This round of Trackside features images from five photographers for the theme Flowers. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we weren’t able to accept a reader submission this time.
Golden rod and buttercups are wild flowers, weeds if you will, therefore won’t count for many voters, in fact the only real “flowers”, i.e. planted garden, are those shown by Tom. However Ken clicks with me with the unique perspective of a steam locomotive adrift in a sea of green with bluish purple caps on the waves.
“A weed is simply a misplaced plant,” a long deceased Botany professor.
Voted for Ken’s picture; thought the flowers in the field was more attractive than the flower pots by the tracks, although Tom’s phote is a very good 2nd choice. The other shots were good also. You guys do good work, and thank you all for sharing them with the rest of us.
I went with Andy this time. As well as the sea of yellow blossoms on the near slope, I liked the flowering trees on the other side which add that little subtle extra.
Flower pots seem just a little too “staged” to attract my vote.
John
“Time constraints”? Sounds like too many meetings going on at Kalmbach. [O]
Is it just my perception, or is this photo contest thing running out of gas? I sure hope not.
Anyway–even before enlarging the submitted photos, I was fairly sure I knew which one I prefered. Composed nicely, bursting with color, and the main subjects of the photo are flowers and trains. Plus I liked (this time) the portrait format.
Voted for Tom.
I went for trains with flowers. Tom’s were colorful but staged, Andy’s were flowerful but bland, colorwise (not really his fault!), so I went for Ken’s shot.
The day lilies in Matt’s picture are familiar trackside flora in this area.
AHH- I think the “wild flowers” in Andy’s shot is leafy spurge- a noxious weed that is the ban of ranchers and very difficult to control.
Steam and Blue Bonnets got it for me. I took Ken’s also.
What an awesome opportunity to Stage that train shoot!
Zardoz, I agree…maybe its time to let multiple readers contribute.
Perhaps they could set a number like 10 total contestants and make up the difference with readers.
Here is one I would have sent:
http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/EdKnueppel/Trains%20Shared%20Photos/P7053943.jpg
Spiffy!!
Thanks for the I.D.; I hadn’t had a chance to attempt it before posting the photo. Noxious or not, it does make for a colorful, neatly textured landscape. In fact, according to the Wisconsin DNR:
The species was first recorded in the U.S. in 1827, and was probably introduced accidentally in a mix of agricultural seed stock, or intentionally for its attractive, yellow, heart-shaped bracts.
I agree that the daylilies in Matt’s shot are excellent. I’ve got tiger lilies blooming in my front yard right now, and they’re also quite wonderful (and hearty).
Thanks to everyone for your comments, and for the contributors’ great submissions. This has proven to be a colorful round.
Flowers come in a wide variety of types, whether they are wild or domesticated. While we enjoyed seeing Scotch Broom in full bloom all over Washington during our June visit, I did mention in the text that accompanied my entry that most people who live in Washington regard it as a noxious weed, and work hard to erradicate it.
Alex Mayes
That is really nice…Both near and far in focus too. Photo is “framed” so nice.
But voting for submitted one…I had to choose Andy’s. Liked the quality of “railroad stuff”, in his picture, and of course plenty of a field of yellow flowers.