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The Top 5 Locations to Photograph Spring Wildflowers
The Top 5 Locations to Photograph Spring Wildflowers
by Keenan Hursh
Spring is in the air throughout the Northern Hemisphere of this big rock we all call home. And with the rising temperatures, increased sunlight, and drastically changing ecosystems comes unique and exciting photography opportunities. Not only is spring one of the best times of the year to photograph wildlife but the explosion of energy taking place in the plant kingdom is arguably just as exciting. As many plants wake up from their winter slumber they are participating in a dazzling display of vibrant colors as they reveal their precious flowers.
Spring is a wonderful time for photography enthusiasts to explore and capture the beauty of nature's wildflowers. Across the United States, there are numerous locations where one can find a diverse array of wildflowers in full bloom during the spring season. At BCJ we love photographing all kinds of plants and flowers and I’ve decided to put together a list of some of our favorite locations throughout the United States. Here are the top five locations to photograph spring wildflowers in the USA:
Spring is a wonderful time for photography enthusiasts to explore and capture the beauty of nature's wildflowers. Across the United States, there are numerous locations where one can find a diverse array of wildflowers in full bloom during the spring season. At BCJ we love photographing all kinds of plants and flowers and I’ve decided to put together a list of some of our favorite locations throughout the United States. Here are the top five locations to photograph spring wildflowers in the USA:
The Oregon Coast
The coastal landscapes of Oregon form a rugged and scenic paradise that contains over 360 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. These areas are known for their stunning rock formations, lighthouses, tidepools, and dramatic cliffs but that’s not all. Coastal Oregon is also one of the best places on earth to photograph wildflowers as they bloom.
In the springtime, the coast is covered in a vibrant carpet of wildflowers, including the Oregon iris, lupine, paintbrush, and yellow monkeyflower. These unique flower species add vibrancy to the landscape and there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops, to say the least.
The best time to photograph wildflowers in this area starts in late April and continues throughout May. To capture the beauty of wildflowers throughout the Oregon coast, make sure you bring a wide-angle lens to capture all the dramatic scenery in one shot and a telephoto lens to get close-up shots of individual flowers. There’s also room to experiment with macro photography and everything in between.
At Backcountry Journeys we offer some incredible photography trips that visit the Oregon coast. Our Coastal Oregon & California’s Redwoods trip is perfectly timed with the bloom of the wildflowers and visits two iconic places in the pacific northwest.
The coastal landscapes of Oregon form a rugged and scenic paradise that contains over 360 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. These areas are known for their stunning rock formations, lighthouses, tidepools, and dramatic cliffs but that’s not all. Coastal Oregon is also one of the best places on earth to photograph wildflowers as they bloom.
In the springtime, the coast is covered in a vibrant carpet of wildflowers, including the Oregon iris, lupine, paintbrush, and yellow monkeyflower. These unique flower species add vibrancy to the landscape and there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops, to say the least.
The best time to photograph wildflowers in this area starts in late April and continues throughout May. To capture the beauty of wildflowers throughout the Oregon coast, make sure you bring a wide-angle lens to capture all the dramatic scenery in one shot and a telephoto lens to get close-up shots of individual flowers. There’s also room to experiment with macro photography and everything in between.
At Backcountry Journeys we offer some incredible photography trips that visit the Oregon coast. Our Coastal Oregon & California’s Redwoods trip is perfectly timed with the bloom of the wildflowers and visits two iconic places in the pacific northwest.
Grand Teton National Park
If you’re looking for an entirely different environment to photograph spring wildflowers, then look no further than the rugged Rocky Mountains. From snow-capped jagged peaks to conifer forests and mountain meadows, there are plenty of stunning wildflowers that grow throughout this mountain range. One specific location within the Rockies that is exceptional for wildflower photography is Grand Teton National Park.
This iconic Park is located in northwestern Wyoming just north of Jackson and is home to the jaw- Teton Mountains. From a plethora of wildlife species to some of the most stunning peaks you’ll ever see there is no shortage of nature photography here. And that includes capturing images of wildflowers in all their glory.
In the springtime, the park is covered in a blanket of wildflowers, including glacier lilies, yellow bells, bluebells, arrow-leaf balsam root, and purple lupine. The best time to photograph wildflowers in the park is from mid-May to early July. To capture the beauty of wildflowers in the park, make sure you have a nice variety of lenses so that you capture the entire scene before you as well as isolating individual flowers. The park also offers tons of hiking trails that allow you to escape the crowds, get to higher elevations for alpine meadows and ultimately provide even more excellent opportunities for wildflower photography.
