Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
There were plenty of bees buzzing industriously around these blooms on a tall, shady gum tree in Kings Park, Perth, last Sunday.
I should not have gone in close, but throwing caution to the winds, I stuck my head in between the branches in the interest of art.
I have a very strong memory of the pain (and the shame) of being stung on the butt in my childhood, when I took the advice of an older friend (who should have known better) and threw stones at a beehive in the garden of our home at 3 Dumayne Avenue.
Yes, that was on my mind when I went against my better judgement in Perth to take this shot. So I’m thinking – do I opt for safety and walk away from this one or do I tempt the worker bees and go for the shot?
No question about what my decision was going to be. Pink bearded blossoms around beautifully formed Australian gumnuts, framed against a graceful arc of the olive-green leaves won me over completely. A bee sting lasts for a few hours, but a splendid range of colour captured on camera lasts forever.
Right, honey?
Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.
makes me giggle to think a 700 lb grizzly won't deter you but a couple of bees might. lol
ReplyDeletelovely results for the risk taken ;)
Good Morning David... What a beautiful picture of the flowers... Just wonderful. I have been in North Florida for the last two weeks and had horrible interent but were we are now is a lot better.... Still slow but I can stay on. Have a good one today!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
Donna
Well, it was worth it, David. These are lovely!
ReplyDeleteWishing you an evern lovelier Sunday...
Sheila :-)
Congratulations on your successful no-sting-operation! :-)
ReplyDeleteOne of my daughters' hand swelled into a frightening looking giant mess after a bee sting, so please practise safe photography whenever possible.
Great shots and I didn't feel a thing, so you did good!
ReplyDeleteCraig
Cavid,
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog, through other blogs. I love the comment from your previous blog that you save all your stuff, even those pictures that are not 'right', to remind you that we can always improve. I will use that tip, and pass it on, if you don't mind. Thanks for super pictures, and interesting prose.
sixtyfivewhatnow.blogspot.com
Love that second image. So lively and lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe should not be surprised that the bees are attracted to such pretty flowers.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photography and amusing words.
ReplyDeleteHello David!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting my blog. Your photographs are absolutely incredible! I was thinking of taking up photography, I may still. I believe there is a class locally that will be starting soon. :) Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
Thanks for going for it - it is indeed a beautiful shot!
ReplyDeleteWhat vibrant flowers! Thank for risking life and bum to bring us these beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteSince Sting was/is one of my favourite artists ("Fragile" perhaps on the top of the list), I must confess that I look forward to take my new macro-lens bee hunting When we get the summer!
ReplyDeletePS I don't grudge you those beautiful ones!
Love your pretty pink Gum blossom, will you be featuring gum nut babies as well?
ReplyDeleteDavid, Polo Club has quite a small flower head, no more than 2 1/2" diameter but so bright it lights up the garden.
lovely photo......
ReplyDeleteGill in Canada
Lovely flowers, David! I had no idea that a gum tree had such beauty about it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePeace!
I'm so glad that you fought back the humiliation and got that shot. It's beautiful...and well worth a bee sting, right? Yellow Jackets are my fear. My sister Holly and I were walking to my Aunt's house on a country lane when I decided I wanted to go check out the wildflowers, pick some for her...I stepped into a Yellow Jacket nest built underground. I was stung about 145 times, my sister was stung about 80 times trying to save my sorry butt! It's a wonder we both lived and lived without bee phobias...I guess God wasn't done with us yet!
ReplyDeleteSandi
Lovely shots of the gum tree flowers blossoming. My photos of blossoms never turn out so well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a warrior you are to risk danger to complete your mission. And what a beautiful result. :)
ReplyDeletegreat photos!
ReplyDeleteOnly comment has to be 'Boom Boom' - but perhaps you have to live in England to understand it...
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a flower blooming to become a fruit. Maybe it's a different tree but it's really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou brave soul you!
ReplyDeleteIt was worth the risk.
ReplyDeleteI can see why the bees would be attracted to this flower. I wonder if they smell as lovely as they look. Smiles B
ReplyDeleteHi David
ReplyDeleteMarvelous flower!
Fantastic capture!
Thanks for sharing these fantastic takes!
Luiz
Very clever!
ReplyDeleteThey always take a lovely photo, those pink gum flowers don't they?
My Mum had them growing in her garden, and I could never resist taking a photo every time I visited! I don't remember having to worry about too many bees luckily!
Annie
So fun to see a pretty flower I've never before seen.
ReplyDeletebeautiful color and detail. Is this part of the bottle brush family?
ReplyDeleteOh, my! Stung on the backside. That's not pleasant at all. What a memory.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very unique-looking flower.
Paz
Ha! I had my comment all set to type and glanced over to the left to see that Lime was thinking the exact same thing. Lovely shots though :)
ReplyDeleteYour photo looks pretty in pink.
ReplyDeletestunning I'm making arrangements in my mind sk
ReplyDelete