Updates | Frank Mayfield

Another Pretty Yellow Bloom

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:49:22 -0600

Potentilla norvegica NORWAY CINQUEFOIL

To the right you see Potentilla norvegica NORWAY CINQUEFOIL. This species is part of the rose family. Potentilla means little, powerful one, referring to medicinal properties, and norvegica refers to Norway. The common name comes from the flower that has five petals. The unusual shape of the flower head of NORWAY CINQUEFOIL is called a cyme.

Work on book two - Elusive Splendor - was interrupted by unusual pain in my chest. It turns out the pain came from occluded coronary arteries. The medical solution is by-pass grafting. The entire open heart surgery took only one day, December 8, but I spent 11 days total in the hospital. I have been home now for seven days. I'm recovering nicely, and it feels good to get back to my photography work (it feels at least as good as possible after you've been figuratively hit by a train doing 100 mph).

Five Petals, Five Leaflets

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:47:52 -0600

Potentilla arguta PRAIRIE CINQUEFOIL

To the right you see Potentilla arguta PRAIRIE CINQUEFOIL. This species is part of the rose family. Potentilla means little, powerful one, referring to medicinal properties, and arguta means sharp-toothed. The common name comes from the five leaflets in the compound leaf; the flower also has five petals.

Work continues on the layout of book two, Elusive Splendor. I hope to have it finished and in the editing stage by mid-March.

A Pretty Pinkish

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:46:18 -0600

Polygonum pensylvanicum PINKWEED

To the right you see an image of Pinkweed just starting bloom. It's a very nice little multiple flower head. Polygonum bloom just about everywhere, on prairies, along the edges of cultivated gardens, in big city allies, and between the cracks in expressways. A survivor, no matter what.

Some good news. A contemporary art gallery, the A. Montgomery Ward Gallery, at the University of Illinois at Chicago will mount an exhibition of about 20 of my prairie wildflower photo images from February 15 to March 16, 2011. This is the first major exhibition of my work at an art gallery. I am excited.

Fall Controlled Burn

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:40:27 -0500

Prescribed Burn 10:30:2010

Last Saturday, a small group of volunteers showed up to conduct a controlled burn in the Peacock Prairie at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve. In addition to burning a portion of the field, which we do each year in late fall and early spring, we had a large amount of Cornus racemosa GRAY DOGWOOD, which had been cut as part of the overall management plan for the prairie, to burn as well. The pile was from the last two years, so it was rather large. Due to unusual dryness, we knew we were going to burn the Milwaukee swale (has the most grass and usually the most water), so we decided to stack the dry dogwood stems into a pile in the center there as well. The pile ended up being about nine feet tall. It burned quickly, the entire pile reduced to ashes in about 10 minutes. To the right is a photo of that burning pile.

Curled Purple

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:29:45 -0500

Aster novae-angliae NEW ENGLAND ASTER

Today is about five and one half months since my last update. I know this slog (slow, irregular blog) would be intermittent at best, but I didn’t think I would pause this long a time between posts. There is a reason, of course: I have been out photographing at the Peacock Prairie on the The James Woodworth Prairie at least once-a-week, if not more, starting in April, and still ongoing now a the end of October.

What a growing season 2010 has been for northeastern Illinois. First record rain for both spring and summer. Record heat for the summer, the warmest summer since weather records were started 180 years ago. Record dryness and warmth for the fall of 2010. The results have been summarized as: summer was hellish, and fall was summerlike.

The results have been record growth and record bloom. This morning, October 26, a hybrid bearded iris bloomed in my home garden. The prairie, and everywhere else, has seen amazing amounts of rebloom, plants trying to get in two blooming cycles in one growing season.

Deep Pink

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:27:38 -0500

Polygonum amphibium stipulaceum WATER KNOTWEED

Over the past two weeks, I have continued to process photographs from the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve, and now I am in sight of finishing the species list for this processing cycle.

The image to the right is Polygonum amphibium stipulaceum WATER KNOTWEED. This species really loves water, often starting to grow and bloom in the Milwaukee swale after 6-10 weeks of being covered by water (sometimes up to 18 inches deep).

Polygonum means many knee joints or angles, referring to the family's stem tendency to not grow straight, but to angle off slightly at each stem joint; this species has many joints, separated by about 1-2 inches of stem length. In botany, amphibium means growing in and out of water. Finally stipulaceum means bearing stipules [The basic angiosperm leaf is composed of a leaf base, two stipules, a petiole, and a blade. The leaf base is the slightly expanded area where the leaf attaches to the stem. The paired stipules, when present, are located on each side of the leaf base and may resemble scales, spines, glands, or leaflike structures. The petiole is a stalk that connects the blade with the leaf base.]

