Monday, June 15, 2009

what remains


solo post - L , click image to see it better

I caught the magnolias on the down swing – they really only stay at their most pristine for a day. Many of the blossoms had turned their creamy tan, which is really quite nice to me, some where various stages of opening – purple-bottomed stamen collecting in the petals. But most had lost the petals all together and what remained was the seed pod – still a thing of beauty in my eyes. The pod has a soft fuzzy lime green head with black curly "stigmas" I looked that up) and a bright purple "receptacle" ( I looked that up, too), all attached to the beautifully soft brown stem. Of course these go on to form fruit and become beautiful in the winter with their red berries. I just had to pull one off now and bring it indoors to scan.

15 comments:

georgia b. said...

i love what you've done with these shots! i agree—the seed pod is just as beautiful as the whole flower! what a treat to see a part of the magnolia that we don't normally see in photos—and so beautifully displayed and photographed. lovely post, L.

d smith kaich jones said...

And the smell! I pass the magnolia tree in the front yard and I am whisked away by the perfume. And ditto the seed pods. Beautiful.

:) Debi

emily said...

beautiful pics, and when I read you take photos with your iphone, wow! any tips you have for getting the most out of your iphone camera?

Gayle said...

I have never looked at a Magnolia seed pod up close. It is beautiful!

Char said...

love the magnolias and the seed pods - all the bits and pieces of this gorgeous flower are so interesting on their very own. a beautiful pairing

maz said...

That pod really is a work of art! Great post:)

SE'LAH... said...

magnolias look beautiful, smell beautiful and are just majestic flowers. When my daughter was 1, we planted a tree in our front yard. Birds get drunk on the red seed pods...funny to watch.

Thanks for sharing and evoking such wonderful memories.

p.s. playing catch up on your blog. thanks for bearing with me as I try to juggle all aspects of life.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots...there are some beautiful magnolias close to us at a National Trust property called Lanhydrock.

Woman in a Window said...

Magnolias...the stuff of movies and apparently, blogs. Never with my own eyes.

ELK said...

i do so relish the leaves as well...you know there is just so much to see and enjoy in this duet...thanks as always ...gosh we have been visiting each other awhile now...makes me smile!

Relyn Lawson said...

These images are so perfect. I can smell the magnolias. Oh, I do miss a good whiff of magnolia as I walk along.

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

Sweet magnolias.....I love their smell!

bichonpawz said...

Very cool images!! I love the editing you've done!

Gayle said...

Hi Leslye, I have an award for you on my blog. Stop by and pick it up when you get a chance!

Unknown said...

i just love the way in which the petals form a cup or a hand and hold the fine pollen inside.

footnote

The photos on the left are taken by me, Leslye, the mother. The photos on the right are taken by my daughter, Taylor – unless otherwise noted. Comments are always welcome. thanks
If you care to visit, I, Leslye, have another blog - AutumnSun where I ramble around different paths and pleasures of my own.