Lonely Iris

[MonikaC]

On today's hike, I found but a single Rocky Mountain iris in bloom. What are usually marshes around this time of year had green grass, but below that, the ground was dry and kind of crispy. There were a few patches of delphiniums, but they were very short and fairly stressed. This was the first time this year I used the shower curtain diffuser and certainly got a reminder about how even the slightest breeze can make using it difficult. On the up side, I didn't get charged by a moose; outside of Nederland, about 1/2 hour south, a mother moose attacked a couple and their dog at a popular mountain biking trailhead to protect her day-old baby. Because she repeatedly charged people, she was shot and killed. They just found the baby today, but it's survival is doubtful as it's so young.

 

[JimFox]

A beautiful shot Monika. How how you using a shower curtain as a diffuser? For the background?

That’s too bad about the moose. I don’t think it’s going to ever get better in that regard sadly.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Very beautiful image Monica. Sad story.

 

[MonikaC]

A beautiful shot Monika. How how you using a shower curtain as a diffuser? For the background?

That’s too bad about the moose. I don’t think it’s going to ever get better in that regard sadly.

Thanks, Jim. Doug Sherman said to use a white shower curtain on a tent pole to keep the light even (mostly to keep the highlights from blowing out). Sometimes it's more like I'm waving a big white flag of surrender

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Lovely image Monika.

Btw a translucent umbrella (normally used with a light source) is easier to carry and use as a diffuser.

 

[AlanLichty]

Neat shot of the iris - I used to carry a reflector disc that could twist to fold up to add light for shots like this. It was stiff enough to be able to control in light winds.

Sad story about the moose mama and the calf.

 

[MonikaC]

Lovely image Monika.

Btw a translucent umbrella (normally used with a light source) is easier to carry and use as a diffuser.

Thanks, Jameel. The tent poles collapse very short and a shower curtain is $5. It's very light. I used to carry an umbrella. And I used to use a ziplock baggie as a diffuser for small subjects.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

On today's hike, I found but a single Rocky Mountain iris in bloom. What are usually marshes around this time of year had green grass, but below that, the ground was dry and kind of crispy. There were a few patches of delphiniums, but they were very short and fairly stressed. This was the first time this year I used the shower curtain diffuser and certainly got a reminder about how even the slightest breeze can make using it difficult. On the up side, I didn't get charged by a moose; outside of Nederland, about 1/2 hour south, a mother moose attacked a couple and their dog at a popular mountain biking trailhead to protect her day-old baby. Because she repeatedly charged people, she was shot and killed. They just found the baby today, but it's survival is doubtful as it's so young.

View attachment 49869

Beautiful image, Monika. Yes, the shower curtain can get unwieldy when the wind is 30+ mph but it helps more than it hurts in most photographic situations. When the winds are high I don't even attempt to photograph wildflowers.

I don't see the need to kill the mother. Why didn't they just shut down the trailhead?

 

[Joe Colozzo]

beautiful image but sad story.

 

[MonikaC]

Beautiful image, Monika. Yes, the shower curtain can get unwieldy when the wind is 30+ mph but it helps more than it hurts in most photographic situations. When the winds are high I don't even attempt to photograph wildflowers.

I don't see the need to kill the mother. Why didn't they just shut down the trailhead?

Yes, it seems like they could have tranquilized the mother to give them time to evacuate the trail users & then close the trailhead. Except for those already out on the trail, of course.