Superbloom
A Visual Ode to Nature's Bounty in the American West
On rare occasions, excess precipitation nurtures scores of flowers in otherwise harsh and arid landscapes. For this project, Mark Lisk scoured western deserts in search of these superblooms, traveling from from Idaho to Baja California and to inhospitable regions like Death Valley and the Mojave Desert. His dramatic photographs and lyrical descriptions capture the textural contrast of lacy flowers and furls against panoramic vistas of spiky cacti, bleached and twisted trees, and rugged rocks. Other stunning close-ups showcase intricate botanical structures like the dense whorls of beargrass and riotous colors not often seen in desertscapes. Notable compositions feature striking cloud formations and golden sunset-lit skies worthy of a Maxfield Parrish painting.
Superbloom represents extensive backwoods travel by foot to share rare images of flowering plants. Among these memorable shots are an early spring carpet of rosy sand verbena blooms poking out of rippled sand dunes and ancient Joshua trees pushing forth their heavy, waxy cascades of flowers. In their great detail, these images represent a useful reference for identifying ephemeral Western wildflowers and learning their delightful common names: owl’s clover, stinknet, fairy dusters, and brittlebush.
Superbloom is an enchanting photographic survey of the spectacular floral splendors that grace the West. It is a visual treat of luminous compositions by a dedicated, creative, and passionate artist.
Reviewed by
Rachel Jagareski
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
