Flower Prayer

Photograph Story | Flower Prayer

The flower prayer photographs are some of my favorite captures. I left my home in Arizona early one Sunday morning, heading to an area in Tucson known for dragonflies flying around.

Upon arriving, the parking lot was completely empty. I hopped out of my car and walked toward the signs outlining the trails and walking areas near the marsh. On my way to the signs, I crossed paths with two rattle snakes, as they slithered away from the sidewalk. After looking up from the sign, I watched a bobcat cross the parking lot and disappear on the trail ahead! I have an adventurous spirit, but felt I had seen a bit too much wildlife in the first five minutes after leaving my car.

I decided to head to a new location where flowers were blooming. Knowing ideal light was quickly fading, I wanted to return home with at least one or two photographs from my outing. As luck would have it, this praying mantis was waiting for me. Sitting on a flower.

At this time, the soft morning light was completely gone and Arizona was heating up. The temperature at 11:30 am was in the high 90's. I spent nearly 45 minutes watching and photographing this praying mantis, thankful for each gentle breeze that came through. Although the breeze felt amazing, the true benefit was the flower swaying beneath the open shade of a nearby tree long enough to capture a photograph with softer light.

Over the years, I have found myself in this situation more than once. Heading out to capture a certain subject or photograph, only to find myself leaving the initial location empty handed. I now operate with the mindset of patience and exploration. If stop number one leaves me without inspiration or feels unsafe, I venture somewhere new. Stop two or three rarely disappoint.