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This small flower is one of the species I miss from my time living the southeast. The Mountain Bluet (Houstonia serpyllifolia) was always one of my favorites to photograph. I’ve spent a good bit of time face down in the dank soil of the Smokies considering these little beauties.
The clusters they often form give credence to the concept of strength in numbers. These small-but-mighty blossoms damn well refuse to be ignored or overlooked in favor of larger, more flamboyant species. What they lack in size, they make up in prolificness.
I could spend a bunch more time anthropomorphizing these feisty little flowers, but let me get back to extolling the virtues of macro photography instead. Or, if you’re not a photographer, the value of paying attention to the intricate details of our wonderful planet.
The world inside our world is well worth some time spent being curious. And now I’m beginning to sound like Ted Lasso, so let’s move on.
As for my beloved bluets, I now live in the desert where they don’t grow. But I do have a whole world of other flowers to enjoy here. Many right in my own yard as I nurture my own little patch of native diversity.
I just need to remind myself to take a break from gardening to bust out the macro lens and give them the same nature-paparazzi time I’ve given bluets over the years.
Cheers, friends! Happy exploring.
Bluesky Art Show
This post is inspired by the Bluesky Art Show, a challenge to share artwork surrounding a weekly theme each Saturday.
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