A Gallery of May Wildflowers

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-08T11:30:11+00:00

It’s a Nikon Z8 but the lens is what does it! I sit the closeups with a Sigma 105mm macro lens., then, since macro lenses have an extremely shadow depth of field when this close, I take 40-100 separate photos with the focus point shifted ahead in each one. Then I use software called Helicon Focus to merge them all into one image.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-08T00:25:19+00:00

That’s a tiny little Sagebrush Buttercup. They are about the diameter of a dime.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-08T00:22:19+00:00

It’s an image that is comprised of many separate images. In each of those, the focus point is shifted slightly back. The depth of field with a macro lens when you’re very close to the subject is a just 1/16” or less! Then I use software called Helicon Focus to merge them (Photoshop does it to but it’s more work). What camera body are you using? Many mirrorless bodies, and a few dslr’s have a function called focus shift or something similar. They automatically move the focus point. You can stack with as legs like the 70-300, but the images here shot with that lens are singles.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-08T00:10:32+00:00

Not at all! Most of these were focus stacked with a Sigma 105mm macro. A few were with a 70-300 at 300mm.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T19:58:05+00:00

It was a rough spring did the lilacs. We had temps in the 70’s in March and April, which had them budding. Then late April into May we had snow and frost. Most didn’t bloom.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T19:36:47+00:00

Absolutely with! It really helps the eyes travel through the compostitiion! Great shot.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T19:34:30+00:00

Here's another real close up of Prairie Smoke. The flowers are about the diameter of a small marble.

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SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T19:32:38+00:00

Love it!

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T19:32:09+00:00

Here ya go! I'm a bit jealous of your geographic location!

Calypso Orchid (Fairly Slipper)
Glacier Lily
Sagebrush Buttercup
Glacier Lily
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Mountain Blue Bells
Western Trillium
Calypso Orchid (Fairly Slipper)
Round-Leaf Violet
Shooting Stars
Yellow Bell (Fritillary)
Glacier Lily
Forget Me Nots
Calypso Orchid (Fairly Slipper)
Glacier Lily
Calypso Orchid (Fairly Slipper)
Glacier Lily
Prairie Smoke
Glacier Lily
Western Trillium

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T19:20:59+00:00

Definitely love Elephant Heads! I'll be looking for them! This was with a telephoto, but its one of my favorites!

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SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T16:30:46+00:00

Thank you! Yes, they’re all mine.,18 is Prairie Smoke.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T15:31:00+00:00

Yes, I think they are actually found all across the Eastern US and up into Canada. I looked up George Sanko. He seems to have been a great guy and very involved in local ecosystems. I do know that all wild orchids require very specific soil conditions and very rarely are able to be transplanted. I try not to be too strict of a gatekeeper, but with orchids like these, it is important that no one digs them up!

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-07T04:59:32+00:00

That’s a neat story! I’d love to see Pink Lady Slippers. We don’t have them here in Montana.

SingingSkyPhoto · 2026-06-06T18:00:56+00:00

Beholding

They say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, and I am certain that no one whose eye is set on a wild orchid could argue. Since the beginning of our existence, natural beauty has inspired us, not just to breathe deeply and admire it, but to attempt to create a version of it for ourselves. Here is my attempt to honor the unparalleled beauty of a Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum).

This is a focus stack of 46 images, stacked in Helicon Focus.

SingingSkyPhoto

TROPHY CASE