Monday, May 18, 2009

My Name Is Swirl

This Reminded Me Of Noah's Arc

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


One of the things about visiting different countries is that the local flora is always fascinating. This shot was taken in Malaysia, during our family holiday last July. We were on the tropical island of Langkawi when I first spotted these flowers growing in a clump near the beach.

They caught my attention because of the grace of the long, tapering petals and the manner in which they seem to be flung at random to all points of the compass. These white tendrils formed beautiful arcs against the dark green foliage underneath and in the background.

It was only after I moved closer to take this shot that I spotted the delicate, long pistils with the dark pods. I had my 18-125mm lens on the camera, which is a great all-purpose lens. Despite the deep shadows in the vicinity, the strength and contrast of the colours really dictated the way I composed these two shots.

Do I know what the flowers are called? Er, no, but if you have any clues, do let me know.


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

37 comments:

Daryl said...

Looks like some sort of lily or maybe a relative of ilium (I posted some of those today); they are oddly lovely and I look forward to someone naming them for us

Shadow said...

i imagine a sweet scent of nectar aroung them?

Thumbelina said...

Wonderful shots. They look so graceful.

Charles Gramlich said...

You're so right. The amazing colors and contortions of plants is just a wonderous source of study.

NG said...

beautiiiiful !!!
i wait each day for ur post...coz there's something new...something funny... some message always...

Pseudo said...

Nice. I want a good camera. I keep hoping cannon will send me an email offering a free one for posting an ad on my blog. So far, all offers have been for weird stuff that I would never use or want.

LadyFi said...

I love the graceful trailing petals of those flowers. Gorgeous. Bet they smell heavenly too!

ellen abbott said...

We call them spider lilies. I don't know the botannical name. Here is Houston TX. They grow in my yard. Of all the things that grow in my yard, this is the one my daughter likes best.

Maggie May said...

Is it a kind of lily?
Makes a good picture whatever it is.

There is a terrible lily beetle that kills off lilies in my part of the world. Red with black dots. Bigger than a ladybird.

Rosaria Williams said...

Someone left the name of spider lily; I love that name. I wonder if they can grow in the Northwest too. Thanks, David.

Jinksy said...

Sadly, this time I can't even hazard a guess as to what to begin searching for - you do find wonderful flowers to track down!

Jinksy said...

Got it, thanks to Ellen's Spider Lillies. The family is Amaryllidaceae, which belong to the following genera:- Crinum, Hymenocallis, Lycoris.

Hymenocallis is this one! I do like to know...

2sweetnsaxy said...

Those are really interesting and your shots are great. Why did they remind you of Noah's Arc?

VALKYRIEN said...

Looks like firework in shape! And delicate!

Anonymous said...

They're very beautiful (and spidery!) whatever plant they are.

kayerj said...

such a delicate blossom!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

You have a genius for finding the most wonderful botanical treasures! And your photography ain't bad either ;-) LOL...Janine

Anonymous said...

Great shots of this beautiful flower.
I have found Spider Lilies, family is Amaryllidaceae, growing in Samana, Dominican Republic.
It is a tropical plant.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Gorgeous!! Methinks I have to find out if those will grow/thrive here in Arkansas.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Great contrast with the white and green.

♥ Braja said...

I have those in my garden here in West Bengal; they're from the lily family. No scent to speak of, which is unfortunate, as they do look so intriguingly beautiful. I have them in a vase on my desk right now...how funny to see them on your blog :)

Cris said...

Awesome, each country has its own beautiful flowers. Have you been to South America?

Luiz Santilli Jr said...

Hi David

Wonderful and delicate flower!
In World there are many kinds of interesting flowers, isn't easy to know all their names!!
Thanks, David, for posting for TODAY'S FLOWERS every Sunday!

Luiz

Eddie Bluelights said...

Super shots but sorry do not know the flower name.

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for these works of art.

Arija said...

A beautiful virginal white spider something-or-otheriana, the little box in my brain seems to be ticking.

The Stylish House said...

David,
Thank you for stopping by my site and leaving your kind comment. I was out of town or would have paid you a visit sooner. What an amazing photo you captured of this graceful lily. I struggle to get a decent shot with my pitifully inadequate point and shoot camera. I appreciate the crispness and clarity along with your artistic ability demonstrated.
Cathy~

spacedlaw said...

Lovely and graceful like ballerinas.

Blue said...

So beautiful flower.

Anonymous said...

They are really unusual. Not sure I actually like them to be honest but your photography is sensational as always.

CJ xx

BT said...

I adore flower photos. If you have time to look back at some of my 'Doorus garden' blogs, you'll see many photos from our land.

This is a real beauty. I'd love to be able to grow exotic plants, but here in Ireland it's wet and boggy so a no go area for most of them.

Twisted willow said...

Beautiful photograph of a lovely flower. Well done to Jinksy for nailing it. I wouldn't have got close, but I do remember seeing one under glass in Kew Gardens.

Hilary said...

I had no idea about the flowers, which are lovely but your post title cracked me up!

Happily Retired Gal said...

What a unique blossom ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Maureen said...

Wow, incredible! Thank you for sharing. They are beautiful.

DeniseinVA said...

Beautiful flower, unusual in my part of the world I think.

Sarah Laurence said...

Wow! Those are the most amazing blooms ever. They almost seem like sea creatures.