Close up flowering Lewis’s Flax – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While I was up in the Wasatch Mountains last week I saw several clumps of blooming Lewis’s Flax and I stopped to take a few photos of these lovely wildflowers. Lewis’s Flax (Linum lewisii) is also called Lewis Flax, Prairie Flax, Blue Flax and Wild Blue Flax.
This perennial plant can be found in North America from Alaska south to Baja California and from the Pacific Coast to east of the Mississippi River. Seeds can be purchased to grow in gardens. The five petals of these native wildflowers can range from very pale blue to deep blue to purple.
Lewis’s Flax blossoms – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
No matter what their common name is or what color I find, I love photographing blooming Lewis’s Flax. They look dainty and delicate but are actually fairly strong and hardy.
Down in the Salt Lake Valley the best place I have found to photograph these wildflowers is out on Antelope Island State Park where they bloom earlier than they do up in the mountains which is usually when the baby bison on the island are moving around with their mothers. Up in the mountains I find them blooming on the slopes from early June through July. At lower elevations I see them blooming earlier than I do at higher elevations.
Lewis’s Flax in bud and bloom – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I used my “bird” gear to take these photos. While I could have taken these images using my macro lens with a long lens I was able to take photos without walking up to these wildflowers which reduced the chance of trampling on other plants.
I adore these beautiful wildflowers.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.
Simply lovely. Thank you.
Beautiful!!
Thanks for sharing.