Blossoms with a Twist
“A flower does not bloom for itself, but for the world. Do likewise.”
Matshona Dhliwayo
Each May here in the low country of South Carolina, our world is enhanced by the beauty and fragrance of budding magnolias. This year I was determined to capture some of these glorious specimens before their ephemeral nature caused them to disappear as always.
“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”
Georgia O’Keeffe
Interestingly, one of the challenges we face when shooting magnolias is the local deer population. For some reason deer are prone to chewing the blossoms that are within their reach. They don’t eat them, they just seem to enjoy the chew – much like we humans and gum. Of course, that means most of the remaining blossoms are above the heads of those who, like me, are trying to photograph them. Fortunately I was able to find several trees with blossoms taller than most of the deer but still within my reach.
“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.”
Gerard de Nerval
Creamy white petals, dark green leaves and popping yellow centers make the magnolia blossom a wonderful specimen for the eye or the lens. Sadly though, their beauty is extremely short-lived; based on my completely unscientific observation between 4 to 5 weeks. Perhaps this is one of the things that makes them so special.
“Though you watch the petals shrink and change colour, you cannot help treasuring them”
Munia Kahn
“I loved the flowers that die, I loved the charm of the sky.”
Ssantosh Kalwar
Like their human counterparts, aging magnolias have a special quality all their own. Their petals begin to brown, creating an entirely different look – one which I find equally beautiful. Eventually the falling leaves litter the ground beneath them, creating a gentle mulch and a weed barrier, both of which are good for the tree.
“Every flower returns to sleep with the earth.”
Suzy Kassem
While it may look like a new bud, the image above is a magnolia whose leaves have fallen, leaving behind only the blossom’s receptacle. (So named because it includes many stamens and pistils). Plant experts who study the evolution of flora believe the magnolia to be among the most primitive; some of the oldest fossil flowers discovered are similar to magnolia blossoms.
Those who know me know that although I treasure and admire a beautiful garden, I am totally inept in that area. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I so love the annual appearance of these lovely flowers – Mother Nature grows them all on her own with no help from me or anyone else. As usual, she knows exactly what she’s doing 🙂
WPC: Twisted
Amazing work!
Loved it ! 🙂
That was incomplete: happens to have been posted on a male steel magnolia like me’s birthday and would have claimed it was purposely done as a gift for me.
It was, I just forgot to send along the birthday wishes 🎂🎂
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😁😁
Also missed this one which is a pity as it happens to have been on this male steel magnolia’s
😊😊
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great post Tina….gorgeous shots..always love your words😜
Thanks April!
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This is always a place to come to find beauty, Tina. There are many challenges out there and I expect to still find you in the world of blogs. 🙂 🙂
Thanks Jo—you’ve captured perfectly my sentiments about your blog as well!
🙂 🙂
Lovely captures of the magnolias, Tina 🙂 Aptly titled too. My fav: petals with a twist. Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Thanks Mahesh—same to you!
What a beautiful magnolia gallery! So very lovely twist. 🙂
Thanks very much Amy – they’re such a lovely subject
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My very favorite spring flower and you have photographed them so beautifully, Tina.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Thanks so much Lisa – same to you!
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Be like the flower, bloom for others. Lovely quote Tina. I hope to see your weekly photo challenge even it will no longer available at WP.
Thanks Perpetua, I really liked that one too. I hope we find some way to run a photo challenge even without the help of the editors. We shall see.
Beautiful flowers and great captures. I think we may even have a few of these trees in the northeast.
Thanks K, you may indeed! Certainly in some of the beautiful botanical gardens up there.
Some people even have them in the homes. Looks like some magnolias can survive our winters without too much additional care.
Beautiful twists Tina and lovely look at a magnolia from flower to the end. Each stage just as beautiful as the one before. Just wish we could smell them at the same time – one day I suppose we’ll be able to.
