Saturday, January 5, 2013

Follow the Sun

Let's revisit late summer, shall we?

Why?

Partly because I still have some photos (these, and many more) which I've never shown you and I think you might like them. And also because the days are beginning to get longer here in the northern hemisphere and that makes me think of summer's flowers following the sun.

These images are of three kinds of sunflowers. One smaller blossom was doing quite well when I snapped it in September but the large-headed classic sunflower was beginning to show signs of season's end. The tall-growing Jerusalem Artichoke only begins blooming in mid September so they were very much in their prime. I hope you enjoy this cheery splash of yellow.


sunflower2
And the yellow sunflower by the brook, in autumn beauty stood. ~ William Cullen Bryant




sunflower4
With zealous step he climbs the upland lawn,
And bows in homage to the rising dawn;
Imbibes with eagle eye the golden ray,
And watches, as it moves, the orb of day.
~ Erasmus Darwin




sunflower droop2
But one, the lofty follower of the Sun,
Sad when he sets, shuts up her yellow leaves
Drooping all night; and, when he warm returns,
Points her enamoured bosom to his ray.
~ James Thomson




sunflower head
The author O. Henry taught me about the value of the unexpected. He once wrote about the noise of flowers and the smell of birds - the birds were chickens and the flowers dried sunflowers rattling against a wall.
~ Chuck Jones




sunflower head2
The gaudy leonine sunflower
Hangs black and barren on its stalk
And down the windy garden walk
The dead leaves scatter - hour by hour
~ Oscar Wilde




sunflower head3
We're All Golden Sunflowers Inside.
~ Allen Ginsberg





jerusalem artichoke
Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men and animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock.
~ Henry Ward Beecher





jerusalem artichoke3
Light-enchanted sunflower, thou
Who gazest ever true and tender
On the sun's revolving splendour.
~ Pedro Calderon de la Barca





jerusalem artichoke2
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do.
~ Helen Keller





jerusalem artichoke closeup
As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets,
The same look which she turn'd when he rose.
~ Thomas Moore

60 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

I always see happiness when I see this family and find different perspectives to catch their beauty.

Cloudia said...

Visual Jazz!

The hallelujah-shouting trio just blew my mind.

Aloha
from Honolulu,
Comfort Spiral
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Cloudia said...

The Ante-penultimate one !

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, Hilary! I've always loved Sunflowers as a kid because they are so positive, and evoke such radiance! How do you wed such incredible quotations to these photos? Amazing that I finally noticed this! Have a wonderful weekend!! :)

ADRIAN said...

These warmed me up over my breakfast.
Grand flowers.

Andy said...

Hilary I'm glad you posted the photos. Flowers make me dream about the warmer days ahead.

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Gorgeous.. I needed that!

Brian Miller said...

ah, lovely....really nice close ups...all the different textures of the flower....each adding a layer of beauty...smiles...happy saturday to you

Nadezda said...

Hilary, third to last photo is stunning! Bright blue and bright yellow, the dream of warm days.

ellen abbott said...

Love the close ups of the seed head. We have (what I call) field sunflowers that bloom late spring to late fall. They get 10 - 15 feet tall.

Mental P Mama said...

Love these! And I love those giant sunflowers...they make me so happy!

DJan said...

Beautiful! I especially enjoyed gazing at the bokeh in some of those pictures; it adds so much to the experience. I'm learning from you, Hilary! :-)

Red said...

Awesome choice of poetry to go along with the sunflowers. I had to stop and look at these a bit before I went on.

TexWisGirl said...

just wonderful. there is something so touching about a sunflower head hanging down. it's 'beauty' is long gone, but it's bounty is just beginning.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

These are so beautiful. I especially liked the one looking up at the flowers against the perfect blue sky, but they'r all just amazing. I loved TexWisGirl's comment, too. I think there's a little poet in that girl.

Anvilcloud said...

In your case, the expression "Holy Mackerel" becomes "Holy Macro" and sometimes even "Wholly Macro." Well done.

ds said...

Just beautiful, Hilary. Words and photos both. They bring such warmth to this cold day. Thank you. A very Happy New Year to you and yours.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

what a delight for my eyes on a cold January day. The light enchanted sunflower picture makes me feel so warm..and look forward to enjoying sunflowers again. I gather the petals of the ones that grow in our fairy garden and put them in herbals during the winter for the same reason...the sunny color and the hopefulness they convey. Thanks so much, Oma Linda

Friko said...

We can but dream . . . . . . .

Shaun said...

Those photos are so beautiful. I do like the macro of the bud after all the petals have dropped. Very good work.

Mage said...

I'm in need of new photographs and will take sick G to stay warm in the truck while I get a few shots. Thanks for the cheery yellow smiles today.

messymimi said...

