When I arrived in Maine in early June, it was still spring and very obvious by the many spring flowers that were in full bloom and the lush, bright green of the new growth on the ground and in the trees. In addition to planning to photograph Maine’s breathtaking landscapes, seascapes and wildlife, I planned to photograph some of Maine’s wildflowers, and therefore, brought my 105mm macro lens for some intimate images of the flowers, like the one below of American Plum flowers that were blooming near a seaside marsh.
In the opening image above, there is a lone Iris flower growing between the huge rocks along the coast on Mount Desert Island. This image was taken shortly after shooting the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, and the early morning sun was lighting the island’s eastern shoreline.
Because Maine’s landscapes and seascapes were so beautiful, I concentrated most of my time exploring, hiking and photographing them, but could not help but see and enjoy the wildflowers that were growing along the roads, in open fields and on the trails in Acadia National Park and nearby refuges and preserves. The wildflowers were like beautiful gems or jewels adding to the visual pleasure of Maine’s stunning natural sights.
Below is a Pink Lady Slipper that was growing along the trail that circled Jordan’s Pond in Acadia National Park. Pink Lady Slippers are unique in appearance and are attractive, rare flowers. The plant is actually an orchid that has two basal leaves that stay horizontal and a single stalk growing about a foot high bearing a single pink flower. It takes several years for a lady slipper plant to go from a seed to a mature plant that can live for twenty years.
Although I enjoyed seeing the ever present wildflowers, I did not spend enough time photographing them, which I realized towards the end of my second week in Maine. In an effort to capture some their beauty, I spent a couple of hours one morning with my 105mm and photographed some of the wildflowers along the road near the cottage. There was a good representation of some of the flowers I had been seeing around the island. The following are a few of those images.
Above is an Oxeye Daisy, which is a wide spreading flowering plant native to Europe, but an invasive species in Maine and other States where it is now a common weed that forms dense colonies that displace other plants. Nevertheless, they are very attractive along country roads.
An Orange Hawkweed is above, and it too is native to parts of Europe, used as an ornamental plant here, and also considered an invasive species in some areas of the United States and Canada.
I do not know the name of the above flowers. If someone recognizes them, please leave a comment with their name.
Above is Queen Anne’s Lace or also known as Wild Carrot. It too was introduced in the US from Europe, grows to three feet tall and has had many uses to include a companion plant to crops, herbal remedies, dyes, and its carrot-like root can be eaten when it is a young plant.
Watercress flowers are above. Watercress grows both in and beside streams, marshes, ditches, ponds and canals and is a native perennial.
Above is a sunlit Dogwood plant flower, not a Dogwood tree, but the flower is very similar. The Dogwood flowers are harbingers of spring, blooming early and before there is much green growth.
In addition to the above wildflowers, there were many Lupines growing in small and large groups along roads, in open fields and around people’s homes. They are predominantly purple, but there are also some pink and white Lupines, with white being the least common. Lupines do not grow in Virginia, or at least I have never seen any. They were beautiful and were amazingly striking when lit by the sun. I photographed Lupines many times while in Maine. Some of those images follow.
The above images, as well as other wildflower images, can be seen on my Website at: http://stabone.com/p26222471 These wildflower images were photographed with D700 and D800 Nikon camera bodies and the following Nikon lenses: 105mm, 24-70mm, 28-300mm, and 70-200mm.
Stephen L Tabone Nature Photography 
Great pics! The purple flowers look like Phlox but I am not sure.
Thank you on the “great pics” and for identifying the violet colored flowers. I researched Phlox on the Web and I believe that is correct.
Years later, when you may not see this comment, I was going to add that the same … My aunt had ‘creeping phlox’ in her garden. I never remember seeing them wild in Maine, but I believe they are there.
Came across your site while researching wildflowers from home for a short story I am writing. 🙂
I grew up in Maine. The Lady Slipper and Queen Anne’s Lace were my favorites when I was a child. Beautiful pictures, beautiful memories.
Thank you on the “beautiful pictures” and I am glad to have helped to bring back “beautiful memories.” It works that way for me too.
The white umbel is not Queen Anne’s Lace. It’s Poison Hemlock. One of the most poisonous plants in the US. They look very similar but a deadly mistake to an untrained eye. Everyone, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with properly identifying poison hemlock and queen Anne’s lace.
I agree that more detailed pictures of the stems and leaves would be most ideal for further identification. But…when in doubt, leave it out! Based on the petal shape and bracket arrangement, I believe it to be poison hemlock.
It is also not cow parsley, again because of the petal shape and flower brackets.
Also not wild parsnip. Wild parsnip has yellow flowers.
Thank you! Take care!
Great set of images! One of your best posts.
Thank you Ernie! I see you are partial to flowers.
Great pictures and descriptions. We call the pretty purple flowers, just that… “pretty purple flowers”.
Thanks for sharing.
These are great. When the winter comes, I’ll look back on these and think of summer. My favorites were the lupines–so vibrant!
All the flower images are beautiful but the Lady’s Slipper brought back memories of these flowers in Mom’s gardens … haven’t seen them in a million years! Love, love, love the Lupines!
The first photograph is a prelude to the beauty of Maine and the flowers allows one to bask in this beauty. Absolutely gorgeous photograph; only thing missing is the aroma.
.
I was going to say that I think the purple flower is phlox, but I see that someone else already identified it for you. They grow wild here in New York, too.
I’ve enjoyed your lady slipper, especially. It’s a beauty. I think they may grow in NY, but I’ve never seen one myself. I’ve enjoyed all your photos here, and will follow your link for the others.
I bet you do have Lady Slippers in NY. They are just not very common. Glad you are enjoying my photography.
Beautiful! I love wildflowers.
Thanks. Have grown Lupins at home many times – these are breathtaking.
the white umbel is not queen anne’s lace/wild carrot. it might be a yarrow, but need to see the leaf and higher mag of blossom.
great pictures I believe the purle flowers are phlox. Thanks for sharing
the purple “phlox” looking flower is Dame’s Rocket or Hesperus. It is as member of the phlox family
I grew up in New Brunswick, bordering Maine. It was real treat to see these familiar wildflowers. Thanks!
The pretty purple flower is called phlox, also has a lovely smell. Your pictures are beautiful ..thank you for sharing and having come to Maine to enjoy our beautiful state
it is called purple violet
Love your images and wildflower in Maine information!
HI, Your purple flowers are phlox. They’re all around the front of the old farmhouse we live in. 😉