Wildflower Season Begins: Should Be a Great One
Heavy rains in recent weeks should bring an explosion of wildflowers, those in the know say. In fact, it’s begun.
“The colorful poppies, lupine, globemallow and brittlebush are beginning to bloom right now, and will continue to do so during the next few weeks throughout the region,” said R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department director. “The County parks provide the perfect venues to take in the most awesome displays of color nature has to offer.”
Guide to Nearby Regional Parks
Get trail maps plus links to the parks’ calendars. Park rangers are organizing wildflower hikes and programs.
Photo tips
From Linda and Dr. Dick Buscher, long-time North Phoenix wildflower aficionados:
- Be aware of the flowers’ background.
- Cloudy days are often better than sunny ones that causes harsh shadows.
- Use a tripod when possible.
- To assure your wildflower is in focus, align your camera’s sensor to the part of the flower you want most sharp.
- If there is wind, choose a setting similar to one for shooting moving children: high shutter speed, which might mean higher ISO, and a smaller f-stop (to let in more light).
Remember, sometimes imperfection is what creates the most interesting shot.
“If you’d like to see what’s blooming around the parks before you arrive, we encourage you to visit our Go Wild for Flowers Facebook page and Pinterest board which feature numerous blooms,” Cardin suggested.
