05.02.2019 Trillium on a Slippery Slope

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Steve Gingold

Red Trillium-Trillium erectum is a sometime challenge as the blooms often face downward requiring lying on the ground in order to see the inner flower.  Photographing this plant, located under a ledge but higher than the path I was on, was interesting as it required lying on an angled muddy surface.  A little slidey but worth the dirty knees.

I think the species name must be someone’s idea of humor as this flower is definitely not erect.  🙂  If you are wondering why we are not looking straight on into the flower, that angle brought in a lot of lighter colored lichens in the background which would have been quite distracting.

About Steve Gingold

I am a Nature Photographer with interests in all things related. Water, flowers, insects and fungi are my main interests but I am happy to photograph wildlife and landscapes and all other of Nature's subjects.
This entry was posted in Closeup Photography, Flora, Nature Photography, Western Massachusetts, wildflower portrait, Wildflowers and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

27 Responses to 05.02.2019 Trillium on a Slippery Slope

  1. ChildOfGrace10142001 says:
    May 2, 2019 at 8:27 am

    I love all varieties of trillium and this one is gorgeous! Thanks for getting the dirty knees necessary to capture this shot!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Michael Scandling says:
    May 2, 2019 at 10:46 am

    Beautiful composition. Isolation. Simplicity. Contrast.

    Like

    Reply
  3. susurrus says:
    May 2, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Well worth the dirty knees! I wonder if the same person named the Trillium simile? A trillium that is like a trillium?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Steve Schwartzman says:
    May 2, 2019 at 3:41 pm

    I think all good nature photographers lie on the ground at least some of the time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. bluebrightly says:
    May 2, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    Wow, this is a knockout, Steve. Maybe the latin name describes the seed or fruit. In any case, with the leaves, it is elegance personified, and your photograph respected the essence of the plant. Rather than lay some idea on top of it – some idea about what it should be – you seem to always submit to what you see, whichIi appreciate.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Steve Gingold says:
      May 3, 2019 at 3:58 am

      Linda does better research than I and I think she nailed it below your comment.

      Thanks for your perception as to how I present my images. While aspiring to be artistic, I do attempt to display the subjects as they are. Some would say that isn’t taking photography to its heights or being as interpretive as a human could be, but I rather enjoy them for themselves, flowers, insects, water, landscapes, and try to let others see them as I do. I highly respect those who are able to bring some human emotion into their composition. Minor White said to photograph things for what else they are, which I think is getting into the artistic way of seeing, but that is not my style. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      • bluebrightly says:
        May 3, 2019 at 10:46 am

        There’s room for many different styles, no doubt. An interpretation that takes a subject much farther from what it is, isn’t wrong (to me), but it depends on how it’s done. Same with an interpretation that tries to show the subject as it is – it’s hard to put into words, but though many people may be doing that, or trying to do that, some bring it to another level. And it’s not just the technical, as you know.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Steve Gingold says:
        May 4, 2019 at 4:01 am

        I am not one for asking “did it really look like that?” but do like to retain a sense of reality. It takes all kinds though and I appreciate most all photography that has been well done.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. shoreacres says:
    May 2, 2019 at 11:05 pm

    I went snooping, and think I figured out the “erect” business. I found that trilliums are either sessile (the flower sits directly on top of its whorled leaves) or pedicellate (the flower is raised on a short stalk). One of my books says that the flowers of Trillium erectus are “on erect or slightly inclined footstalks.” On the other hand, Trillium sessile is named for its flowers’ stalkless perch on the leaves.

    So many new words!

    It’s a beautiful flower. As silly as it sounds, I don’t remember ever being so conscious of all the “three-ness” that gave the genus its name. This photo really lets that shine, and the structure’s as beautiful to me as the rich color.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Steve Gingold says:
      May 3, 2019 at 4:07 am

      That does sound like the reason for the naming, Linda. Thanks for your curiosity and research skills.
      There are occasional exceptions to what is the common appearance of things. I posted one a few years back. I am glad this one struck a chord with you. While the Painted is my favorite, I love the rich red, almost purple, of erectum.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. shoreacres says:
    May 3, 2019 at 6:34 am

    That’s a wonderful example of something I read about last night. One site or another mentioned the occasional appearance of “fours” rather than “threes” — and you found an example. Lucky (and observant) you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. melissabluefineart says:
    May 17, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Straight on can be a bit boring, anyway. This is a very striking portrait. Just look at the subtle mottling on the leaves~love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment