Thursday, September 6, 2012

Revisitng the Queen

A few weeks back, I did a post about Queen Anne's Lace. It was earlier in the summer and the lovely blossoms were just emerging. Now, most have closed up shop for the season. Their dried out flower heads will remain through winter, catching frost and snow and I'm sure I'll snap a few of those images in the months to come. But for now, I'd just like to show a few photos of this lovely, simple flower during its last weeks of summer.


qal and bug
Early in July, the bloom is fresh and bright white. A tiny red bug can be seen exploring the ribs of the flower, seen from behind.




qal in sun
It's like a perfect little parasol, offering shelter from the sun.




qal into the sun
Each evening, I got into the habit of snapping photos of the lacy blooms.




qal and chicory
They're often seen sharing space with wild chicory - another favourite of mine.




qal unfolding
This is how they appear when they're first unfolding.




qal closing
But as the season progresses, some of them begin to close up shop. Their seeds deepen in colour to a lovely shade of pink.




qal closing3
You can see the tiny spikes which surround each of them. I suppose they eventually fall off and scatter, and they need to cling to something to take hold again for next year's growth.




qal sunset with flash
Sunset, during one of the earlier summer nights. I used my flash to illuminate this one and was surprised to see an insect clinging to the top of one of the stems.




sunset behind qal2
Side by side, Queen Anne's Lace and the closed buds of the Wild Chicory, make proud silhouettes against the colourful evening sky.

Thanks for revisiting the queen with me. Bows and curtsies are not required.

52 comments:

Rob-bear said...

Lovely laced pictures. (Lovely pictures laced with interesting observations.)

Thanks.

Kerry said...

Oh good! The queen Anne's lace pics that you promised, and they are gorgeous. Isn't it cool to discover insects in pictures of flowers?

stephen Hayes said...

That one picture of the flower rising above the chain link fence is breathtaking, as are most of your wonderful photos.

Dawning Inspiration said...

I'm in love with the first one... I think I saw my first Queen Anne's Lace in person a few weeks ago. It was a "drive by click" that didn't turn out too well. However, next year I know where to go to try and capture it!! Lovely images!

ADRIAN said...

You never cease to amaze.
These are well worthy of publication. They would make a superb calender or postcards for those of limited means.

Bob Bushell said...

They're beautiful, softness, delicacy and superb. I love 'em.

Brian Miller said...

oo i like the late season ones...the color is really cool...nice to see the progression in your pics as well...

Anonymous said...

So elegant and beautiful!

Tammie Lee said...

enchantingly beautiful

Dianne said...

the deeper color is stunning
nature called and says she wants you to be her official photographer :)

Liz Mays said...

I especially like the silhouette one!

Maggie May said...

The white and the blue make beautiful companions.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Daryl said...

so pretty ...

TexWisGirl said...

just love these!! the sunset w/ flash is my favorite, i think.

the first shot reminded me of that fair ride - the one that has the swirling circle seats all attached in a circle that spins. :)

Suldog said...

Yay! You taught me something today (which is not an easy task to accomplish.) I learned that those blue/purple flowers that grew all over my neighborhood during my youth were wild chicory. Thanks!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I have never seen her majesty in the seed process before. What a lovely color the seeds are and all those spikey things are very interesting as well. Thanks for an insight into the whole of the royal activity. OmaLinda

Out on the prairie said...

Lovely captures, it always catches my eye year round.I think of your fondness when I shoot them often.

CiCi said...

So lovely. You found a great way to show us the beautiful ending of summer.

Bows and curtsies.

Jayne said...

Though not required, Hilary, you definitely have my curtesy. ;)

Jayne said...

Curtsy!

MaggieGem said...

I've yet to run into these beauties in person.. your fabulous images show what I'm missing, great work!

Nadezda said...

Hilary, wonderful pics of deep pink seeds, they look like some little bugs!

Anita said...

That's some fancy photography. :)

I enjoyed my visit with the Queen and her sidekick, Chicory.

messymimi said...

Very inspiring, how it starts out a tangle and blooms into a tiny, perfect pattern. Life feels tangled up that way sometimes, but looking back, i do see the pattern in some of it.

Meri said...

Gorgeous shots!

Mental P Mama said...

Ohhhh these are gorgeous!

Rosaria Williams said...

How you photograph these beauties shows the intimacy and pleasure you feel. Love this.

Anonymous said...

They are so beautiful and your photos truly show them off. If we had any wild chicory this year, it didn't last long. It's one of my favorites now, too, although I didn't know what it was until you told me!

Ruth Hiebert said...

The pictures are beautiful. This is one of those plants that is just begging to have it's picture taken.

Gail Dixon said...

Love this flower in all stages; especially towards the end, when she adorns herself in pink. You really have a way of capturing this beautiful flower. Gorgeous!

Red said...

You do get surprises with this lens! What would happen if you started looking for insects to photograph?
I appreciate the info.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I've never noticed the pink spikey seed things before. Maybe no curtsey is necessary for the "queen," but I think that image deserves one. :)

yaya said...

These shots are amazing. I love the one with the red background..stunning! I do feel like I've just visited royalty!

Lisa Gordon said...

Hilary, these are gorgeous!
I'll never know why so many consider this a "weed."
Every stage is just wonderful.

Wendy said...

Your last pic is just beautiful! It was fun to watch the Queen unfold.
I'll curtsey anyway. LOL!

Cloudia said...

you teach, please & edify!

Aloha, Friend
from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^=

> < } } ( ° >

Dave said...

Those Queen Anne's Lace flowers look nice Hilary. You have enhanced them well with your macro-photos too - Dave

young-eclectic-encounters said...

Beautiful photo essay on one of my favorite flowers- I especially liked the one taken with the flash at sunset
Johnina

Kerri Farley said...

The kind of "Royalty" that lets you get UP CLOSE! LOVE these shots Hilary!!
That last one made me SWOON!

Anvilcloud said...

Another well-themed photo essay. Well done.

Rita said...

Don't they look perfect growing together! I love your photos, lady!! Even the spiky seeds are just mesmerizing! :)

photowannabe said...

I bow and curtsy to you Hilary.
These are stunning, breathtaking and some of my very favorites.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Beautiful as ALWAYS, Hilary. ♥

I like how the old lace begins to look like spiky-haired red bugs. :)

Leah J. Utas said...

Those final two shots are absolutely gorgeous.

lime said...

beautiful tribute to a simple but lovely wildflower. the closeup seed shot is jut stunning. love the silhouette too.

Jo said...

That played out like a life-cycle, very romantic and a little bittersweet. I saw this flower in a movie the other day (The Hunger Games) and thought of you and your last post!

Mage said...

More like an ode to the seasons. I love this tale of birth and rebirth through your photos. Thank you.

ellen abbott said...

I'm having to catch up here after my busy busy week. these are just beautiful.

Vagabonde said...

I am in awe! Your photos are stunning. You must have a great lens but of course your eyes make a difference too. It would be hard to chose a favorite but I especially like the photo with the wild chicory blooms – so natural.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Gorgeous shots- really love that last one!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Wow, so glad you revisited. All are fabulous.

Betty Manousos said...

unique beauty, colours, and tones.

just gorgeous!

big hugs!