2014, Day 249 - Pincushion

The head of a dandelion is like a quiver to hold dozens of barbed spears that take flight on the slightest breeze so that the next generation can be born.  It is simple, beautiful, and effective.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f5.6, 1/125 sec @ 500 ISO

2014, Day 118 - Target

I wonder why we don't cultivate dandelions.  They grow prolifically and take almost no input but produce nutritious leafy greens quickly and there is no need to plant more since they self-seed.  Is it an issue of output?  These are the questions that keep me up at night...

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f8, 1/320 sec @ 200 ISO

2014, Day 97 - Lances

The head of a dandelion is like a target with hundreds of little arrows crowding the bullseye.  Each seed is barbed to catch passing animals who then distribute them and there are also feathered parachutes to capture even the slightest breeze.  You are looking at evolution, the head of a dandelion is perfectly adapted widespread dispersal, this is function refined by thousands of years and it is elegant, simple, and effective.

Fuji X-E2, Fujinon 60/f2.4R
60mm, f5.6, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 133 - Balding

Just like me, this dandelion is balding.  I am not normally a vain person but this did come as a bit of a blow to my ego.  How it is that I cannot have anticipated this eventuality is hard to fathom; it runs in the family.  Oh well, a good set of clippers and you quickly accept the inevitable.  While I would not mind having my hair back I hardly notice.  Change in inevitable and, like balding, if you fight it you often look the fool, but if you accept it then your dignity may remain intact.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100//f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/100 sec @ 800 ISO

2013, Day 98 - Barbed

I am working a theme right now.  Dandelions are common but their structures are fascinating.  They carry downy umbrellas to catch the wind and fly but have a barbed seed pod to cling on to passers by.  They have evolved with distribution in mind and do it very effectively.  Each head is composed of hundreds of barbed darts read to take flight.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/100 sec @ 800 ISO

2013, Day 97 - A legion in the making

I guess spring is truly here now that the dandelions are blooming and they are ready to create armies of baby dandelions.  Another good windy day and these seeds will be spread all over and new dandelions will sprout everywhere until there is no grass.  Death to the invaders!

Canon 7D, Canon 300/f4L IS
300mm, f4, 1/320 sec @ 400 ISO

2012, Day 233 - Ending soon

This is a dandelion I encountered on a walk late last week.  They're such interesting plants because first they flower and then the flower closes and begins to die as the seeds push it outwards until the dried petals fall off and you are left with a head of seeds ready to fly away on the slightest breeze.  A couple hours later I walked past this dandelion again and all the seed were gone, the plant had done its job and it was left bereft of purpose.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/100 sec @ 320 ISO

2012, Day 222 - Spread your seed

Light is what gives life and in photography it is what we capture.  A moment of light reflecting into a medium that records it.  Hopefully it has meaning and sometimes it is a failure but it is always worthwhile because it helps us to learn and the knowledge gives us meaning.  So get out there, do something creative and if it isn't great do it again and again and eventually you and others will recognize your achievements.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f5.6, 1/125 sec @ 320 ISO

2012, Day 142 - Lion's mane

I know I missed the big dandelion crazy of a month or so ago but while talking a walk the other evening I found this fine specimen.  I liked the fact that half of the seed pods were already gone, it is like a cross section view without having to go to the trouble.  During my Photoshop tweaking I decided the colors were a distraction from all the textures so I converted to black and white and then added a little toning to warm it up a touch.  Sometimes simplicity is best.

Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/100 sec @ 500 ISO

2011, Day 130 - Perched

If you are a frequent reader of my blog you know how much I love macro photography.  A few days ago I brought you an image of a dandelion and today I revisit that subject but with a small addition.  He was so willing to model for me I too a number of pictures from different angles and this is my favorite.

Canon 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/400 sec @ 200 ISO

2010, Day 95 - Lion's mane

I would pick today as the day to capture the structure of a dandelion with gusts of thirty miles per hour. After searching for a while I managed to find on still intact...

Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f32, 1/60 sec @ 200 ISO

Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f16, 1/60 sec @ 200 ISO

Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f16, 1/60 sec @ 200 ISO