Wild coreopsis blooming in the igneous outcroppings on Hughes Mountain in the Missouri Ozarks. Hughes Mountain is part of the St Francois Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America. The columnar rhyolite formations on Hughes Mountain are a unique geologic feature found in only a few places on the earth. It is similar to the formations of Devil's Tower in Wyoming and Giant's Causeway in Ireland, only on a smaller scale.

These wild azaleas were found growing in the ledge of a sandstone box canyon inSte Genevieve County Missouri. The wild ferns a just the right compliment to them.

Springtime sees the appearance of wild phlox in the woodlands of Missouri. In the spring of 2017 I was fortunate to be hiking in Mark Twain National Forest as it was blooming alongside the trail on a day with intermittent sun and clouds. With patience I was able to capture several scenes.

With the appearance of wild phlox in the woodlands of Missouri it is tempting to photograph. However, wild phlox is challenging to photograph in a woodland setting because the tonal values are similar to the greens of the forest. Our eyes compensate to differentiate the colors but the camera registers tones.

These wild azaleas were found growing in the ledge of a sandstone box canyon inSte Genevieve County Missouri. The wild ferns a just the right compliment to them.

I came upon these wild azaleas while hiking at Pickle Springs Natural Area one spring.

Wild coreopsis blooming on the rhyolite slopes of Hughes Mountain in the Missouri Ozarks. Hughes Mountain is part of the St Francois Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America. The columnar rhyolite formations on Hughes Mountain are a unique geologic feature found in only a few places on the earth. It is similar to the formations of Devil's Tower in Wyoming and Giant's Causeway in Ireland, only on a smaller scale. The composition of this image and lens choice distorts the steepness of this slope, but was chosen to emphasize the wildflowers.

Wild coreopsis blooming in the igneous outcroppings on Hughes Mountain in the Missouri Ozarks. Hughes Mountain is part of the St Francois Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America. The columnar rhyolite formations on Hughes Mountain are a unique geologic feature found in only a few places on the earth. It is similar to the formations of Devil's Tower in Wyoming and Giant's Causeway in Ireland, only on a smaller scale.

I came upon these wild azaleas while hiking at Pickle Springs Natural Area one spring.

I came across this wild phlox while hiking in the La Barque Creek valley at Young Conservation Area.