Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Great Hips, Rose

Prune Those Bushes Down To Size

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I've never joined in the lemming-like rush to prune roses as soon as winter starts. Why? Mate, what's the point of encouraging new growth when the frosts are cruel? So while the rest of the country's gardeners eagerly get out their secateurs in the first week of June, I wait until the third week of July. I started the task on Sunday and of course I had to get the camera out to shoot these beautiful rose hips. It wasn't just the colour I wanted to capture, but the distinct curves on the stalk above this one reminded me of a set of curved elfin shoes. And the light was just right, too.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

The image of each perfect rose hip has been captured against a soothing and harmonious backdrop.

Ellie Creek Ellis said...

hi david,
i'm not sure what lense my husband used on the shots of those rattlers, but here is his flicker site if you want to look at more of his pics and/or discuss lense "stuff" with him, k?
thanks for visiting my blog...add if you wish.

Ellie Creek Ellis said...

duh, lol

http://www.flickr.com/photos/madisonvalleyphotos/

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

This is such a perfect image, David. Fairies dance with elves, don't you know?

Brian in Oxford said...

David, with a caption like that, I thought you were getting political on us americanos! :)

mrsnesbitt said...

I laughed at the caption! So my humour! You would love a night, here, with hubby and I watching TV...you would love the one-liners we dish out after a few drinks!

LOL!

Yes, touched you want to add me to your blogroll...........I will add you to mine too!
D

Granny said...

Love.

G'day to you, David, and thanks for the kind words. You're welcome back anytime.

little things said...

I've hopped over from Shrink's page because I was impressed with your education.
And now I am lucky enough to find those little buds of roses that I used to have this insatiable desire to squeeze when i was a child.
Even now, I can feel my fingers flexing!

david mcmahon said...

Hi Rene,

Thank you. The background complemented the colours of the rose hips.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Ms Creek,

Those were great shots of the rattlers. Will check out his Flickr site for details.

Montana sounds like my sort of countryside!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Carol,

They sure do. We're in perfect synch. You post fairies. I post elves.

Could not be more in harmony!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Brian,

I wondered if anyone would read political satire into that. Clever though it might sound, I have to admit that was not the intention!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi MrsNesbitt,

So glad you liked the caption. I tend to have a bit of fun with 'em.

Your house sounds a bit like mine!

I enjoyed visiting your site today and like MacArthur, I'll be back!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Granny,

Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment.

I look forward to many more visits and vice versa.

Your blog made me smile - which is a good thing.

Keep smiling

David

phaseoutgirl said...

Hi David,

I have not really disappeared, am still here!

I don't ever recall ever seeing rose hips (or maybe I just did not know what these were called!). Now I do, and this is quite a stunning photo, reminds me of nymphs, for some reason, don't ask me why..cheers,

Cecilia

little things said...

In answer to your query to see if I knew why rose bushes are pruned at 45 degrees (and without cheating by googling,) I would guess to avoid disease?
Am I right?

david mcmahon said...

Hi Cecilia,

Yes, you;re so, so right. You'll see that Carol/ Shrink and I were saying pretty much the same thing.

Wood nymphs - that's it. Thanks for reminding me!

Lovely to hear from you. I was starting to worry about you ....

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi it'sthelittlethings,

I'm still smiling at a) your comment about wanting to get stuck into the rose hips and b) your blog.

The reason roses are pruned on an angle in winter is so that any moisture/ melted frost runs straight don the stem and does not sit on a straight cut, thereby rotting the stem.

Interesting, isn't it! I might have to do a blogpost on that ....

Keep smiling

David

Alex L said...

gardening is one of those things i wish i had the patience and the commitment for. It seems like it would be very rewarding.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Pope Terry,

It's very relaxing, too - and gives you good reason to get your hands and knees dirty!

Keep smiling

David