Northern Blazing Star is one of the endangered plants that earned the Kennebunk Plains their protected status. It is certainly a striking plant, and, of course, well worth preserving here in Maine. And worth a second post (I featured the plant on Monday).

This shot is of buds about to open. I like the pattern of closed bud, and I like the fur catching the light on the stems.

The second shot, on the other hand, is the flower full open. Note the range of subtle hues.

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1 EV exposure compensation.  32mm macro equivalent, 1) f4 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 100. 2) f4.5@ 1/1250th @ ISO 100.

Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.