A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER SUNRISE WITH A CUP PLANT

The night before I had checked the weather and the forecast was to be mostly overcast with partial sun breaks during the early morning hours at sunrise. So, off I went leaving the house by 4:30 a.m.. I had photographed many sunrises this year and wanted to focus my attention on the wildflowers of Wildflower Park. I knew exactly where in the park to head to photograph the wildflowers, which is the opposite area of Wildflower Lake. I started my hike with camera gear and tripod in hand and it wasn't long before I began seeing some of the wildflowers I would be photographing this morning, cup plant, wild bergamot, blue vervain and eastern daisy fleabane just to name a few. The sun began to peek through the clouds with some color showing behind the box elder trees that line Eakin Creek West while noticing this beautiful looking cup plant (silphium perfoliatum) along the trail. I set up my tripod and camera, focused and began shooting. The wildflowers this year were spectacular with lush greens and vibrant colors of yellow, orange, purple and other colors. It had been a great morning to be out photographing the beauty of the area. (516-93)