautiful to see and hear the remnants of the earlier storms.

...deep shadows and dark green. Sometimes overcast, rainy days yield subtle surprises.

Jack! You have a wonderful profile...

...newly leafed, I love this bright, bright green.

The macro lens pulls me in so close I now see things I never saw before.

Is all the green getting to you? The plants are just as interesting in black and white, maybe more so...

...without the color, the delicate veining in the spathe is more pronounced.

...I like the quiet and stillness that show up in black and white photos.

Needless to say, I fell in love with Jack-in-the-pulpit. I don't get to see this plant very often. It is so beautiful and unique I hope to see more.

27 comments:

Uncommon Depth said...

These are simply gorgeous images. What a great plant to see in person

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh these are beautiful images. I feel like I could climb into all that green!

Anonymous said...

I seldom if ever get to see these anymore. I don't know if I am in the wrong place at the wrong time or if there are none in the Brookville area.

Michaela said...

I never saw this plant, but those macro shots in this and the previous post are just magnificent! I could just "soak" myself in a green like that, so lovely! I also like that B&W, so nice!

:)

Warren Baker said...

''Jack in the pulpit'' what a good name! Great photo's Kelly.

Roy said...

Great shots, Kelly! There are two of these up near the seasonal stream in Ballard Park; some of us regulars have been anxiously awaiting them. I'll be going down there for pics tomorrow.

Dawning Inspiration said...

Hi there - saw your titles on Steve's blog. Wow - what interesting compositions for the Calla Lilly. Love these!!! Will have to come back!

Mary said...

Your close-ups really show the details....these are amazing!

Cicero Sings said...

I've never seen a jack-in-the-pulpit growing. Isn't macro wonderful? I love how it brings out the little details.

holdingmoments said...

Your descriptive words were a great introduction to this post Kelly, and then the pictures topped it off.
Excellent.

Janice K said...

Beautifully done!

Susan Ellis said...

Stunning photos Kelly...and a lovely photo essay!

Jayne said...

What beautiful detail you captured Kelly!

Out on the prairie said...

Great capture, a star performer on the last woodland plant hike I was on. These make a small cluster of red berries for seeds. Never see them eaten but I am sure that is how they spread, normally see one there are others close by.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Very nice, Kelly.... I love those vivid greens also. You captured some great shots of "jack"...
Hugs,
Betsy

Elaine said...

Beautiful word and photo images! The green really does glow. I'm lovin' your macros.

Chris said...

Hi Kelly,
What a nice set of pictures. I love the black and white a lot but the whole set is perfect!

Unknown said...

excellent work...

Allison said...

The fresh, spring green is so lovely! You are having a great time with that macro, lens, I can see!

jeanlivingsimple said...

I grow this cool native plant. Your photos are much better than mine. I really liked the ones in black and white.

Anonymous said...

Kelly,you have discovered one of the best "secrets" of photography--i.e., overcast days bring out the most vibrant colors. I had heard this, but it was brought home to me last year in a situation much like yours. I was walking along a wooded stream area late in the afternoon of an overcast day, and the greens just popped out and blew me away! I swear that some of the mosses in the creek glowed a neon chartreuse!

Kelly said...

...thank you for all the super nice comments! I'm really getting attached to the macro lens and the beauty of seeing wildflowers up close. Cedar Bog is a beautiful. If you live within driving range, take a peak. It's about 1.5 hours from Cincy, but worth the trip.

Adrienne Zwart said...

I love the macros, Kelly. And the photos of the buntings in the next post are stunning, too!

Kathie Brown said...

I knew this plant from the woods I grew up in and loved it then and love it now! Your photography is exquisite!

Dawn Fine said...

Gorgeous shots!! I love your Macro!

E said...

Beautiful pics, shapes and textures, like a poem to nature. Well done, Kelly. Hugs

AFTERMATH said...

Those are some of the loveliest Jack shots I've ever seen. Beautiful work.