At BCJ we offer several photography trips to the Tetons and you’ll be able to photograph all kinds of wildflowers on some of our spring departures. Grand Teton National Park is one of my favorite places on earth and the abundance of flowers and plant life in the spring is just icing on the cake.
If you’re looking for an entirely different environment to photograph spring wildflowers, then look no further than the rugged Rocky Mountains. From snow-capped jagged peaks to conifer forests and mountain meadows, there are plenty of stunning wildflowers that grow throughout this mountain range. One specific location within the Rockies that is exceptional for wildflower photography is Grand Teton National Park.
This iconic Park is located in northwestern Wyoming just north of Jackson and is home to the jaw- Teton Mountains. From a plethora of wildlife species to some of the most stunning peaks you’ll ever see there is no shortage of nature photography here. And that includes capturing images of wildflowers in all their glory.
In the springtime, the park is covered in a blanket of wildflowers, including glacier lilies, yellow bells, bluebells, arrow-leaf balsam root, and purple lupine. The best time to photograph wildflowers in the park is from mid-May to early July. To capture the beauty of wildflowers in the park, make sure you have a nice variety of lenses so that you capture the entire scene before you as well as isolating individual flowers. The park also offers tons of hiking trails that allow you to escape the crowds, get to higher elevations for alpine meadows and ultimately provide even more excellent opportunities for wildflower photography.
At BCJ we offer several photography trips to the Tetons and you’ll be able to photograph all kinds of wildflowers on some of our spring departures. Grand Teton National Park is one of my favorite places on earth and the abundance of flowers and plant life in the spring is just icing on the cake.
California
California is a vast and incredibly diverse state with a plethora of wildflower hotspots to explore. With lower-elevation valleys as well as high-alpine meadows and forests, this state is home to many wildflower species and many nature photography opportunities far and wide.
There are so many locations where you can explore the spring bloom in California. From Death Valley to the poppy and lupine blooms statewide. California is a great place to explore in the spring.
Death Valley, one of the harshest and most intense places on the planet undergoes a drastic transformation each spring as the barren desert hills and valleys are filled with a blanket of wildflowers. With colorful species such as desert marigold, evening primrose, desert stars, paintbrush, and many more the land of death is full of life in the springtime. Here at BCJ, we offer several photography tours in Death Valley searching for gorgeous landscape compositions and of course, wildflowers.
Yosemite National Park undergoes a similar transformation as the snow melts, rivers and streams rise, and plants regain their energy. Photographing colorful wildflowers with massive granite cliffs and an immense glacial valley in the background is hard to beat. Some of the common wildflower species in Yosemite National Park include the dogwood, California poppy, lupine, yarrow, marsh marigold, beardtongues, aster, and many more. Check out our Spring in Yosemite photography tour if this sounds like something you’d be interested in.
The best time to visit these locations for wildflower photography is from March to June. Wherever you’d like to go in this vast Pacific state, there’s no shortage of stunning wildflowers in the spring.
California is a vast and incredibly diverse state with a plethora of wildflower hotspots to explore. With lower-elevation valleys as well as high-alpine meadows and forests, this state is home to many wildflower species and many nature photography opportunities far and wide.
There are so many locations where you can explore the spring bloom in California. From Death Valley to the poppy and lupine blooms statewide. California is a great place to explore in the spring.
Death Valley, one of the harshest and most intense places on the planet undergoes a drastic transformation each spring as the barren desert hills and valleys are filled with a blanket of wildflowers. With colorful species such as desert marigold, evening primrose, desert stars, paintbrush, and many more the land of death is full of life in the springtime. Here at BCJ, we offer several photography tours in Death Valley searching for gorgeous landscape compositions and of course, wildflowers.
Yosemite National Park undergoes a similar transformation as the snow melts, rivers and streams rise, and plants regain their energy. Photographing colorful wildflowers with massive granite cliffs and an immense glacial valley in the background is hard to beat. Some of the common wildflower species in Yosemite National Park include the dogwood, California poppy, lupine, yarrow, marsh marigold, beardtongues, aster, and many more. Check out our Spring in Yosemite photography tour if this sounds like something you’d be interested in.
The best time to visit these locations for wildflower photography is from March to June. Wherever you’d like to go in this vast Pacific state, there’s no shortage of stunning wildflowers in the spring.
The Southwest
The American Southwest is home to a variety of unique and beautiful wildflowers, and the region's stunning landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for nature photography. One of the best places to capture the beauty of wildflowers in the Southwest is on the Colorado Plateau, which covers parts of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. This area is known for its colorful wildflowers, including Indian paintbrush, lupine, and penstemon. The best time of year to photograph wildflowers in this region is from late March to early June, depending on specific locations and elevation.
