It’s A Rose

An early morning find – an African Rose bloom beneath our Guava tree. A perfect excuse to practice macro photography.

 

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Did You Just Say It’s All White?

Sometimes I wish I could stay in a nicer place where everything I see is white! It may be a blanket of white flowers or some fluffy cotton candy clouds that put a smile on my face….always. There are times when loneliness creeps in (can’t be helped) like a  steady rhythm that beats and works  its way into the innermost fiber of your being. There are times when being alone is most magnified  and you tend to see things like you’ve never seen  before. I am always grateful though that my little garden gives me a sense of peace and belonging, an uncomplaining companion that does not say, “you never have time”. Believe me, if I am well enough to stay in the sun for long, I will. Things are not the same now unlike three years ago. The effect of medications and chemotherapy has left me a little breathless at times, easy to get tired and always  lacks sleep. It zaps you of strength even if there is that adrenalin rush to do something else. Gardening is one such thing that I miss doing since my time staying here is limited now.  Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy the morning ritual of watering the plants, feeding the Koi and finding some new blooms to document. I took these shots early this morning except for the last two shots of  that I took  months ago. Looking at the pictures of these white  flowers makes me smile, it’s a little close to that place I was dreaming earlier.

My white Ruellia. They actually come in different colors and are self-propagating. They are summer flowers.

A Dwarf Pandakaki, also  known as Kampupot. I just wonder why they call it Banana bush when it does not even resemble a banana plant.

Snow Rose, a delicate flower in white. It resembles my Orange African rose but this one has a faint scent lacking in the former.

Locally known as White Angel flowers, they are sun-loving plants.  It could grow into a little bush but it is perfect when trimmed.

Can you help me identify this one? It’s pretty common in our neighborhood and does not need too much care.

This pretty cat stole my morning. It’s a neighbor’s pet that visits us once in a while but I am always afraid that she’ll be chased by our angry dogs . Sometimes, I envy that serene pause, shutting out the world  with all its broken dreams.

Ah, my lovely Amazon Lily! I only get to see the flowers once or twice a year but the waiting is all worth it.

My one and only Gardenia shrub never fails to make me smile every time it’s in bloom. I love that heady intoxicating scent.

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More Practice With Macro Photography

The early years – when I could not resist taking shots of flowers and blooms. They never fail to put a smile on my face every time I see them. I wish I could compile all the macro shots I took  (hundreds of them) as far back as four years ago. The details, the place and the moments of joy when I took them are golden memories I’ll always remember with fondness.

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Metamorphosis

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature. – Gerard de Nerval

Don’t look now, but there was a time when I used to document every bloom and every seed that grows in my garden.  I even dreamed of writing about it, describing every bloom, how long it took for one particular plant to grow and  surprise you with that lovely bloom after nurturing it with your heart and soul. And always, the pleasure of seeing it transform before your eyes and the joy you feel after long days of wait is worth a thousand smile on your face. I remember taking these shots with my old Pentax Optio camera while recuperating from a life-changing ailment almost three years ago. It’s my Amazon Lily, from bud to bloom.

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My Amazon Lily Is In Bloom Again

There was a time when I used to take shots of every flower in our garden but since we have it landscaped two years ago, everything now looks green except for my potted plants lining up one side of the wall. My Amazon lily blooms every year giving that sweet fragrance and oh so lovely flowers. Here are some facts about this showy plant. It belongs to the genus Eucharis and is called  Eucharis grandiflora. It is a slow growing bulb plant that produces star-shaped cluster of white flowers which have a prominent corona usually tinged with green.

And here are more facts about the Amazon Lily:

• Amazon Lily is a bulbous perennial plant.
• Amazon Lily plant leaves are basal and narrow into petioles.
• Amazon Lily is a beautiful shade loving plant from South America.
• The shinny dark green foliage is very attractive.
• The broad stalked leaves are 20-55 cm long and 10-20 cm broad.
• The glossy leaves of Amazon Lily plant are deep green, several inches wide and in the form of a rosette.
• The tall Amazon Lily spikes bear fragrant , waxy, long lasting white flowers.
• Mature clumps can flower at different times of the year but more often it will flower in the spring.
• It likes shade and sheltered areas and makes an excellent potted plant.
• The bulbs will go dormant if the temperatures goes near freezing.
• Amazon Lily plants can flower twice a year.
• All parts of Amazon Lily plant are poisonous if ingested.

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More Practice On Macro Shots

I always love snapping pictures of some blooms in our garden or just across the street where Canna plants  were planted by one of our village helpers. And it’s good to take some shots  when raindrops are still lingering on the tip of the blooms.

 

 

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