One of my favorite aspects of landscape photography is the ability to isolate pieces of the landscape. Oregon’s high desert is largely dry and vegetation is relatively sparse during the summer months. Periodically, spring rains and weather patterns combine to stimulate blooms on one of my favorite wildflowers, the Mariposa Lily. Mariposa Lilies bloom for about 24 hours and they are usually found as isolated specimens. This was a rare grouping of Mariposa Lilies, growing wild on a friends property in Central Oregon.
Mariposa Lilies near Bend, Oregon
To capture two Mariposa Lilies in full bloom is exceedingly rare. To capture three more blooms about to open is even more unique. Finding this luminous grouping of Central Oregon wildflowers is lucky but being able to share them via my photography is a joy. This Landscape photo and three other new images will be on display tomorrow, May 6th, 2011 at the Bend Brewing Company in downtown Bend, Oregon. Please stop by during Bend’s First Friday Art walk celebration and let me know what you think about this Photograph.
Thanks,
Mike Putnam
Hey there! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the great work!
Hi Mike …
I googled Mariposa Lily’s because my daughter bought me some from a fund raiser. Your web-site came up. I had never heard of them and was wondering if you can give me any pointers as to how and where to plant them. I live in Minnesota and I know it’s late to be planting things but I didn’t have a choice as to when I would receive them. Any info you have would be great. Thanks, Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for finding my site. i honestly don’t have any experience with domesticated mariposa Lilies. The Lilies I photograph are all wild desert specimens. In Central Oregon their blooms are very short lived (24-48 hours) As I believe they are bulbs, I assume they should be planted as soon as possible and in a location that will receive full sun next spring. Best of luck. Send me a photo of your blooms next spring!
Mike Putnam