In the Field

Goatsbeard Emerging. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 12, 2005.

Goatsbeard is definitely one of my favourite plants! I find almost every stage of its life cycle visually appealing. I caught this one a day or two before blooming. It was strongly backlit naturally by the sun on a steep hillside. I knew the background would be pleasingly blurred in the final image and would be a interesting blend from green in the lower half of the image (actually Douglas Fir trees) and deep blue in the upper half of the image (which is the cloudless sky). I also loved how the sunlight brought out both the edges of the leaves and the veins within them.

Alert - Digitally Manipulated Image: This image clearly crosses the line from simple digital correction to digital manipulation. The soft, dream-like image you are viewing is partially the product of digital manipulation. For details on how this image was produced, see Bio: Techniques (I refer to this technique as the "Wildflower Effect").

It is my policy to clearly identify ANY images on this website that overstep the bounds of digital correction and enter the territory of digital manipulation (see Voice: Commentary: Digital Correction vs. Digital Manipulation).

Behind the Camera

Goatsbeard Emerging. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 12, 2005.

Digital Capture; Compressed RAW (NEF) format; ISO 100.

Nikon D2X with Nikon AF Micro 200 mm f/4 ED lens (300 mm equivalent with digital conversion factor) supported on Gitzo G2220 Explorer tripod with Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead.

1/200s @ f4.2; No compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.

At the Computer

Goatsbeard Emerging. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 12, 2005.

Details to follow.

Conservation

Goatsbeard Emerging. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 12, 2005.

Ten percent of the revenue generated by this image will be donated to Wildsight.

Species Status in Canada*: This species is not designated as at risk.

Goatsbeard or Yellow Salisfy (Tragopogon dubius) resembles a large dandelion and flowers from early spring through to late fall. The species was originally introduced from Europe and quickly spread throughout much of North America. Today goatsbeard is found from the southern Northwest Territories south to New Mexico. Although stunning in appearance, goatsbeard is considered a weed by many.

This specimen of goatsbeard was photographed in the Columbia Valley of the East Kootenays. While this species is not currently considered at any risk itself, many ecosystems within the Columbia Valley face development pressure, including pressure from logging operations. Wildsight is an effective conservation organization that protects biodiversity and promotes sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Rocky Mountains. Support for Wildsight, through donation or becoming a member, will help ensure that they remain effective in their efforts to conserve threatened or endangered species and ecosystems.

*as determined by COSEWIC: The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada