Rediscovering John Muir's Botanical Legacy
In Nature's Beloved Son John Muir's botanic samples are brought to life with compelling historical accounts and expert photography
8 Plant: Moss Pink (Phlox subulata L.)
Habitat: Ontario, Canada
Collected: 1865 Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
7 Plant: California Polypody (Polypodium californicum Kaulf.)
Habitat: Sierra Nevada, California
Collected: 1875 Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
6 Plant: Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.)
Habitat: Indiana
Collected: 1867 Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
5 Plant: Sand Myrtle (Leiophyllum buxifolium Elliott)
Habitat: Grandfather Mountain, western North Carolina
Collected: 1898 Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
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4 Plant: Five Spot (Nemophila maculata Benth)
Habitat: above Yosemite Valley, Sierra Nevada, California
Collected: 1907 Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
3 Plant: Northern Primrose (Primula borealis Duby)
Habitat: Point Hope, Alaska
Collected: 1881 Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
AFTER: The end result of three to 24 hours of digital manipulation in Photoshop is a sample free of evidence from tape and glue. Broken branches and leaves were carefully re-created. Colors and contrasts were also enhanced while trying to remain true to the original plant specimens... Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
BEFORE: An example of an original scan of one of John Muir's botany samples. Bonnie Gisel embarked on a treasure hunt for Muir's botany specimens that took her all over the U.S. The fragile plant specimens were carefully digitally scanned... Photographs copyright © 2008 Stephen J. Joseph
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