Mar 082010
I don’t think the camellias and hellebores will last much longer as the weather warms. So I thought a Macro Monday post showing off their gorgeous stamens was appropriate.
Don’t forget, in this new format, the photos are smaller than at Victory Garden Redux (and quicker to load), but if you miss that detailed view, you may click directly on any shot to get a full-sized view. (Numbers one, two, and five are especially worth the trouble, in my opinion.)
I wonder, are the stamens of both types of blossoms so prominent and dramatic as an added incentive for the rare few pollinators available in late winter?
For more beautiful and mysterious Macro Monday shots of our fascinating world in tight focus, visit Lisa’s Chaos.
PDF 46 Responses to “stamen love”
Comments (46)
Just beautiful, Meredith. Camellias are a winter gift, aren’t they? My grandmother had one at the front cover of her house in Macon. When I drove by the house (now someone else’s) in December, there it was – still blooming…
Lynn´s last blog ..On the way, Pollyanna and jewelry swap
That’s a beautiful way of putting it, Lynn: a winter gift. I have a much more sentimental attachment to camellias because of those childhood memories, such as you made at your Grandmother’s home.
Lovely detail in these macros.
Thank you, Kala!
Lovely close ups. Spring is much further on with you than with us – here the hellebores are just on the point of opening
Anna´s last blog ..Fringe Benefits
I’m glad you liked them, Anna. Sounds like ou’ll soon be enjoying the hellebores up close and personal, yourself.
I do love viewing the stamens and anthers of plants. They are so beautiful heavily laden with pollen.
“The poetry of reproduction,” I believe someone once called them. (Can’t remember who now.) I agree, Noelle, that they are beautiful.
goodness, these are beautiful!
xo
I’m happy you liked them, Christina.
Beautiful photos, I love camellias, too bad they cannot grow where we live, it’s too cold for them.
mac´s last blog ..Harvest Monday – March 8, 2010
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, mac. I guess then I’m happy you got to enjoy them from afar…
Just gorgeous photos. You take great pictures and have great flowers too. I am glad I found your blog. I have enjoyed exploring it. We are still in snow around here in upstate NY. makes spring all the sweeter!
Thanks for the compliment on the photos, Teresa. I’m afraid I cannot take credit for the flowers, however. I grow a potager-style vegetable garden at our temporary rental digs here — and take pictures everywhere I go. All of these shots came from the SC Botanical Gardens, which I visit so much I sometimes don’t remember to mention in my posts (it gets old).
Your macro shots are outstanding.
Muhammad Khabbab @ Garden Geek´s last blog ..Macro Monday – Spring delight
Muhammad, thank you so much!
Stunning photos, Meredith. I think you might be right about the prominent stamens being an incentive. The blooms are so delicate and beautiful – I can’t wait for May and to see our local area explode with some life and colour again.
Talon´s last blog ..The Sound of Color
Thanks, Talon. It does seem like there must be a reason for the stamens to have become so dramatic like that…
Spring is unfolding across the continent now, like a slow shadow of palest green; it will reach you soon!
beautiful to see macros of these beauties!
Tammie´s last blog ..Nature’s Art
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Tammie.
Dear Meredith, All of your pictures always look impressive to me. Yes, it is rather sad to think that very shortly the hellebores will be over for another year. But think what is to come!
Thank you for all of your messages. It is a great pleasure to pick your postings which I enjoy immensely. Please do not think that you have to keep sending messages of thanks. The pleasure is mine.
Edith Hope´s last blog ..Ladders, Loppers and Lawsuits
I can’t say I’m really sad about the hellebores going, Edith. We’re entering the pivotal moment in the season when a sort of momentum takes hold and it’s so hard to be sad about something finishing — when so much else is waiting to take its place.
They are the most fascinating thing, seen close up aren’t they? What would a flower be, without stamens?
Jay, aren’t there some flowers without stamens? I have to admit I never considered it before! Surely, though, the reproductive organs of flowers are a sight to behold — especially to winter-sore eyes.
