20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Intertwining of plants in the spring

When in my thirties, I was introduced to the idea of plant colonization. Over the years on numerous trips through the Midwestern landscape, I began to notice how groups of plants, both grasses and forbs formed large colonies. When I finally returned to art through photography, I began to notice miniature or beginning versions of these colonies on my walks through the countryside around our home. I began to think about and photograph not only colonization, but the intertwining of individuals or ramets and the beauty offered by these plant relationships.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Fairfield, Iowa, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS R
Copyright: © Steve Prettyman