Showy Milkweed flowers and buds – Nikon D500, f13, 1/1000, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Once again I missed out on photographing Showy Milkweed at the lower elevations of northern Utah but I made up for it by photographing some of these spectacular pink wildflowers high in the Wasatch Mountains yesterday.
I’d even go so far as to say that the image above has become my new favorite Showy Milkweed photo in my portfolio. The flowers have just started opening so they are fresh and vibrant and this milkweed still has some unopened flower buds.
There is even a tiny, brown moth sitting on top of one of the flower buds.
This was the first clump of Showy Milkweed I photographed yesterday in Summit County.
Showy Milkweed flower buds – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was also able to photograph a Showy Milkweed in Morgan County that had just the flowers buds at the top, not a single flower had opened yet on this flower stalk. I like the soft pinks and greens of this photo.
Showy Milkweed blooming in Morgan County – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This Showy Milkweed was attracting pollinators, a tiny bee had landed on the top pf one of the flowers.
I didn’t see any butterflies on or near the Showy Milkweeds I photographed yesterday but I suspect that they will find these pink wildflowers soon.
I also photographed birds yesterday including a Willow Flycatcher that flew in and landed so close that I could barely fit it into the frame. I’ll share the flycatcher photos later.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos.
Beautiful! Everyone should plant milkweed!
BEAUTIFUL monarch food…
I wish I could grow this in my yard! I have tried several times and it dies.
i remember from my childhood pods that would open up, does that happen before the blooms? I may be thinking of another flower, but I vaguely remember white liquid would come from them.
“Showy” is the perfect moniker for these milkweeds. Those petals are really something!
Thank you so much for sharing the incredible beauty of the natural world.
Beautiful shots. I spent yesterday morning on Catherine’s Pass getting my wildflowers shots. We are so lucky to live in Utah.
They come up as volunteers in the garden and enjoy them there, they attract so many pollinators! Including Golden Digger Wasp that make their dens in the sand of the patio – and then the Eastern Kingbirds come around looking for them. Wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing.
Pink, one of my favorites