Flowers for Friday – lavendar rhododendron
Last weekend, our rhododendron bush bloomed.
When I look at this photo and I see the fanciful curve of the pistil and stamens and the curved shadows that they cast, I see a fairytale decoration. Perhaps the chandelier in the ballroom made of delicately blown glass. Or the crown for the princess.
I tried taking pictures from different angles.
I find it interesting that the flowers can look so different from one angle…
… or from a different angle.
I really like this radial view.
While I was outside, I noticed a whole bunch of buzzing insects. If I could’ve captured the sound and the movement for you, I would’ve.
This little bee is determined that the lady with the camera is not going to deter him from Getting That Flower.
(He’s in the lower, middle portion of the pic)
And see, he did Get That Flower.
But why go for one that is barely opened?
Perhaps no other bees had gotten to it yet?
Did I mention that I’m still a bit afraid of stinging insects? Yeah, so although I might’ve been able to go in for a real close up shot. I was a bit timid.
They were fun to watch though, busy little bees, crawling all over the stamens and pistils…
… “pollinating the beauty,” as La Pixiatrix once said.
All pictures were taken with my Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P71.
jenski says:
I’m usually a big fan of fantasy, but that first picture reminds me of the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream of all things…And that was written by Shakespeare so does it really count as fantasy-esque?
Closet Metro says:
Gorgeous shots, as usual. Happy Friday!!
La Pix says:
I love those Rhododendron pistils and stamens too! They are lovely shapes – when I see them I always think of tiny, long imaginary flute-tuba-obo Dr. Suessy instruments.
Yesterday morning I tried to photograph a bumblebee but it was moving too fast for me from bush to bush, and I was LATE for work already.
The way work went yesterday, I should have stayed behind and pollinated some beauty with the bees.
AARGH. TGIF.
Squirl says:
Beautiful rhododendron pictures.
honestyrain says:
the third and last are my faves. beautiful photos, D.
Amber says:
Stunning, stunning, stunning. This is by far my favorite set of flower pictures. The flowers kind of remind me of the Wizard of Oz movie. And little dancing fairies. Such a delightful image in my mind. Happy Friday!
And by the way, it’s neither. But I think you’ll like what was inside:
Hot CHOCOLATE.
mmmm
Amber says:
(continued…I accidently hit “Post” before I was done)
When I saw your comment, I said to Andy, “That must be a Danielle comment. TEA.”
I love tea, but we are currently out of stock. Gotta get some more. Been running on hot chocolate for the last few days….
Danielle says:
That’s what it is! (or at least one of the things it reminds me of – the little girl fairy munchkins in the Wizard of Oz with the curled flower headpiece. I think they are part of that welcoming song and are hiding amongst the flowers.
I might have to pull the movie out and watch it.
and mmmmmm chooooocolate.
LadyBug says:
Lovely pics, as usual, Danielle.
poopie says:
OOOhhhh…Danielle! Not only are the pics excellent but your descriptions were heavenly.