It’s black-eyed susan season!
Black-eyed susan flowers (Rudbeckia hirta). The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies, Nebraska.
How can I not photograph these flowers? I have more than enough black-eyed susan flowers in my photo files, but they’re just so STRIKING! After returning from our Texas vacation, I spent much of Monday scouting our Platte River Prairies to see what prairie seeds were ripe and where the optimal harvest locations were for each species. For a while, the sun was poking in and out of thin clouds, so I pulled the camera out and looked for something to help me capture the light. I really did try to find something besides black-eyed susan to photograph, but I just couldn’t do it.
I photographed them from the front, side, and back. I photographed the flowers, stems, and leaves. These are just a few of the shots from the 10-15 minutes I spent satisfying my need. I may have a problem…
The Prairie Ecologist 
Hi Chris, do you have a favorite lens for close up photos?
Shane V.
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” Aldous Huxley
Sent from my iPhone.
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Shane – sorry for the delay. I use a Nikon 105mm macro and really like it.
Beautiful girls. We have several similar varieties around us in north Texas. The ones in the ditch across the street are 6′ tall. Hoping they don’t get mowed!
I just noticed and am happy to find your book! We are just outside the curve, in the post oak savannah of Red River county, Texas, but I think it will be helpful. We are trying to get natives back where bahia was planted. We had a nice mixture of sedges, forbs, and flowers this spring, and the bahia has competition this summer. Thank you!
Love these little sunbursts!
Lovely shots of a lovely flower!
But, oh, what a nice problem to have! Keep the photos coming!
I have batches and batches of these girlies in my back yard “native” garden in Boulder. They never cease to make me smile. Thanks for this cheery Friday photo.