Monday, July 27, 2009

Wattle I Shoot Next?

It's Like Watching Golden Snowflakes

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Now that there's just over a month before we move from winter into spring, the colours are slowly coming alive. Yes, the ski slopes are getting fresh, deep snow. Yes, there's been a bit of rain. Yes, we're still getting frosty mornings. Yes, the wind still bites through you even when the sun is shining brightly.

But the wattle has been blooming for a couple of weeks now - always the first sign that warmer weather is promised in the next few weeks.


I shot these images last weekend, but I should have known better. It's very hard to shoot close-ups of wattle, even in the slightest breeze.

Because each wattle blossom is so minute - they are literally about a centimetre across, they dance and bob around wildly, even in a gentle breeze. The day I took these shots, the breeze would have put some laundromats out of business, it was so brisk.

Because these are only low-resolution images, a lot of the sharpness drops out. But if I continually posted high-res images here, the blog would take much longer to load. However, I will post one of these shots on my RedBubble site, so you can view it there.


One of the really interesting things about shooting wattle is the graceful shape and colour of the miniature leaves that surround the blossoms. This image (above) was actually shot while I crouched down below a branch - just to give you a slightly different perspective of a beautiful tree and its colours.

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

36 comments:

Annie said...

Good shots David. It is indeed difficult to get good photos of the wattle trees sometimes!

Arija said...

Acacia bailliana making a splendid display on your blog.

Enjoy the ski slopes, you're close enough to them.

i beati said...

The leaf is as delicate as the intricacy of the snowflake flower..

Regina said...

Hi David. What a golden beauty.
Lovely shots.

Mrs Mac said...

Beautiful flowers. Are they as fluffy as they look?

Rune Eide said...

I wish we could say the same when our winter arrives - when your summer arrives. But ours will be in black and white...

Leora said...

Love hearing about the snow. I love snow! Wattle is so pretty - I've never heard of it before.

Miranda said...

Oh so pretty, they do look like lil snowflakes.

Jazz said...

You're getting to spring in Oz and I'm still waiting for summer to start up here in Canadia...

Charles Gramlich said...

Can't describe it as much else other than an "explosion" of yellow.

VALKYRIEN said...

I have never seen anything like that. They do look like tiny snowflakes! Adorable flowers!

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Dear David--

I'm a new 'follower' and I'm so glad to have found you!
Your photos of the 'wattle' are beautiful. It's so strange to hear you say, "Now that there's just over a month before we move from winter into spring...", when we're just a month into our summer here. The Lord works in mysterious ways, doesn't He?
It's been nice to 'meet' you, and I'll be seeing you again soon.

Sincerely,
~Cynde
Cynde's Got The Write Stuff

Cynthia Pittmann said...

How delicate these tiny caterpillar wattle-puffs are, David. Little treasures.

ellen abbott said...

Even low res and out of focus, these pictures are wonderful. I didn't recognize 'wattle' but acacia, yes, I know that.

Thanks for visiting my blog David. Praise from you for my photos is praise indeed.

Melissa Barrett-Traister said...

Beautiful pictures,thanks for sharing!

James said...

Those flowers look great.

Kathleen said...

And I understand now that Australia has a National Wattle Day to celebrate the first day of spring?

The little beauties beauties look like tiny star bursts or fireworks. They're lovely.

Can you describe the aroma? I understand they're used in making perfumes.

Anonymous said...

Wattle plant? I thought your pictures are mimosa flowers!!
Great shots!!

introspection said...

THose are beautiful pictures, and that golden yellow is absolutely my favourite. Thanks for sharing.
cheers!

Amanda Bonilla said...

Beautiful photos!

Maggie May said...

I love your heading!
Shooting wattle does sound sort of aggressive, somehow!
Lovely photos!

myonlyphoto said...

David well done. These are so pretty. Anna :)

Pat - Arkansas said...

Beautiful blossoms and leaves. The only "wattle" I've ever before thought about is included in the term "daub and wattle."

Rosaria Williams said...

There is always some aspect or other that you bring, then your readers add, and together, everyone learns that wattle is a.k.a acacia bailliana, though in our neck of the woods neither is known.

vicki archer said...

These golden wattle shots are wonderful David - they are as delicate as fresh snowflakes, xv.

DeniseinVA said...

Never seen a wattle before but it looks a lovely little flower windy or not, that color just yells spring. It always amazes me how nature knows the warmer weather is on the way, even though it is pretty nippy outside.

Naturegirl said...

David I have seen these "fragrant" blossoms on trees when I winter in Arizona..in Spring when the desert is in full bloom they are all over...I really loved this bloom..thank you for allowing me to remember!

SweetPeaSurry said...

I have just fallen in love, with the wattle. Mm hmm ... Yup ... Love I say!

thanks for the lovely photo

blessings

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Davd: What a neat splash of yellow in your scene.

DigitalShutterMania said...

Wonderful shot ^__^

Pollyanna said...

I've never seen wattle before - it's a pretty little thing! I think the photos are great - it's interesting how on one photo, some came out sharp, but others a little blurred.

I'd love to see you at my blog: Picture This . . .

Willow said...

Having never heard of a wattle tree, I will now go to google and educate myself. The photo of the leaves enthralled me.

Amanda Moore said...

Even without resolution these are beautiful they look so delicate!

SandyCarlson said...

Now I know what a wattle looks like. These are wonderful. Your end of winter phase sure offers some nice color.

Joanna Jenkins said...

I've never seen anything like this! It's fabulous!
Great shots. Thank you!

Daryl said...

Faced with a similar problem, I grabbed onto the branch and held it steady with one hand and depressed the camera button with the other ..