Graf
Photography

exploring nature’s infinite connections

Notes from the Woods

seeing · environment · exploration · photography

Spring Sprung

FL9868

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Botanical Art

12 Comments(s)

Monday, April 21, 2014

two bloodroot photo

Twin Bloodroot, Clinton River Park North, Sterling Heights, MI | Nikon D800, 200mm macro, Silver Efex Pro 2

Well, whaddayaknow, Spring will be coming to Michigan after all.  After hitting the record snowfall mark in Detroit just last week, there were doubts.   Spring energy is certainly in the air now, and wildflowers are reaching up with some pent-up energy.   Snow be damned.    Of course now I have to wish it would put on the brakes a bit, as it is 80F outside right now.

I started out this year just like any other when approaching wildflowers, wanting to do something different than I have done before.   It is getting harder to REMEMBER what I have done before.   After such a long, hard winter, it is tough to resist the temptation of color.  For these initial photographs, the need to portray these early spring wildflowers different than I have shown them before was a stronger force.  

Another part is just getting out in the woods to see whats what.   Mostly I find myself just wandering until something catches my eye.   It doesn’t result in a lot of photographs made, but it does help just taking the environment in.   Since I have photographed many of these wildflowers before, I now find myself being quite picky about what situation I want to stop for.

This week I hope to visit some new spots I explored for the first time last fall, to see what they have to offer for Spring.

Bloodroot abstract photo

Bloodroot multiple exposure | Nikon D800, 200mm macro, Silver Efex Pro 2

 

graf nature photo divider

this post is tagged with these subjects, you are invited to explore and wander …

black & white photography | Michigan | monochrome | nature photography | spring wildflowers
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)

by | Mar 13, 2024 | , | 16 Comments

Botany is not one of my strong suits. Perhaps the strongest memory I have of recognizing that is from a hike some years back during a training class on vernal pools. While hiking to one specific pool, one of the class instructors, Ms. Phyllis Higman, a Senior...

read more
Spring Ephemerals

Spring Ephemerals

by | Apr 27, 2018 | | 5 Comments

Spring seems like such a fleeting season here in Michigan.   We strongly yearn for milder temps after what seems like an eternity of Winter but are not quite ready for the humidity and heat of Summer.    We want to bask for a bit in the fresh energy around us.  Though...

read more
A place to call home

A place to call home

by | Jun 1, 2013 | | 17 Comments

This patch of lupine that I photographed recently had me thinking about isolated spots for photographing specific things.   There may be a huge forest, woodland, field, prairie, or riverside that goes on for miles, but for very small sections of these places,...

read more

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Thank you for spending a little bit of your day here. I truly appreciate it! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives

Topics

Popular Posts

Signing Photographs
Yearly Favorites

Other Sites Worth Exploring

Alex Kunz
Dear Bubbles
Diane Varner
Howard Grill
Joseph W. Smith
Franz Graf
Linda Grashoff
Bob Henry
Lynn Wohlers
Meandering Passage
Michael Russell
Michigan Nature
Monte Stevens
Planet Detroit
Six Rivers Land Conservancy
Sterling Oak
T.M.Schultze
Tom Dills

I truly appreciate your comments and feedback!.   If you are commenting for the first time – welcome!  Your comment will be held in moderation until I approve it.  This is a courtesy effort to prevent any spam from going out to post subscribers.  No worries, once approved, it’s a one-time-only process.  You are then part of the cool folks who leave thoughtful comments on blogs.  🙂

12 Comments

  1. Tre Cavil
    Tre Cavil on Friday, August 15, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    These are stunning!

  2. David Leland Hyde (@PhilipHydePhoto)
    David Leland Hyde (@PhilipHydePhoto) on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 9:06 PM

    Ditto what Cedric said. The first one is superb. I love how the flowers stand out against the dark background. Wonderful use of contrast.

  3. Bernie Kasper
    Bernie Kasper on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 8:16 PM

    Beautiful work Mark love the b&w conversion in these !!

  4. Monte Stevens
    Monte Stevens on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 8:02 AM

    I do this most of the year, “Mostly I find myself just wandering until something catches my eye.” I noticed flowers popping up in Arches a couple of weeks ago. It does bring a smile to the face when we see that. Love the bloodroot image.

    • Mark
      Mark on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 6:54 AM

      Thanks Monte.

  5. Paul
    Paul on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 6:31 PM

    Great choice, Mark, to do these in B&W. I’m glad to hear that spring has finally sprung in Michigan!

    • Mark
      Mark on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 6:53 AM

      Yeah, who would have thought! 🙂 Thanks Paul.

  6. Earl
    Earl on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11:24 AM

    Mark, you sure you didn’t drive out of state to find these flowers? 🙂 Well done!

    • Mark
      Mark on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 3:36 PM

      I’ll never tell Earl. 🙂

  7. Mark
    Mark on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 10:03 AM

    Steve, Cedric – thanks.

  8. Cedric Canard
    Cedric Canard on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    I’m not a big fan of flower photography but… wow! I like these.

  9. Steve Gingold
    Steve Gingold on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 4:14 AM

    I really like the twin bloodroot image, Mark. Nice effect and conversion.