While wandering on foot yesterday at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Steve Creek and I found some blooming Juda’s Bush to focus on and photograph for a bit.

Blooming Juda's Bush at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaBlooming Juda’s Bush at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, f8, handheld, 1/400, ISO 2500, -0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 248mm, natural light

The light was dreadful with clouds hanging over the refuge, but I felt I had to take images of these delicate-looking native perennial plants. I’d never seen them before, or if I had, I’d never seen them in bloom and with seeds.

Each individual flower is tiny, and the fluffy seeds? They remind me of miniature stars.

Juda's Bush in bloom with seeds, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaJuda’s Bush in bloom with seeds – Canon R7, f8, handheld, 1/500, ISO 2500, -0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 248mm, natural light

There were clumps of Judas bushes along one of the paths we walked, and in the low light, they seemed to glow. I’m not sure my images show that glowing quality at all, but I had to try.

One day, I would love to photograph these wildflowers against a very dark background. Not only do I think that would look beautiful, but I also believe the photos would have a touch of drama that would accentuate the fluffy, starry seeds.

With rain forecasted for the upcoming week, I doubt these flowers and seeds will be in good condition by the end of the week.

Blooming Juda's Bush with seeds, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaBlooming Juda’s Bush with seeds – Canon R7, f8, handheld, 1/500, ISO 2500, -0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 248mm, natural light

I tried to find out more about this native plant.  What I found is that it has a spotty distribution, being concentrated in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains and along the coast. It is often found in thin woods over sandy alluvial soil, often along rivers or dunes. Juda’s Bush is a rhizomatous perennial that produces white flowers in the fall. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate individuals.

Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge has bottomland hardwood forest habitat and the nearby Arkansas River. The soil was sandy where Steve and I found these native wildflowers. I’m thrilled that we found these gorgeous wildflowers in bloom with seeds yesterday.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.