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah and on the Colorado Plateau, is a prime location for wildflower photography. The park is home to a diverse array of wildflowers, including desert paintbrush, columbine, and shooting stars. The best time to photograph wildflowers in the park is from late March to early June. To capture stunning photographs of wildflowers in Zion, consider hiking some of the park's trails, such as the Riverside Walk or the Lower Emerald Pools Trail. These trails offer excellent opportunities to photograph wildflowers against the park's iconic red rock formations. And, as if the flowers weren’t enough, there are plenty of waterfalls to add to your compositions this time of year.
Page, Arizona is another exceptional location for spring wildflower photography. This area is home to many wildflower species, including desert marigolds, globemallow, and Indian blanket. The best time to photograph wildflowers here is from mid-March to early May. There are many iconic locations in and around page that offer excellent opportunities to photograph wildflowers against stunning rock formations and dramatic landscapes.
At BCJ, we offer many trips to the deserts of the American Southwest throughout the year and many departures in spring as well! Check out our photography tours in the Southwest for more information!
The American Southwest is home to a variety of unique and beautiful wildflowers, and the region's stunning landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for nature photography. One of the best places to capture the beauty of wildflowers in the Southwest is on the Colorado Plateau, which covers parts of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. This area is known for its colorful wildflowers, including Indian paintbrush, lupine, and penstemon. The best time of year to photograph wildflowers in this region is from late March to early June, depending on specific locations and elevation.
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah and on the Colorado Plateau, is a prime location for wildflower photography. The park is home to a diverse array of wildflowers, including desert paintbrush, columbine, and shooting stars. The best time to photograph wildflowers in the park is from late March to early June. To capture stunning photographs of wildflowers in Zion, consider hiking some of the park's trails, such as the Riverside Walk or the Lower Emerald Pools Trail. These trails offer excellent opportunities to photograph wildflowers against the park's iconic red rock formations. And, as if the flowers weren’t enough, there are plenty of waterfalls to add to your compositions this time of year.
Page, Arizona is another exceptional location for spring wildflower photography. This area is home to many wildflower species, including desert marigolds, globemallow, and Indian blanket. The best time to photograph wildflowers here is from mid-March to early May. There are many iconic locations in and around page that offer excellent opportunities to photograph wildflowers against stunning rock formations and dramatic landscapes.
At BCJ, we offer many trips to the deserts of the American Southwest throughout the year and many departures in spring as well! Check out our photography tours in the Southwest for more information!
The Great Smoky Mountains
Wildflower photography isn’t just limited to the western part of the country, there are plenty of places out east that put on dazzling displays as well. One of our personal favorites is the Great Smoky Mountains. Full of life in all its forms, dazzling waterfalls, and of course wildflower blooms this mountain range is the perfect place to visit in the spring.
The Great Smoky Mountains are located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and are known for their stunning landscapes and diverse array of wildflowers. The park is home to over 1,500 species of flowering plants, including trillium, lady's slipper orchids, and violets. The best time to capture the beauty of wildflowers in the Great Smoky Mountains is from mid-April to early June. The park's scenic trails, waterfalls, and forests offer excellent opportunities to capture stunning wildflower photographs with a nice diversity of backdrops at your disposal.
Backcountry Journeys offers several photography trips to the Great Smoky Mountains throughout the year. If you’re looking for an abundance of wildlife, rolling mountain ridges, lush forests, and of course, stunning wildflowers then look no further than the Great Smoky Mountains.
Wildflower photography isn’t just limited to the western part of the country, there are plenty of places out east that put on dazzling displays as well. One of our personal favorites is the Great Smoky Mountains. Full of life in all its forms, dazzling waterfalls, and of course wildflower blooms this mountain range is the perfect place to visit in the spring.
The Great Smoky Mountains are located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and are known for their stunning landscapes and diverse array of wildflowers. The park is home to over 1,500 species of flowering plants, including trillium, lady's slipper orchids, and violets. The best time to capture the beauty of wildflowers in the Great Smoky Mountains is from mid-April to early June. The park's scenic trails, waterfalls, and forests offer excellent opportunities to capture stunning wildflower photographs with a nice diversity of backdrops at your disposal.
Backcountry Journeys offers several photography trips to the Great Smoky Mountains throughout the year. If you’re looking for an abundance of wildlife, rolling mountain ridges, lush forests, and of course, stunning wildflowers then look no further than the Great Smoky Mountains.
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.
When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.
Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.
Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.
You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com
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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.