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Re: Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County Started by Bill Purcell at 08-29-2007 8:15 PM. Topic has 5 replies. WildflowerHaven... » Texas Wildflowe... » East Texas » Re: Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County Hunting Texas Wildflowers - New Book!

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08-29-2007, 8:15 PM Bill Purcell Joined on 06-29-2005 Posts 45 Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County I spent the afternoon and early evening on Sunday in Grimes County, checking out this year's crop of snow-on-the-prairie (Euphorbia bicolor) - typically the "last hurrah" for large wildflower displays during the calendar year in southeast TX. I scouted out several excellent fields with moderate-heavy coverage roughly along a Whitehall-Stoneham-Plantersville line early in the afternoon, and planned to return near sunset to see if I could get some artistic shots.   I added a couple of the better results to the end of my gallery:  http://imageevent.com/mpurcell/txwf2007 About mid-afternoon, I cruised up between Anderson and Carlos to check out a nice thunderstorm, and caught a spectacular horizon-to-horizon double-rainbow that was "shallow" and relatively flat, as the sun angle was still high.  I posted an image to my "Storms, 2007" gallery. I can't believe it's only 6-8 weeks until seed-sowing time for next year's wildflowers.  Time is indeed flying by ...    Report

08-30-2007, 3:51 PM FlowerPower Joined on 03-08-2005 The Woodlands, Texas Posts 136 Re: Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County Bill, I shot a little of this snow about a week ago over on FM1155 and Dillard Rd and posted them in the East Texas gallery. It's a little sad to see the wildflowers fade but I'm always ready for autumn! Thanks for sharing your photos Bill. You have a nice touch with the camera!! I really like your image with the full moon and the one with the double rainbow. Beautiful work. It looks like I'll get to go home the last week of Septmeber to visit friends and family and maybe shoot some aspen and mountain photos along the way :0) Murry Flowers will brighten your day whether mild or wild, Murry!    Report

08-30-2007, 6:40 PM Bill Purcell Joined on 06-29-2005 Posts 45 Re: Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County Murry, That's a nice shot you took - almost a watercolor effect on the flowers.  I like it! I must confess, my full-moon image is also Photoshopped, a first-time experiment for me with a "digital double-exposure."  I took the image of the field, then used a zoom lens to capture the full moon by itself.  Then, I combined them into the original image, and tried to give the moon the dramatic over-sized look that one often perceives when it's near the horizon.  It was quite difficult to get the moon to look natural (coloration, etc.) - I'm not completely satisfied with it, but it's a start.  Glad you like it ... the idea was actually inspired by a Wyman Meinzer photo where he achieved a similar effect, but with film - his result was absolutely stunning. The double-rainbow of course is unaltered - just God's work enhanced a bit with a polarizing filter.   :) - Bill.    Report

08-30-2007, 6:51 PM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 637 Re: Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County Bill, Thanks for the post and update. Very nicely done on the moon shot... You and Murry make it painful for me...I miss the freedom of just packing up my gear and going to do a shoot. Usually, this time of year I am out photographing bats at the Old Tunnel or snow-on-mountain/prairie. Also there should be some Maximilian sunflowers blooming soon along with fall asters (another favorite wildflower of mine). Thanks again for posting...   RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

09-03-2007, 6:17 PM gregner Joined on 03-28-2006 Posts 41 Re: Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County Bill, some excellent images of snow-on-the-prairie. I usually don't do much photography this time of year because of work (and fishing).  I had no idea that those wildflowers bloomed in such profusion, maybe an excursion next weekend is in order. I am not sure if you have heard of HDR (high dynamic range) photography, I have been experimenting with it this year with some excellent results.  (ie. http://www.texaswildflowerpictures.com/wildflowers7/index.htm ) In a nutshell, you take several images at various exposures (under and over) and use a computer program to combine them to achieve a wider perceived dynamic range.  It enables you to create an image that is much closer to what your eye perceives as opposed to the limited capability of a digital sensor. Photoshop is capable of HDR, but I have found Photomatix Pro to be more useful. I think you could achieve some incredible results with your sunset/dusk images that have such a wide dynamic range.    Report

09-04-2007, 8:31 PM RichO Joined on 02-15-2005 San Antonio, TX Posts 637 Re: Snow-on-the-prairie, Grimes County Gary, Awesome work on the sunset bluebonnet shots. Thanks for sharing this with us. As to the snow-on-the-mountain/prairie...I have seen good coverage along sections of Old #9 from the intersection with FM-473 to US-290 in Kendall County. Also larger fields along FM-474.  RichO Hunting Texas Wildflowers    Report

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