White Spikes

Fri, 21 May 2010 10:25:41 -0500

Polygala senega SENECA SNAKEROOT

Over the last six weeks, I have processed photographs of ten more species, mainly because we have been setting records for rainfall in the Midwest section of the United States. I've tried to get out and begin taking photos of the James Woodworth Prairie, but have only been able to capture images on two occasions. The image to the right of Polygala senaga SENECA SNAKEROOT was taken five days ago. I've been photographing this species for four years and was unable to identify it, mainly because I could only find one image online, and that image was a plant with mixed white and pink in the flowers. Based on that visual preconception, I was unable to find a match in my guidebook.

Polygala means much milk in early Greek usage; this meaning stems from a belief that cattle grazing in fields with this plant produced more milk. This plant got its common name from the North American Seneca Indian's use of it as a treatment for snake bite. Other tribes used the root for respiratory problems, headache, and stomach ache.

Tall and Skinny

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:23:33 -0500

Plantago rugelii RED-STALKED PLANTAIN

This species, Plantago rugelii RED-STALKED PLANTAIN, is commonly found in and outside of prairies. It is very adaptable and is related to plantains whose fruits (banana–like) are used for cooking and its seeds are often found in commercial birdseed products.

The genus name, Plantago, means foot print or sole of foot and refers to the broad leaves. The epithet, rugelii, refers to Ferdinand Rugel, 19th century American botanist in the southeastern U.S.

The image at right shows the flower stalk early in bloom. You can see the white stigma protruding from the very small green flower. Light brown anthers will shortly appear. Due to its bloom size, this species is difficult to photograph. I don’t have a good magnified view of the flower at full bloom, but I hope to have captured a quality image before I complete the layout of my second book - Elusive Splendor: Wildflower of the Tall Grass Prairie. Time will tell.

Bumpy

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:21:42 -0500

Physostegia virginiana arenaria PRAIRIE OBEDIENT PLANT

This plant, Physostegia virginiana arenaria PRAIRIE OBEDIENT PLANT, is unusual because you can push the flowers to a new position and the flowers will stay there, at least for a good while (hence the common name). Because the flower is bladder shaped, roughly like skin bladders used to carry wine in Roman times, its genus name is physostegia (bladder covering), its epithet is virgianiana since this species was found in Virginia originally, and the third name is arenaria because it grows in drier, well-drained (sand-like) soil.

The image to your right is a top view looking down on a bloom spike just as two flowers are opening. The other purple 'bumps' are flower buds which will open in due course. This is one of the species that will be featured in my second book: Elusive Splendor: Wildflowers of the Tall Grass Prairie.

I've received another rejection letter concerning publication of my first book, Abundant Splendor: Wildflowers of the Tall Grass Prairie. That makes the 32nd rejection of my work. "While it seems like very interesting work, it is not quite right for our current list." They've essentially said, 'you're not bad, just not our type.' And life goes on.

A Pastel Phlox

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:59:18 -0500

Phlox glaberrima interior MARSH PHLOX

Busy has been the word for the last week. I have been concentrating most of my efforts on finishing a complete review of the wildflower species' list from the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve. As you can see, I've made it to the P's. This species is Phlox glaberrima interior MARSH PHLOX. As the common name (from the USDA common name list) implies, this plant grows in wetter areas. The flowers are pink to purple.

This species has a Latin trinomial. Botanist try to keep names to genus: Phlox (flame, blaze) and descriptive adjective: glaberrima (most smooth, most without hair). But this species is close enough to other phlox species that it needed a third descriptor: interior (inner).

Purple Spires

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:57:24 -0500

Petalostemum purpureum PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER

This species, Petalostemum purpureum PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER, is much more widespread at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve than its 'white cousin' Petalostemum candidum WHITE PRAIRIE CLOVER. This Purple Prairie Clover is a little unusual is that it grow well moderate to high levels of rainfall, but it grows as well, if not better, with low levels of rainfall. During the drought summers of 2004 and 2005, this was one of those plants that seemed to really show off it bloom. This particular image highlights the verticality of this species growth pattern, and the composition is just pleasing to my eye. I thought I'd share it with you.

Two days ago, on Saturday, I received the first rejection from my last batch of book proposals. The university located in Princeton, NJ, sent out a letter that briefly stated "Unfortunately, [Abundant Splendor: Wildflowers of the Tall Grass Prairie] does not fit our plans for our list." This is the 31st rejection since I began 'shopping this book around' in March of 2008.

