Scarlet Mallow: Beauty with dirt, sticks and flies

Because beauty isn't restrained and contained in manicured gardens, but sometimes shows up in the midst of the dirt, sticks and flies, a couple of photos of Scarlet Mallow, from Grasslands National Park this summer.

Yes, this is the beauty-with-flies shot - Scarlet Mallow. © SB 

And this, the beauty-with-dry-sticks in the dirt.  © SB

Scarlet Mallow is a tricky flower to photograph, because it blooms so brilliantly in full sun... But full sun is not kind to either its bright orange petals, or its soft gray-green leaves. The trick is to wait for cloud cover — but who wants that in the park? This trip, I brought a white umbrella, a trick my piano teacher shared... Not bad, apart from then having to correct for excessive shade... At least the light is even! 

Prairie Wildflower: Scarlet Mallow. 
Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Photo Date: June 13, 2016. 

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