Wildflowers & Insects - # - John Ashley Fine Art Photography

Original photographs of Montana's native plants,wildflowers and insects.

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"Huckleberry Heart."

Summer in Montana means two things -- juicy-ripe huckleberries, and purple fingers.

"Huckleberry Heart" note cards available here.

You can also read about the history of Montana's "huckleberry culture" here at our Wild & Free Montana natural history website.

"Evening Aster."

There are many, many Aster species native to Montana, but they are all dark blue to lavender in color.

"Mourning Cloak."

The Mourning Cloak is Montana's state butterfly. They overwinter as adults, like this one, and then mate and lay eggs in the spring.

"Sunflower."

Summer sunflowers, like this garden variety, grow side-by-side with their wild cousins in Montana. (Note cards available here.)

You can read the fascinating history of sunflowers here on my natural history website, Wild & Free Montana.

"Angelwing."

A Satyr Angelwing butterfly (Polygonia satyrus) warms itself by basking on the sunny side of an aspen tree. These butterflies feed on tree sap more than flower nectar, and their eggs and caterpillars rely almost exclusively on thistle plants.

"Bitterroot."

The bitterroot ("Lewisia Rediviva") was declared Montana’s state flower in 1895, ninety years after Lewis and Clark "discovered" it in the Montana valley that would eventually share the flower’s name.

Note cards available here.

"Gossamer Wings."

A summer-time dragonfly rests its gossamer wings on a timothy grass seed head. (Note cards available here.)

Behind the lens.

People viewing large versions of this photograph often ask me if it's a painting. I used a relatively new macro photography technique to get amazing detail in this portrait of a fascinating creature. (Hint: I used a 20-year-old macro lens along with an extension tube, but I do have to keep a few secrets to myself!) Did you know that dragonflies can fly backwards, or reach speeds of 35 mph? They can also sit perfectly still on a grass stem and do a pretty good imitation of a stained-glass window.

"Huckleberry Heaven."

Late-summer rains make the huckleberries swell up sweet and plump, while the cool evenings transform the whole patch from dark green to crimson red. (Note cards available here.)

You can read about the history of Montana's "huckleberry culture" here at our natural history website, Wild & Free Montana.

Behind the lens.

Our friends Jim and Holly drove us up the mountainside to their "secret" huckleberry patch -- the real test of friendship here in Montana. They jumped out with empty buckets and started picking, and I hauled out my camera gear to work on this image that I had in my mind's eye. Even though the forecast called for sunshine, we climbed into the clouds and got soaking wet, picking fat berries with numb fingers. Some things are just worth it!

"Star Flower."

Starry False Solomon's Seal is a wild member of the lily family that was used medicinally by Native American tribes. The roots, shoots, leaves and fruits are also edible -- if you know how to prepare them.

"Huckleberry Heart."

Summer in Montana means two things -- juicy-ripe huckleberries, and purple fingers.

"Huckleberry Heart" note cards available here.

You can also read about the history of Montana's "huckleberry culture" here at our Wild & Free Montana natural history website.

Summer in Montana means two things -- juicy-ripe huckleberries, and purple fingers. "Huckleberry Heart" note cards available here. You can also read about the history of Montana's "huckleberry culture" here at our Wild & Free Montana natural history website." href="javascript:openLB(1054382971,'',XLarge,'',768,768);"> "Huckleberry Heart."

Summer in Montana means two things -- juicy-ripe huckleberries, and purple fingers.

"Huckleberry Heart" note cards available here.

You can also read about the history of Montana's "huckleberry culture" here at our Wild & Free Montana natural history website.

Keywords: montana huckleberry huckleberries john ashley

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