“Blue Lupine & Water Droplets”

On By Mike U.In Photography
Blue Lupine & Water Droplets, SE Utah (c) Mike Utley

There’s nothing quite like a country rain. In the region where I live, summer thunderstorms bring the arid landscape to life as everything seems to shimmer and glow, and the scents of wet sage, pine, juniper, earth and fresh air assault one’s olfactory sense like a heady brew. In this image from the late 1990s, this blue lupine had found refuge beneath a pinyon pine and rode out the storm relatively unscathed, unlike many others that were damaged by the intensity of falling rain and were left standing among tatters of petals. Macro-photography is fascinating, especially when exploring the hidden inner worlds of wild flowers, and this lupine made a perfect subject with its brilliant hues and clinging raindrops. I’m left with the impression of each individual blossom craning skyward, open-mouthed, in an attempt to drink in as much rain as possible. In an area that receives around ten inches of precipitation annually, summer rains are vital for the environment to remain balanced (and also pose the threat of wildfires). The beauty of wild flowers is exquisite and all-too-brief, so capturing these examples of nature’s haiku was a priority for me during my days as a nature photographer. (Canon gear, Fuji Velvia ISO 50)

59 thoughts on ““Blue Lupine & Water Droplets””

  2. So pretty, love those chunky raindrops. Great shot, Mike! I agree, macro photography is very fascinating and always feels like you’re uncovering some deep secret within the flower or object that’s being photographed. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Kirsten. Oh yeah, those raindrops are like little universes within themselves, aren’t they? I love water droplets on flowers and leaves–they add so much unique character. Thanks for the kind words as always, and I hope your day is a good one. 🙂

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    1. Kind thanks, Ashely. I appreciate your thoughtful words and I’m happy to know you liked this image. It seems like it was only yesterday that I found and photographed this lupine, and I can still smell that country rain… 🙂

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  5. Such a beauty. I could keep staring at those raindrops. Like tiny, glistening pearls. The flowers do look thirsty but also happy. Something exquisite about the color blue – dignified and royal. Great work, Mike! Something to be mighty proud of. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Terveen. Yep, I remember your fascination with the color blue! These flowers are gorgeous in the summers, and I’ve seen so many color variations in this area, too. Raindrops add an extra layer of beauty and mystique to just about anything. “Tiny, glistening pearls” is certainly an apt description. So happy to know you liked this image. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much, Diana. Those summer thunderstorms were always so intense and made the colors explode in the overcast light. The air was so cool and close and fragrant and still in the aftermath of the storms. It was almost like a secret thing, a hush among flowers and sage and trees. I always had my camera at the ready when storms were forecast. Even if I failed to make an image, it was still worth the effort to walk about in the meadows and trees in the aromatic calmness. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Gary. I love writing and photography, and I love talking about writing and photography, so I tend to ramble when I post my old nature images! 😀 Oh well, as one of my buddies would say, “Hey, so what, man?” 🙂 Each image has a story, and those stories are meaningful to me, so I like to chat about them a bit, see if I can express what was going through my head and my heart when I made the images. As a writer/photographer yourself, I’m pretty sure you know what I mean. As for the lupine, some years they flourish, some years they barely make an appearance, depending on the previous winter’s snowfall. I’d always get excited when we had a wet winter because I knew the upcoming summer would be bursting with wild flowers. 🙂

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  10. Wow what a beautiful picture and capture of your heart in words Mike. ” I’m left with the impression of each individual blossom craning skyward, open-mouthed, in an attempt to drink in as much rain as possible.”

    💜

    Purple is one of my favorite colors and this is fascinating these made it unscathed while others were not in tact. Life continues to surprise as we stop to appreciate each gift. Lovely!💜💜💜

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    1. Thanks so much, Cindy. Indeed, life can surprise us. This drenched but otherwise healthy lupine is testament to that. These wild flowers have to be tough to survive in such an arid environment, yet they’re so fragile at the same time. They’re an explosion of rainbows, brief but intense. Thanks as always for the kind words, my friend! 🙂

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    1. Kind thanks to you, SoundEagle, and here’s wishing you a happy holiday season, too! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to write (too much stress) but things are working themselves out slowly (hopefully) and I’ve found a few words to throw together in the form of haiku collections, as well as posting some nature images as of late. Delphiniums are gorgeous flowers, too! It’s always good to see you here, my friend. I hope you’re doing well and having fun. 🙂

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    2. Wonderful haiku, Sangeetha! Your verse fits this image perfectly. I’m honored to be included in this impromptu collaboration. It’s always a pleasure. Your poetry is brilliant. I’m happy to know my photography is inspirational to you, and I hope my images and your words may merge again. 🙂

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  15. Mike this is such an exquisite kiss on the cheek of nature itself. I love the way you take this flower and focus on everything about it’s presence and the significance that it has, it is a beautiful photograph also. These grow beautifully in Seattle too. I saw many there. Too bad everyone doesn’t see the importance of every living thing in nature. Big hugs and blessings, Joni

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    1. Thanks so much, Joni. Your kind words have made my day. 🙂 I agree–I wish everyone could stop and not only look at nature, but truly see what surrounds us and gives us life. Nature photography helped me see the world in a new way, and every image I made has its own unique story. There are layers upon layers of beauty and wonder and significance in the natural world. I’m grateful for your kindness and I appreciate your warm and thoughtful words on this chilly, snowy morning. Hugs and blessings right back to you, my friend. 🙂

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    1. Thanks a bunch, Peggy. Wild flowers were among my favorite subjects to photograph. I mean, you can never be disappointed with a flower, right? They make the most cooperative subjects (well, unless the wind is blowing). Fun times, for sure! 🙂

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    1. Many thanks as always! I’m so glad you liked this flower photo. Raindrops add so much mystery and beauty to everything, and I was lucky to capture this flower on film. I appreciate your wonderful support and I hope you’re doing well. Best wishes for a happy Wednesday, my friend! 🙂

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  23. Pingback: “Blue Lupine & Water Droplets” – MIN 1 MALUKU TENGGARA

    1. Thanks, Bruce. There’s almost nothing that rivals the beauty of wild flowers after a rainstorm. I only wish I could’ve recorded the scents of wet pine, juniper, sage and moist earth to go along with this image. Very fond memories, for sure. .🙂

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