Macro flower photography from a walk in the park

A few weeks away can make a surprising difference in a garden, or in this case, a local park. Before I left town for nearly three weeks, no flowers had begun to bloom, however, when I returned, the landscape had transformed into a colorful display of summer blossoms.

On a recent walk through the park, I brought along my macro lens to take a closer look at some of the flowers that had appeared while I was gone. It was a wonderful welcome home, and a reminder of how quickly nature changes when you're not looking.

Below are a few of my favorite close-up images from that walk.

Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium):

Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria):

Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense):

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca):

Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus):

Vervains (Genus Verbena):

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria):

Purple Crownvetch (Securigera varia):

Prairie Clovers (Genus Dalea):

Wild Indigos (Genus Baptisia):

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa):

Bird's-foot Trefoils (Genus Lotus):