Monday, April 13, 2009

Buzz Stop

My Garden Is A Hive Of Activity

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Some months ago, before the hot, dry summer that even killed some of the rose bushes at Casa Authorblog, it was a lazy afternoon that demanded photography. I'd spent about half an hour or so shooting some of the freshest roses that surround our property, when I decided to take a complete change of approach.

I went looking for the oldest rose bloom in the greatest state of decay. That just happened to be this specimen, standing tall but distinctly ragged and well past its best on a bush called Chicago Peace.


Since I had a macro lens on the camera, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to go for the unflattering close-up. Forget the petals, forget the colour that had faded well past its best display. I figured I would go so close that I could literally stick my nose in the rose.

I was going to concentrate on the miniature tendrils at the very centre of the bloom. Let's put this in perspective. They are absolutely minuscule, a few millimetres long at the very most. As I could see in the clear afternoon light (and as you can see in these images) even they had succumbed to age and were completely tattered.


I got a couple of decent shots and then I thought I heard a sound. I knew it wasn't a sound from within the inner recesses of Casa Authorblog. I knew it wasnt the distant sound of an angle grinder. I knew it wasn't the sound of the camera.

So, like some of the shrewdest generals in military history, I staged a retreat. No, let me amen that. I staged a strategic pull-back to assess the situation.

Sometimes my brain isn't the quickest on the planet. The sound I'd heard was the unmistakable buzz of a bee.

Sure, and it wasn't the theme music from 'The Sting'.


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

42 comments:

Shadow said...

compared to another, this one may be ragged, but the way you present it, it's beautiful!

K. said...

Just gorgeous! I love your pictures and way with words. Looks like Casa Authorblog has a lovely garden.

Anonymous said...

You know the way to a woman's heart!

CJ xx

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Fabulous! I love all of these pictures...and the buzzing bee was delightful...especially since you didn't get stung! Terrific photos, and entertaining anecdote!

Janie said...

I think the fading flower is beautiful. I guess the tattered parts leave more places for bees to hide, though. Look out for the buzzing.

Merisi said...

Beautiful close-up!
Nothing fades away in greater beauty than a rose or a peony.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures of a beautiful rose.
Happy Easter!!

dot said...

Just buzzed in to admire the lovely roses!

Flying Solo said...

You sure know how to tell a story! wonderful and I love sting :)

Lanny said...

I appreciate the more mature blossoms on a rose in particular. Thank you for the lovely shots.

Gunilla said...

Lovely roses and fantastic photos.
Thanks for sharing
Gunilla in Sweden

Müge Tekil said...

A nice journey into the core of a beautiful flower! Successful macro shots!

Norm said...

as always your photos are gorgeous with a very interesting story..

Anonymous said...

Lovely! i just planted some new roses last week and hope to see some blooms soon.

DeniseinVA said...

Still beautiful even passed its peak.

Ebie said...

Beautiful post and you snapped the bee just on time. You must have a pretty garden.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures of a beautiful rose.
Happy Easter!!

Naturegirl said...

David the delicate pedals of this rose warm my heart! Happy Easter!

Naturegirl said...

oops..the petals!! blushing NG

Juliana said...

lovely macro shots

My TF entry this week : in HERE. I hope you have time to visit. Thanks

Eddie Bluelights said...

What a busy bee you were! Magnificent photos David, as ever.
I do wonder sometimes how you mangage to file , store and know how to retrieve these photos when you want them. Mere mortals like me would forget I took them. I wonder how you do it. You mustbe very well organised.

Anonymous said...

Even if it is fading, it's still very pretty. Love the colors. Nice post. :)

imac said...

Certainly makes a change David, well captured.
Hope you and family had a nice Easter.

Gill - That British Woman said...

what lovely details......

Gill in Canada

Cath said...

Mmmmm. I can smell that rose.
Beautiful shots.

Ananda girl said...

The Chicago Peace rose is my favorite of all the roses. I love the way they change intensity of color as they bloom and fade. Beautiful photographs, David. Thanks

VALKYRIEN said...

Lovely roses! And great closeups, especially the last one, with the bee! They love roses too!

Happy Easter from Norway!

i beati said...

I can smell this rose all these thousands of miles away Sandy

Pat - Arkansas said...

Some beautiful things remain beautiful, even in decline. And it's not only the new, young rose which attracts the honey bee.

Lovely post, David.

Judy said...

I think the older blossoms have more character than the freshest ones. Sort of like people. (And that has nothing to do with the fact I am starting to get senior's discounts at the stores, right?)
Love the photos!!

Rosaria Williams said...

"Chicago Peace". I have one of these roses, but they are puny in this weather. Yours look lush and immensely prolific. I just like the bee.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

David, I hope you had a lovely Easter. And these roses are just magnificent! I can almost smell their fragrance!

Sorry I've been MIA. A friend's mother has been dying, and she actually passed on Good Friday which is an awesome time to go home to be with the Lord! :-)

Happy Easter to you and yours...

Sheila :-)

Carol Murdock said...

David....leave it to you to not only create a great story but do such an awesome thing with a Rose!
Great job!
Carol

Sarah Lulu said...

I can really relate to faded, overblown, ragged, falling apart roses.

Thank you so much!

Anonymous said...

Lovely garden, beautiful rose.
Mary ElizabethBlog.

Anonymous said...

If that's the worst of your roses, then your garden is in good shape. I liked the perspective of the macro shots.

Arija said...

Often the essence of a flower only appears just before it dies, just like in humans.

Gowri Mohanakrishnan said...

Lovely closeups. And I like the sting at the end of your tale!

Regina said...

I love this shots. Beautiful.

Tulip said...

unique capture!

Daryl said...

I had no idea a rose had those little tendril like things in its center nevertheless this is as always lovely ...

Luiz Santilli Jr said...

David

Wonderful roses, flowers of my preference!
Thanks for posting!

Luiz