A smile of sunshine on a cloudy January day.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Sunflowers are cheery and at least in my area don't get the appreciation they deserve. We see many fields of them and therefore,I don't often stop to get pictures.That must change.

L. D. said...

Your photos are so pristine clear and well composed. I am glad to see them on this cold winter day.

L. D. said...

Your photos are so pristine clear and well composed. I am glad to see them on this cold winter day.

L. D. said...

Your photos are so pristine clear and well composed. I am glad to see them on this cold winter day.

L. D. said...

Your photos are so pristine clear and well composed. I am glad to see them on this cold winter day.

Gail Dixon said...

Sunflowers always make me smile. These are no different. The upside down one is my favorite if I may choose one. :) The Beecher quote is so true!

lime said...

what i love most about these shots is the way you have gotten the texture of the petals and the centers. just amazing.

The Retired One said...

beautiful images..loved these!

Dave said...

Large sunflowers can be unashamedly bold in the way that they stand upright with a slight bow of the head, and face the world - Dave

Indrani said...

Beautiful in all stages of its life. Great shots, particularly the one against the blue sky.

Anonymous said...

Oh, so cheerful and gloriously happy! Wonderful shots.

Dianne said...

you know, flowers tell each other about you

Lynne with an e said...

While it's wonderful to be reminded of warmer days I must admit that I am in love with the image of the spent and dissipated sunflower underlined with the words from Oscar Wilde.

Kat said...

Flowers make me so happy, these beautiful are so friendly looking. Love it. Makes me yearn for spring. :)

Wendy said...

Lovely cheerful yellow! Your pics are astounding in their clarity and simplicity. So nice to warm up a cold January day.
I have a post that's been brewing since last spring. Perhaps it's time I got up from the couch and published it.

Thanks for sharing your summer's bounty with us.
Hugs

Anonymous said...
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Liz Mays said...

When I look at your photos, I feel like my soul is nurtured a little bit as if I'm actually outdoors. I love how you are able to do that through your images. Fantastic work!

Daryl said...

truly the sturdiest yet most delicate looking flower ...

Slamdunk said...

Argh, blogger is not cooperating with me this morning--commenting or page loads. I'll have to drop back by to see the pics, but am all for posts that cheer spring and summer into the present. My thoughts are that way as well. Enjoy your Monday Hilary.

Russell said...

Always enjoy stopping by and feeling the warmth of your photographs.

Nothing is more regal than a golden yellow sunflower with a rich blue sky backdrop.

Take care.

Pauline said...

There is something so determinedly cheerful about sunflowers that I smile every time I see one. Lovely shots, all!

Suldog said...

Lovely, as always. You make any subject interesting. I envy your talent with a camera.

sandyland said...

quite a perspective

Betty Manousos said...

wow!! what exquisite series of photos!

stunning macros and bokeh.
your photos always make me haooy dear hilary!

big hugs~

Tammie Lee said...

such a beautiful sunny post!

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I just noticed a few days ago that it was staying light a tiny bit later these days.
The fourth-from-last photograph is my favorite with that incredible bokeh!

SandyCarlson said...

These are just great, Hilary. Thanks for this summer respite. It was much needed.

NitWit1 said...

Just dropping by to see your beautiful work. Have and to slow down blogging and reading to concentrate on health issues which are slowly resolving themselves with professional consults.

Sunflowers remind me of my Mother who was originally from Kansas, whose state flower is the Sunflower.

When we traveled to South Dakota 2 years ago, I realized what a source of healthy oils and seeds the flower must be from the acres and acreas of planted fields.

Gillian Olson said...

Thanks for the sunny post, great views of this beautiful flower.

Merisi said...

Ah, summer, beautiful, now that we can start dreaming again of longer, warmer days to come! Thank you for the memories, Merisi

Lisa Gordon said...

Hilary, these are truly so beautiful, and such a reminder of a summer I am missing so much now.

You have also inspired me to get to my photographs from last summer. There are so many of them I need to go through, hopefully before spring arrives.

Happy day to you!

photowannabe said...

Spectacular!!
I love Sunflowers. they always make me feel happy.
Your shots of the underside of the blossoms are stunning.
I love Allen Ginsberg's quote that we are all Golden Sunflowers Inside...yup that's me. I think there is more to me than first meets the eye.
Look at all that detail in that closeup of the flower going to seed. Amazing.

Anonymous said...

So bright and beautiful! I love the variety of your photos!

Reena said...

Oh Hilary these are so beautiful and needed during this January month. Happy New Year! And thank you for that POTW.

Kerry said...

Lovely lovely lovely.

holdingmoments said...

These are beautiful Hilary.
Really brighten a dull day here in England.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Hi Hilary, These are all so lovely-- especially the sunflowers and that cute raccoon in the tree.

Happy New Year! xo jj

Mage said...

I love your sun flowers. Nice stuff.