Funny Halloween: Mystery Flora: Water, Lily » En Tequila Es Verdad

When you’re doing intensive geology in a group, it’s hard to slow down and photograph the flowers. But I got ye a magnificent one: a single lily on the banks of the McKenzie River, right before it plunges over Koosah Falls. I scrambled down as close as I could safely get and started snapping frantically.

Mystery Flower I

Usually, shooting a difficult subject from a tricky distance in variable light with a wildly churning background would mean only a few usable photos out of the bunch. But every single one has a different enchantment about it. So you’re getting the lot. I hope you’re as fascinated by the shapes wild water takes as I am.

Mystery Flower II

The colors at this portion of the river are always incredible: a lovely spectrum of blues and greens, white and clear, all blending in wonderful patterns that change with each second.

Mystery Flower III

And then there are the waves, changing the shape of the water from one instant to the next.

Mystery Flower IV

This next photo was taken a split-second after the above, as my camera tried to compensate for strange light. The water has changed almost completely.

Mystery Flower V

ZOMG, the colors. Wow.

And then you get photos where it almost looks like our flower is surfing a Hawaiian wave.

Mystery Flower VI

Oh. Right. Flower. Got wrapped up in the water… Anyway, I did attempt to get some close-up shots of the flower so you would have an easier time with identification.

Mystery Flower VII

The tree made a pretty good backdrop- good contrast, there.

Mystery Flower VIII

Here you can see just about the whole flower, including leaves. Those leaves should help out a great deal. And if you found that one too easy, there are some bonus mystery flowers at bottom. See?