This Foam Flower is only one of the many, many species found throughout the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  It was a bear to shoot, because these sway with the slightest wisp of wind.  I love it’s form and the lovely greenery that surrounded it.  I’m not a very good macro shooter.  It typically frustrates me …. depth of field is razor thin shooting this close, backgrounds can be distracting, and the wind is never helpful.  But when you get a macro “right”, it is truly a treat.  Carl is a pro at it, and even manages to incorporate really cool insects.

Incidentally, while shooting this flower I heard something moving within a foot or so to my right.  I was totally focused on the flower, looking through the viewfinder.  As I pulled away from the camera and glanced camera-right, there was a 5 foot snake slivering past!!  He had no interest in me, thank goodness.  I think it was a non-poisonous king snake or water snake headed for the nearby stream.  In any event, I had no desire study him closer.  But, I  noticed he had a large bulge from having recently eaten a rodent or an egg.

I love this image not only for the quality of the image, but because the Foam Flower represents the incredible balance of nature in the Smokies.  This flower carries with it a certain soft, delicate “feel”, yet it was strong enough to survive the challenging winter and the ruggedness of the mountain forest including winds, storms, wildlife, and park visitors.

Foam Flower at Porters Creek

5D MkII, Canon 100mm Macro f/2.8, 1/80 sec. @ f/4

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