It’s Been Busy, But a Good Kind of BusyPosted by drfl on May 24th, 2011

So, I’ll admit, I haven’t really kept up on my blog posting. Besides being busy with the family, I have had the opportunity to capture some more photographs, which I plan on presenting over the course of the next couple of weeks. Additionally, I’m thrilled that an article that I’ve been hard at work on for the past few months has been run in the current issue of Nebraska Life magazine. The topic? Hiking at Schramm State Recreation Area and discovering nature with my eldest daughter Riley. If you get an opportunity, be sure to check it out.

Technical Details (Flower Photo):
Dutchman’s Breeches, Schramm State Recreation Area, Nebraska
Canon 50D, 50 CM, f/2.5, 1/1250 sec.

Photo Friday: Indigo ElegancePosted by drfl on April 22nd, 2011

Another photograph from Schramm State Recreation Area in eastern Nebraska. This is a blue phlox that blossoms in early spring throughout the forest. While generally not a long-lasting bloom, the blue really pops against the green.

Technical Details:
Canon 50D, 50 CM + 12mm extension tube, f/4.5, 1/400 sec.
Schramm State Recreation Area, Nebraska

Time to Welcome Spring!Posted by drfl on April 14th, 2011

While I enjoy photographing all the seasons (and many, many people cannot understand why I love photographing winter in Nebraska), Spring is a special time of year.  A time of renewal, when the brown and gray earthy tones give way verdant greens appear and colorful flowers.  While the official start of spring was a couple of weeks ago, we are just beginning to have buds on the trees and flowers popping.  This image was taken last week at Schramm State Recreation Area, it is the stem and leaves wild lily that grows on the forest floor that has not yet bloomed.  It should be blossoming in the next week or so. 

Welcome Spring!

View More Spring Photos on Journey Of Light

Technical Details:
Canon 50D, 50mm f/2.5 CM, f/3.5, .4 seconds
Schramm State Recreation Area, Nebraska

A Touch of Summer – Golden MorningPosted by drfl on January 6th, 2011

Yesterday I saw the new license plate for Nebraska. It contains both the state bird – the Meadowlark and the state flower – the Goldenrod. I wasn’t impressed with the plate, both from a design standpoint, but also from a subject standpoint. There isn’t anything wrong with the meadowlark, as a matter of fact, Nebraska shares this state bird with Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming. The Goldenrod, however, is the state flower of two states, Kentucky being the only other one (It is also the state WILDflower of South Carolina). From a visual perspective, a solitary Goldenrod is unimpressive, which is how it is displayed on the plate. When one ventures into a field of Goldenrods, however, that’s a different experience altogether.

The color yellow commands attention. That is why so many signs and plaques are created in this color. Even a hint of yellow can grab someone’s gaze. On the plate the flower is dull (Click here to see it!). In nature, the flower is vibrant and warm.

So, I wandered into a field of Goldenrods this summer and captured a few photographs. For some reason I never processed them until now. Since we haven’t had any snow this winter (I think we sent it all east) I haven’t had much wintry imagery to make so I’m presenting a warm capture!

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40 f/4l @ 29mm, f/11, 1/250 sec., 3-stop Hard Grad
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska

(Sun)Flower Week: Day 5: Sunstar SunflowerPosted by drfl on September 24th, 2010

Technical Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 50 CM, f/22, 1/250 sec.
Plains Sunflower, OPPD Arboretum, Omaha, Nebraska

(Sun)Flower Week: Day 4: Sunlight SatellitePosted by drfl on September 23rd, 2010

Technical Details:
Canon 5D, 50 CM, f/9, 1/2000 sec.
Plains Sunflower, OPPD Arboretum, Omaha, Nebraska