HOT IDEAS FOR SIZZLIN' SUMMER WILD LIFE PHOTOS

Summer is a great season for viewing wildflowers. In fact, you can find brilliant colors dotting the landscapes from early spring through fall in many parts of the country.

Wildflower photography is one of the best ways to enjoy the season's abundance.

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Photographers are treated with subjects ranging from landscapes, punctuated with nature's ornamentation, to awe-inspiring macro details. Considerations--like lens choice and film selection--are important, but so are timing and location.

As with many fragile floras, photo opportunities are fleeting due to their vulnerability and naturally short lifecycle. Picking or careless trampling by people, and foraging by insects or wildlife are major factors that cause their early disappearance. Still, some are simply too difficult to find if you don't know where and when to look. In many situations, by the time you've heard about a particular area blooming with vivid hues, it's too late to pack your camera bag.

For excellent destinations, consider the national or state parks. A few of our favorites are the Great Smoky Mountains NP in Tennessee and North Carolina, Rocky Mountain NP in Colorado, and Glacier NP in Montana. Parks are protected by regulations, and picking wildflowers and plants is strictly prohibited. Not only do wildflowers often flourish in areas where public distrubance is minimized, other picturesque opportunities will likely be a bonus.

Pink Lady SlipperNext, you need to know when is the right time to go. The best way to help ensure that you'll see wildflowers blooming is to pre-plan your photo itinerary. Start your research by checking for information at an area library, local bookstore, or on the Internet.

Look for books on wildflower identification. Such books normally include when plants bloom, how to identify them by their leaves before they bloom, where specific flowers are likely to grow (geographically), and in what type of area to look (sunny/shady, wet/dry, sand/soil). Many also include color photos. We like using The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers (note: there is an Eastern and Western version).

If you've already planned your trip, be sure to visit any area gift shops while there. You may find wildflower guidebooks that contain information for that specific area or region. Also, don't overlook books written by local authors that are produced by small-press publishers. While they might not look as nice on the outside, they often contain very detailed and exact information.

For those who prefer to travel closer to home, we suggest visiting city or county parks, conservatories, and arboretums. You can usually call in advance to check the types of plants they have and how far along they are in the developmental stage. Other natural areas, like waterfowl habitats and wildlife preserves, are also good areas to investigate--especially if there's one within a day's drive of your home.

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Another tip is to plant wildflower seeds at home. You might just find a golden opportunity right in your own backyard!