Interesting Irene, you may be right! Thanks for stopping by
Magnificent Magnolia – what could be better. Lovely photos Tina 🙂
Thanks Andrew, they are definitely a gift of the season
Thanks Tina. Have a lovely weekend
Magnolia blossoms… is there any more definitive representation of the southern United States…. besides Kudzu, that is. >grin< Beautiful photos! Planning a trip to North Carolina in the fall, Asheville area.
Kudzu—-ugh!!! Thanks John, we love our magnolias down here. BTW there is a marvelous Chihully exhibit at the Biltmore Mansion this summer. Check it out if u have a chance Sent from my iPhone
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These are beautiful and we have a few in our neighborhood, but the California variety isn’t as fragrant. Magnolia is one of my favorite scents (I love the strong florals like plumeria, jasmine and night-blooming jasmine) plus they are all so beautiful for macro photography. Love your quotes, too, Tina. Feel free to link this post on Sunday Stills this Sunday (there is a link-up if you are interested.), “aroma” is the theme to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend. And enjoy your weekend!
Aroma? How perfect Terri! Will do
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I love how you captured each stage of the beauty of this flower
Thanks Nora, I just love them at any stage
These are wonderful Tina! The twists and curves in nature is the most inspiring of all. I love the clarity and detail in your photos.
Thanks very much Ms Zen. Nature is surely our finest artist
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Thank you ❤
Indeed, but I really enjoyed your photos 🙂
Beautiful images Tina, especially the first one!!
Thanks Anita!
Tina, these pics are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lav, glad you enjoyed
Amazing magnolia shots, Tina. Lovely to see some of them here, a bit different but crisp shots as usual. 4-5 weeks full bloom is a short time. But I guess they are not shy about putting their best look forward during this time to shine 😊🌼 You sound like you like to garden 😁
Thanks Mabel. I’m the farthest thing from a gardener there is! These are totally thanks to Mother Nature
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Lovely photos, magnolias are just so beautiful.
Thanks so much Amy, they really are quite something
Tina, such most beautiful images. As I know in general white blossoms are not easy to photograph. But you mastered it beautifully.
Thanks Cornelia, you’re right the dark/light combo is a bit of a challenge😊
Beautiful flowers, Tina! As for beauty in dying flowers, I too think there is, and feel it is somehow more precious than a flower ‘in its prime’.
Precious is a great way to describe it Anita. Thanks for visiting
Beautiful.
Thanks John
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Many thanks john
Magnolia flowers are the perfect choice. Beautiful captures Tina.
Thanks so much Maverick – they are such a beautiful blossom.
Magnolias look beautiful at all stages of life
I agree wholeheartedly Pauline!
Lovely magnolia shots, Tina. Didn’t realize that about the deer. No wonder it was always so hard to find good blooms. The composition of Beauty in Beige is quite appealing. Of course, I am imagining some of these in monochrome.
Thanks Jane – yep, just learned about it myself – explains a lot of things 🙂 With you on the monochrome – stay tuned!
I haven’t seen magnolias in a long time. thanks for sharing. 🙂
My pleasure Jim, happy to bring them back to you.
They are stunning flowers!
They surely are! Thanks for your visit and comment.
The photos are all beautiful, but the first one in the post with the petal in the background is A++. 🙂
Thanks so much Judy – A++ is hard to achieve 😀
Wonderful captures of the magnolias Tina, they are such beautiful flowers :o) xxx
I think so too Xenia, thanks!
Such great photos. I love them all.
Many thanks Bob
Petals with a twist is my second favourite, but Last Look is stunning, crisp and beautiful.
Pesky deer.
Thanks so much PS!
So beautiful, Tina. Even the decaying flowers have a beauty of their own.Fantastic photo’s!
Thanks so much Dina – I agree with you about the dying blooms
Very nice captures and interesting post on the Magnolia blossoms, Tina. I love to see them peeking out all over in so many places.
Me too Ellen! Thanks for stopping by
Stunningly beautiful. I love the magnolia tree for its elegance and gracefulness, as it holds those beautiful flowers high for all to see. It looks like a tree filled with prom wishes, for the are like corsages in the trees.
They absolutely are, what a wonderful analogy!