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WILDFLOWERS aka WEEDS...

The aristocrats of wildflowers have names like "lady slippers", "trillium", "dwarf crested iris", "dutchman's breeches", etc. They live in protected forests or are coveted and collected by the best gardeners who care for and nurture them. These plants reward with beautiful, delicate blossoms and interesting foliage.

However, there are "cousins" to these aristocrats, but they are an unappreciated class of plants. They are anything but rare, very abundant and basically grow unnoticed as they try to survive a hardscrabble existence in the rocks, gravel and other debris that line country roads and busy highways. The only attention they get is an occasional tractor pulling a bush-hog mower.

I've noticed, however, that many of these ugly step-sisters are beautiful in their own right--if you look close enough.

On a recent walk, I made a special effort to "look" at these plants and capture their beauty. My goal was to photograph them using lighting, perspective, texture, cropping, etc. to accentuate their shapes, colors, and beautiful blossoms.

I think these lovelies are also dressed for the ball.

Red Clover

Spreading Hedge Parsley

Nodding Thistle

Moth Mullein

Wild Garlic

Trumpet Vine

Johnson Grass

Wild Garlic

Carolina Horse Nettle

Red Clover