Tiny White Flowers

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:53:32 -0600

Petalostemum candidum WHITE PRAIRIE CLOVER

This species, Petalostemum candidum WHITE PRAIRIE CLOVER, is rare at the James Woodworth Prairie. I've only seen three specimens in bloom over four summers of image capture. This is a wildflower species you will only find in original prairie, or, if deliberately planted, in restorations. The PURPLE PAIRIE CLOVER is much more abundant where I photograph. I hope to feature this Petalostemum candidum WHITE PRAIRIE CLOVER in my next book, Elusive Splendor.

I've just finished processing about a hundred images of this species to create the individual species identification sheet used in the species directory list at the James Woodworth Prairie. This image clearly shows the multiple flowers that make up the flower head.

Is it Christmas yet?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:51:22 -0600

Penthorum sedoides DITCH STONECROP

This image of Penthorum sedoides DITCH STONECROP seems reminiscent of a Yuletide celebration with the vivid reds, yellows, and greens. This water loving species has large, branching seed pods that turn red as the plant dies back in the fall. This image was captured in late September, 2009. I hope to use this species in my next book, Elusive Splendor.

Concerning the hunt for a mass-market publisher, over the past 7 days, I have submitted two book proposals to two universities, both on the east coast: one located in New Haven, CT, has an interest in photography, and the other, located in Princeton, NJ, has an interest in natural history (botany). The third book proposal submission went to a large, commercial publisher located in San Francisco, CA, that has an interest in natural history and photography. It typically takes about six weeks for the commercial houses to indicate an interest, if any, and about three months for the universities to indicate an interest, if any.

A Spinning Top?

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:43:31 -0600

Pedicularis canadensis WOOD BETONY

There are several flowers that look to be spinning. Two like this are PASTURE ROSE as it begins to open and PASTURE THISTLE when in full bloom. This species, Pedicularis canadensis WOOD BETONY, is the earliest to bloom with this type of flowering head; it is also one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring.

Pedicularis canadensis WOOD BETONY was believed, when eaten, to cause lice in cattle. The basal leaves are almost fern-like in structure. This is one of those wildflowers that you will pretty much find only in quality prairie remnants (or deliberately seeded in restorations). This species is featured in my first book, Abundant Splendor.

Wild Quinine

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:37:32 -0600

Parthenium integrifolium WILD QUININE

This species, Pathenium integrifolium WILD QUININE, is so named because it is said to have chemicals that reduce a fever. I'm not sure if the flowers or leaves are made into a tea, or as part of a soup. At any rate, the 'flower' is composed of many disk flowers, the big round parts, and five ray flowers, the 'petals' of the flower. The petals are quite small and it's hard to see them in the photo at left. I hope to use this species in my next book, Elusive Splendor.

Cowbane

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:06:54 -0600

Oxypolis rigidior COWBANE

Historically, cowbane was given this name because it is a poisonous plant that is especially poisonous to cattle. In general cowbanes like moisture and they grow in wet, marshy areas. This species, Oxypolis rigidior COWBANE, is widespread in north America. I have just finished processing my photos from the James Woodworth Prairie for this species, which will be included in my next book, Elusive Splendor.

The image you see to the right is a flower head just after the last petals have dropped from the individual flowers. The remaining seed heads, pinkish in color, are maturing and in the fall will open to disburse the seeds. This image lets you clearly see the structure of umbels and pedicels that cause this flower to look like an image of fireworks in mid-explosion.

Another Cover?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:02:12 -0600

Oxalis viloacea VIOLET WOOD SORREL

This morning I finished processing this species, Oxalis violacea VIOLET WOOD SORREL, which is another species of 'false' clover. This small flower begins blooming by the end of April. It can be found, pretty much, only in prairie. I had about 76 photos of this species captured in the summers of 2006 and 2007. I was updating this species for an identification page for publishing on The James Woodworth Prairie Preserve's website and came across this colorful image.

This species is featured in my first book, Abundant Splendor.

A Clover?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:55:54 -0600

I have just finished processing this species, Oxalis stricta COMMON WOOD SORREL. It has a small yellow flower, a little over ¼" wide. I hope to use this species photos in my second book on prairie wildflowers, Elusive Splendor. This species is often call a 'false shamrock.'

Since I started this fine art prairie photography project in the summer of 2005, I have captured about 40,000 images to document 140 native wildflower species of the tall grass prairie.

From February 6 through 8, my wife and I were visiting relatives in Los Angeles. Oxalis stricta COMMON WOOD SORREL was in full bloom there in mid-winter. Not only did the species bloom in the desert winter, it was about twice the size in height and bloom size of the specimens blooming in the prairie.