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Chocolate and flowers, reinvented

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner; its a perfect day to reconnect and to remind each other what you mean to one another.

One of the most popular gifts on Valentine’s Day is chocolate and flowers.  These are both a tried and true tradition on February 14, however, despite the giver’s best intentions, neither gift will last for very long.  This year, I suggest you put a new twist on the traditional chocolate and flowers, and give my Chocolate Lily print to your loved one.

Chocolate Lilies

Chocolate Lilies, April 2009

Chocolate lilies are a widespread but relatively uncommon plant in several places along the Pacific coast.  I photographed these flowers last spring at one of their strongholds, the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, in the southern Santa Ana Mountains, near Murrieta California.

From now through February 14, I’m offering this print at a 30% discount.  All other floral photography is 20% off.

And, if you’re wondering, my wife already has this print hanging in our house.

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Moonrise over the oaks

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

On Sunday, we went for a quick hike at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve near Temecula CA.  Driving off the reserve at sunset, I came across this scene, pulled the car over, got my camera out and snapped a few quick shots before the sun dipped behind the hills, leaving the oaks in the shade.  I chose a vertical panorama presentation, because I wanted to draw attention to the moon rising.

Moonrise over the oaks, Temecula, CA, November 2009

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Santa Rosa Plateau, part 3

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

A vernal pool is a seasonal pool that fills up during the winter rains, and dries out slowly over spring and summer, not refilling until the following winter.  In California, Riverside County has 14 vernal pools; 13 are protected within the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.  When I think of this place, I think of its crown jewel–the vernal pools.

The third, and final, image I have in the Plateau’s annual art show this year is of the vernal pools:

Vernal Pools, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, 2009

Fairy shrimp, frogs, toads, snakes, and migrating waterfowl are just a small group of animals that call the pools home, but also rely on them to breed.

The show begins tonight, and runs through September 20.

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Santa Rosa Plateau, part 2

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Yesterday I blogged about the Santa Rosa Plateau, and shared some poppies.  Today’s photo is of another flower, only a much rarer one: the chocolate lily:

Chocolate lilies, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, 2009

This is an uncommon lily, and the Santa Rosa Plateau is just about the southern tip of its range.  Each spring, people start hiking the plateau in hopes of finding blooming lilies.  Because of its dark appearance, it has earned the nickname “Cleopatra of the Fritillaries”.

I really like this shot, not only because of the composition and lighting (I love the soft backlighting and highlighting on the edges of the blooms), but also because we found these lilies after a hot day of hiking, and it felt good to sit in the shade of an oak tree, enjoying the day. 

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Santa Rosa Plateau, part 1

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

This week is shaping up to be very busy for Alpenglow Images.  In the past I’ve entered photos in online contests, but have never shown a photo in real life, save for the ones we have hanging in our house, or ones I’ve given as gifts.  This week, I’m in two shows, which is very exciting.

Tonight, I’m participating in my first Riverside Arts Walk in downtown Riverside, and will be showing 13 photos.  Tomorrow, I’ll try to post an update with photos.  If you’re in Riverside tonight, I’d love to have you come by; my photos will be in the Life Arts Center, studio 39 (map).

The other show I’m participating in is at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, near Temecula, California.  The show is one of their annual fundraisers, and this year’s theme is “A Quarter Century of Conservation and Inspiration,” to celebrate their 25th anniversary.  The Plateau is one of our favorite places to hike, because it provides a quick escape on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and it is very unique ecologically.  Fifty-nine “sensitive” species call the Plateau home, and it house one of the best preserved bunchgrass prairie ecosystems in California.  

I have three photos in this year’s show.  The first one I want to share with you are California’s state flower: the California poppy.

California poppies, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, 2009

The show runs from this Saturday, August 8 through September 20.  

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