Tall Tumblemustard

To capture the fascinating life cycle of Tall Tumblemustard, start by setting your camera to a time-lapse mode in late spring. This species is one of the fastest 'bolters' in the backyard; a photo taken every four hours will showcase the plant's transformation from a flat green rosette to a five-foot-tall branched skeleton in just a matter of weeks. Position your camera on a low tripod to get a 'worm's eye view' of the stem as it ascends toward the sky.

During the flowering stage in early summer, the pale yellow blooms attract a variety of small pollinators including hoverflies and cabbage white butterflies. To photograph these visitors, use a high-speed trigger setting. Because the plant's branches are very thin and act like springs in the wind, you will need a fast shutter speed (at least 1/500s) to avoid motion blur. Focus your lens on the terminal clusters at the very ends of the branches, as this is where the most insect activity occurs.

The real challenge and reward come in the autumn. To capture the 'tumbleweed' in action, place your camera near a boundary like a chain-link fence or a line of shrubs where wind-blown debris naturally accumulates. Use a wide-angle lens and set your motion trigger to 'High' to capture the plant as it rolls into frame. This provides a unique perspective on the plant's movement that is rarely seen in standard botanical photography. Avoid using a flash at night during the dry phase, as the straw-colored branches are highly reflective and can easily overexpose the shot.