Siberian Squill (Scilla Siberica)

[Ed Vatza]

Yesterday morning I returned to the area along my local creek where I had found the Spring Beauty the day before. As I walked along the bank, something caught me eye. There amongst all the dried weeds from last year was one tiny blue flower poking it head through. I got down on my knees and tried clearing out some of the weeds. Then I was down on my belly trying to capture the solitary tiny blue flower. It's shape was so different that I thought it was be a snap to identify. Well it wasn't that easy. It wasn't in my guidebooks and it took a bit of searching around the internet before I could positively identify it as Siberian Squill. This is the first time I have seen this flower.

Image made using a Canon 30D; Sigma 150mm Macro lens; Canon 430 EX Flash w/ LumiQuest Softbox; handheld (even the little beanbag/pod I had raised the camera up too high).

1/40 sec @ f/8; ISO 400; 0 EV; FEC -1

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Ed,
I like the composition, image and capture, the framing of your flower is just right. I like the color rendition and the soft texture...:cool:

[Ed Vatza]

This is a second image of this flower that I also like. It is more of a "back door" view with slightly different light. I'm just presenting here for comparison.

I was about to say that the color in the first is truer but it really does depend on the light, doesn't it?

[denise ippolito]

Ed, I like the focus better on the second one but the colors in the flower on the first one-Wow!! Thanks for sharing your unusual find!!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

What a colour Ed. Is it in the process of opening up? Unusual piece at the top of the stem too. Lovely BG in the 2nd.

[Joseph Martines]

My preference is the first one.

What a little gem you found and captured.

THanks for sharing.

[Julie Kenward]

Those grow all over the place around here...but now I know their name thanks to your hard work!

I definitely prefer the second - the first feels OOF to me and that's not like your images. I love the BG in both and the blue is deeper in the first but that second has a much better overall feel to me.

[Ed Vatza]

the first feels OOF to me and that's not like your images. I love the BG in both and the blue is deeper in the first but that second has a much better overall feel to me.

I have to say that I agree with you, Jules.

I like the comp on the first better but it seemed soft to me. The second is better but I am not as thrilled with the back door comp. I have others but the backgrounds don't thrill me.

So what to do? I am going back out this evening and see if I can find it again and give it another try. If I can't find it, I'll just have to come to your place! :D

[Mike Moats]

Hey Ed, like the second better, more focus on the stem.

[Ed Cordes]

As all have said the colors are wonderful. I agree the lower area of the front petal of the first image looks OOF. The second image is not as pleasing a comp, but better focused.

[Ed Vatza]

OK, I went back tonight and there was no Siberian Squill to be found. So I went back through my images from Sunday and found this one. Very similar to the first but I think the focus is a bit better. Your thoughts?

[George Scott]

Ed, I preferred the color in the first but it did seem soft to me, which the second image fixed. I think the third version captures the color and has better focus - lovely image
George

[Richard Lovison]

Ed,

Overall I like the third image best. I like the way the flower is positioned in the first and third shots over the second and the third is a bit sharper in the front petal and stem over the first. I prefer the slightly warmer colors in the second over the colder bluer tones of the first and third.