Magnolias are the Southern belle of trees–steely, proud and enduring. With charming appeal and unforgettable fragrance, their beautiful exterior masks a complicated interior, full of life and secrets worth discovering.
When I close my eyes and quiet my mind, fragmented childhood memories struggle to surface–playing underneath the cover of a thousand-foot-tall, thousand-year-old magnolia. Low-lying branches, tangled and gnarled, rival a Hogwartsian staircase.
Cradled in secure branches, I remember "peeling" the bloom when it was just a velvet pod; in so doing, robbing it of life and the world of one more touch of beauty. Children are indifferent that way; seldom do they understand the consequences of selfish, self-indulgent action.
Two young magnolia trees stand sentry at our neighborhood’s main
entrance. Every day I’ve watched with delight as blossoms take turns
unfurling their milky petals, reminding me of fragile ornaments on a
Christmas tree.
I finally made an appointment with the twin magnolias; they begged to have their portraits made. When I began clicking image after digital image, I realized I wasn’t alone–the blooms were very much alive with activity! Bees were buzzing all around, busy about their business but having so much fun! They’d navigate space between each petal and roll around in [whatever that stuff is in the pictures] before flying out with legs dusted in pollen (reminiscent of toddlers in a ball pit at your nearby Chuck E. Cheese). These black and yellow fuzzies held me prisoner; I was so enchanted by their machinations, I almost forgot why I was taking pictures in the first place.
A l m o s t ;).
I’m adding this to Carmi’s Thematic Photographic for this week; his current theme is "nature". He’d love for you to join him, so visit Written Inc. for complete details.
These photos – and your immensely rich descriptions and memories – encompass the circle of life theme that touches so much of who I am.
I grew up way to the north, and my flowers looked very different than these gorgeous ones. But your recollections took me to a place in the mountains north of Montreal, and a feeling that anything was possible as I wandered through a remote meadow filled with riotously colored flowers that painted my eyes and my nose with sights and smells that I can practically feel as I type this.
Thank you for ensuring Thematic Photographic touches folks who appreciate it for what it is: another way to get in touch with the little things that matter most.
Great minds think alike – again! I ran this series on the life cycle of a magnolia in July! http://photoblog.myhomesweethomeonline.net/2008/07/08/wordless-wednesday-life-cycle-of-a-magnolia/
… gorgeous, all!
Beautiful photos!
Lovely words. Beautiful photos. Brilliant title.
Oh.my.gosh. These photos are outstanding. Very nice captures. Do you have a macro lens? We have a beautiful magnolia tree in our backyard. AND our neighborhood is called “Magnolia.” True!
BTW, when you have a minute, I have an award waiting for you at Chrysalis. :~D
Oooh – makes me miss Georgia 🙁
Gorgeous photos!
My husband wants to chop down our big magnolia because it’s so messy. I’ve threatened divorce if he does.
Fantabulous! I grew up in Florida and loved magnolias. I miss them up here in Minnesota (where they’re possible, I guess, but rare).
“Cradled in secure branches, I remember “peeling” the bloom when it was just a velvet pod; in so doing, robbing it of life and the world of one more touch of beauty. Children are indifferent that way; seldom do they understand the consequences of selfish, self-indulgent action.”
You know, that’s true about kids:>) But, in some ways I think this is necessary to fuel our curiosity and love of nature. If it were an animal, no. Or even an exceedingly rare plant. But I think the decimation of a few blooms is a small price to pay for an enduring awe of nature!
I’m really loving this post, Robin!! If I can figure out StumbleUpon, I’m going to give you some stumblelove. 🙂
The pictures are great – have you taken photography classes, or are you self-taught?
Foud your blog on Blog Nosh, I’m glad I did. I really enjoyed reading your blog, ane your dictionm is entrancing!
Nicole
http://www.mommy-vine.com
Beautiful photographs. I needed that today. Thanks.
Beautiful series here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a magnolia before – awesome!
I love magnolias too.
Like my picture of a M. Grandiflora?
http://mark-lawton.com/growing-magnolias-successfully/
This is from our garden in the summer 2009.
I am also adding more magnolia pictures later on.
Thanks for looking,
Mark Lawton (UK)