These are just sooooooo beautiful! My hellebores are still sleeping under the snowdrift, and we are lacking in camellias, of course. So I’m savouring your macros and waiting patiently for the snow to recede.
jodi (bloomingwriter)´s last blog ..The Orchid Show: "All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up."
Jodi, thank you for the kind words. Soon you’ll be enjoying their lovely, shy presences in your garden… it’s almost as if the flowers lives are prolonged along the latitudes.
These are all very beautiful Miss Meredith The hellebores are yummy
hugs, Cherry
Thanks, Cherry.
Hi Meredith
I always looked forward your macro photos on your other blog. Those little stamens are just so laden with pollen awaiting their furry little visitors to come and spread some pollen love around the rest of the garden. Thats one lovely hellebore in the last photo.
I’m glad you like the photos, Rosie. Pollen love is sure to come along next on this blog, maybe in a month or so when the pollen counts suddenly skyrocket.
How do you get stamens without bees and bugs? Mine always have ants, or bees, or some other critters on there. They seem drawn to that beauty, too.
Some of my camellias have not yet bloomed. I expect the season to last at least to the first of April before heat takes them out, based on prior years.
Nell Jean´s last blog ..Pretty in Pink: Native Azaleas of the Coastal Plain II
Nell, it’s funny you should ask that: when I was going through the shots, most of them were discarded because of spiders, ants, or other insects, some of which were so tiny I had not even noticed them at the time of snapping the pic. Especially the camellias are plagued by ants. I think I take a lot of photos of stamens.
These were just the cream of the crop.
Meredith you angel, thank you for you comment yesterday when I thought I was going mad. The fact that you did Tonglen practive for me, it makes me feel so honoured and a quite teary. I am very interested in Buddhism but can’t partake in mediation as my sub conscious is very badly damaged and I have been advised my 2 practicitioners to leave it.
Thank you so much xx
Carrie´s last blog ..Reclaiming my Bloomin’ Monday!
You’re definitely not going mad, Carrie. You were just having a bad moment; so glad you restaked your territory today with the bloomin’ Monday post.
I’ve never even heard of that, that you might be advised to leave for health reasons. That makes me sad. 
But I do know that each of us is on a unique path, and you’re on the right one for you, no matter what!
The white with the stamens hanging down? That is stupendous. I can’t help with any of your questions, tho. I only know beautiful photos.
Andree´s last blog ..My World: The Eastman Falls Dam
Andree, I appreciate the compliment so much. I’m new to a passion for photography — and loving every minute of it!
I love macro shots of hellebores! They are such a charming flower that is so easily overlooked!
Sheila´s last blog ..Results of Rain
Sheila, I love the way they seem to duck their faces and hide, peeking shyly up at you.
And yes, it is easy to miss them. I took a shot of a whole bunch of them on a hillside, and they almost disappeared into the landscape.
Very pretty, Meredith. Love the hellebores especially.
Well, thank you, Grace. You are very kind.
Wow, those are gorgeous! Glad you got some last shots of them before it really heats up
Spring in the South only seems to last for 3 weeks, and then it’s sweltering O_O
Kyna Adams´s last blog ..The Magical Mystery Tour Is Coming To Take You Away…
LOL, Kyna. I don’t think of it as really “heating up” until June. But if you’re from elsewhere, like my honey F. or you, for instance, I know that May (and sometimes April) marks the beginning of uncomfortable.
Glad you liked the shots!
Very pretty post! Also, I really like your new blog design. It looks wonderful and easy to navigate. Header is beautiful.
Amy/GoAway,I’mGardening´s last blog ..Amy’s Lawn Care Experiment
Thank you, Amy. I really appreciate the compliments. To be honest with you, I’m still not entirely happy with the design and plan on playing with it a bit more. Maybe blogs are like gardens, though, forever in need of tweaking.
Each one is beautiful in its own way! I love how detailed they are!
lisaschaos´s last blog ..Ruddy Turnstone
I’m glad you see it that way, Lisa. That’s how I try to remember to view the whole world, and all the people in it!