Monday, March 23, 2009

After The Blessing Of Rain

Looks Like There's Been A Growth Spurt

Photographs copyright: DAVID MCMAHON


These photographs were talen a few hours ago, to show you a remarkable transformation. Through the long, hot, dry summer just past, our many roses continued to thrive. We had every colour imaginable, with a variety of scents. Maybe they were not as profuse as they have been in years where the drought has been tempered by some occasional rain, but there were roses on every bush nonetheless.


Then last month we had a three-day spell that was hotter than anything else in our history. Unrelentingly, the heat reached the 46C mark (almost 115 Fahrenheit and stayed there. On the first day, I showed the Authorbloglets several fresh blooms on the rose bushes across our property - and I pointed out that by midday they would all have withered.


Even the rose hips were burnt to a crisp. Normally, the hips form a beautiful head-tossing dance in a strong breeze, but few of them took on the orange-green hue that is common to their form. As you can see in this shot (above) taken a few hours ago, some of the rose hips in our garden looked like remnants in a fireplace.


At the end of that torturous hot spell, there were no flowers left in our garden. Then, last Saturday we had real rain. In a few days, the dun-coloured lawns and nature strips of Melbourne have turned green again. And sure enough, some of our rose bushes have burst into bloom once more.


Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.

45 comments:

Richard Lawry said...

I'm glad that you received the blessing of rain. The roses are beautiful. It is amazing how resilient plants can be.

An Arkies Musings

Ginny Gibson said...

Thank you so much for your visit today, and thank you I won't feel so guilty about the veritable glitter festival going on in my work room at this moment in time :0))

I am amazed by the roses and the fact that they are completely frizzled by lunch time. Such beautiful roses, my favourite flower too.

best wishes Ginny

Finding Pam said...

The sweet smell of roses remind me of my grandmother. Lovely roses.

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Absolutely beautiful photos David!
I love the colour of the first rose and the way you have focused on just that one flower, superb!
All the best,
Donnie

Nessa said...

Wow, that is cooking temperature. Beautiful variety of color.

Cath said...

Oh it must may your heart leap to know they have come through and survived! Not as precious as human life I know, but precious all the same and beautiful.

Wonderful shots. Such a golden yellow. Do they pale on unfurling? I have a gorgeous yellow rose that is a deep yellow in bud and as it unfurls, becomes more of a lemon colour. Amazing nature. :)

Jinksy said...

Perhaps this explains why my Rain Reverie hit the screen between 5-6am this morning!

Misty DawnS said...

David, I love seeing your beautiful flowers! I can't wait to have my own flower gardens, and hope that I have as much beauty surrounding me as you!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

I absolutely love the golden roses tipped with red...one of my favorites! My mother had a way with roses...you, perhaps, have the same green thumb...and if your photography gift is any indication...I think the answer to that question is a resounding "Yes!" Thank you so much for your visit and more than kind words. I am grateful to you. And I can wholeheartedly assure you--the feeling is mutual!!!!

Rosaria Williams said...

We are all adjusting to climate changes. Pretty soon, we won't notice these changes. We had hardly any rain so far in the rain year; the forests will be affected and the fish, and the availability of water in the summer months.

Ananda girl said...

I love roses! Unfortunately my weather system and lack of sun in my yard are not well suited to them. These are so wonderful and for them to spring back, such an affirmation of renewal and hope. You are some gardener!

Hilary said...

Your roses are wonderful. I'm so glad to hear that life is getting back to normal for you.

Deb said...

Hi ~ Color my world! I love color and that deep pink rose is incredible. The yellow rose seems to be a reminder of the heat and fires you were faced with this summer. After seeing these pictures I am motivated to get out my crayons/color pencils! I have a tiny bit of green poking through the last remaining snow piles and all the mud. I just have to be patient a little bit longer! Enjoy your colorful world!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

What amazing photography! I can see why your photos have been published internationally. You really do have a gift of telling a story with your camera.

-Francesca

Anonymous said...

Healing rain. I wish you plenty! And not just for your camera's joy, but your heart's as well.

Woman in a Window said...

46 degrees and I would wilt! That last shot especially is gorgeous!

introspection said...

Roses are beautiful flowers in so many ways. And the roses from your garden look as if they have just quenched their thirst for natural rain water. A spurt of blossom after the rain - i m so glad you got good rains.
Besides the lovely golden yellow Rose (first photo) my favourite is the White one (last picture). Oh ! it's so pretty, soft, peaceful and pure untouched nature.
Thanks for sharing these pretty flower pictures. I just love roses...!

Muthering Heights said...

These are just beautiful!

Carletta said...

Into each life a little rain must fall to give life and what beautiful new life your roses have.
If these are any indication you must have a gorgeous garden David!
At least when rain permits. :)

My Flowers post is on my photoblog: Carletta’s Captures.

Daryl said...

the nicest thing, aside from looking lovely and making any room prettier by their presence, home grown garden roses smell deeevine ... something missing from store bought stems

VALKYRIEN said...

Wonderful shots, simply love the yellow rose! In Norway the snow is still covering the landscape, so I will have to enjoy yours - and other bloggers flowers for the time being!

Maggie May said...

That is quite a relief to get some rain and I am very pleased for you and the roses!
Beautiful photos.

Anonymous said...

Nature always surprises us..
Beautiful rose pictures. Enjoy!!

Arija said...

Glad you got an autumn showing, mine are still in dire staits. It does make a lot of difference when you have reticulated water. They do not take much, but do need some.

Tarolino said...

Glorious roses David. It'll be long yet before we'll have roses in bloom but luckily one can enjoy them on the blogosphere. Thanks for these beautiful images.

Gill - That British Woman said...

that white rose is just so pretty,

Gill in Canada

Naturegirl said...

David these roses are a true JoY to see! Here in Arizona with Spring temps of high 90's the roses thrive and are blooming! I must capture a few photos because in my world we don't have roses until June!! Stay cool my friend give those rose a bit of H2O..:)NG

Anonymous said...

Nothing like children spending time in the garden with you. How lovely the flowers look after the rain.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: What wonderful rosoes in different colors. I'm so glad they have made it through the drought because of the beauty they bring.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Glad the 'rain drain' seems to be abating. Hope it all blossoms like the rose soon.

Leora said...

Nice to hear how the roses came back after the hot spell. The yellow ones are precious. Wonderful photos.

SandyCarlson said...

These are wonderful shots. I have just fallen in love with roses.

marie-louise said...

Beautiful pictures of beautiful flowers. Love their intense colour, so perfect. Thanks also for visiting my blog today.

What About The Girl? said...

Sir David, that white rose is captivating!

Willow said...

Oh hurray! The roses are back! All is right with the world.

Laerte Pupo said...

Thanks for posting to TODAY'S FLOWERS.
I love roses.

~ugly girl with a beautiful heart~ said...

beautiful pics...I've always loved photographing roses.

Lew said...

That second rose is absolutely a gorgeous color! Glad you got the rain and the new blooms..

SweetPeaSurry said...

Those are such beautiful flowers. I do hope my thumb is a bit greener this year.

Tom said...

What beauties these are... we have spring weather at the moment but still a chill in the air.

Tom
Wiggers World

Louise said...

It is amazing to me how quickly plants respond to rain. What a beautiful comeback these roses gave you!

Janet said...

Those are so beautiful. I can't grow roses because I don't have enough sun. Thank you for providing yours.

Mojo said...

Amazing what a day's rain (or two) can do isn't it? These are astonishing!

Akelamalu said...

Beautiful David. I especially like the last one, it's unusual. :)

cheshire wife said...

Isn't nature wonderful!