Monday, August 17, 2009

From Punk Rocker To Pink Rocker

Nature's Fairy Floss Comes On Delicate Branches

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


One of the many things I really love about living in Melbourne is the fact that the winter solstice arrives on 22 June, exactly three weeks after the official start of winter on 1 June. In other words, our days actually start get longer even before we are one-third of the way through winter.


Then the trees start to herald the promise of warmer weather. There is still ice on the cars and cruel frost on the ground when the wattle trees begin to bloom, with golden clouds of miniature blooms that dance in the cold breeze.

Come the last week of July and the fruit trees start to show puffs of light, dreamy pink. By the middle of August, the sun’s embrace brings a different quality of light and warmth.


These images were shot on the weekend, showing the most vivid promise that our winter only has two weeks remaining. The football season is drawing towards the business end. There is less need to wear a scarf on a cold morning. The sunlight breaks through our windows earlier than ever. And the light brings great promise for photographers.


When I shot these images, the sun was mostly hidden behind thick cloud and wild winds hit the state hard. All in all, not the best conditions to photograph tiny blooms like these. But that's the real challenge - of being able to work with Nature, to depict Nature.


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

29 comments:

ArtistUnplugged said...

What beautiful pink blooms. Like getting the info on your winter, interesting!

Cezar and Léia said...

I just came from camera critters but I must say that your blog is always fabulous with great posts! This one is awesome!Adorable and delicate flower.
Léia and Luna

Hadriana's Treasures said...

I can't believe some of your comments: "our days actually start to get longer before we are one third of the way through winter". Am gobsmacked. I've already resigned myself to the fact that our Summer is effectively over. Am totally resigned to weeks and months of rain and wind. Our winter lasts about 7 months and boy...does it get dark!

I'm not completely resigned to the fact that we might lose the Ashes - however! :)
P.S. love the blooms...

Anonymous said...

Hi David, I've become a real fan of subect flowers, they make beautiful images.

CJ xx

Sandy Kessler said...

swooning here. fruit trees a real favorite with so much promise..sk

Sean said...

You are lucky,, winter just about to start here. Nice photographs!

Maddy said...

Delightful.

Terri Tiffany said...

Gorgeous pictures! Oh to have that talent!

Saz said...

I wonder how long it would take me to get used to spring in the summer if l moved to your neck of the woods.....

Rosaria Williams said...

I can't believe how short your winters are. Midway, and you have spring blooms. Delightful scenes.

CiCi said...

Pink is my favorite color and these are such a pretty shade of pink.
It makes it interesting for us all to share in blogs while our summer here is hot and your summer like our winter.

savannah said...

it's been too long since my last visit, sugar! what a glorious post to com e back too! absolutely stunning! xoxo

Quiet Paths said...

A delicate beauty. Wonderfully done.

Maggie May said...

Beautiful blossom.
Interesting weather patterns!

Digital Flower Pictures said...

The pictures came out very nice. The fruit tree bloom here is always a special time.

DeniseinVA said...

I think those wonderful blooms would warm any heart David. Fantastic photos, thanks for sharing them.

Cynthia Pittmann said...

David, those are gorgeous photos. I would love to be immersed in their beauty. Thanks for sharing so much detail about the seasons. I must admit, though, I am confused. How can the days be longer in winter? I guess you would have to live there to find it normal.

Sandi McBride said...

How glorious are these? They put a smile on my face to be sure!
Sandi

Annie said...

Ah, lovely images this week, David...I had some of them last week...they are always so beautiful aren't they?

I am so surprised that Spring is nearly here, even in Brisbane and Toowoomba where I am visiting currently! My second spring for the year, after experiencing one in New York earlier this year! How lucky can I be?

Unknown said...

Just gorgeous David, it still blows my mind that you are just entering Spring!! We are longing for Fall here and some cooler weather.

Jinksy said...

There's certainly no point in trying to work against nature! It will always win!

Arija said...

Lovely Spring blossom, mine are out in force as well.

Hilary said...

Wow your winters sure end quickly! This would be like ours ending in February.. when it just gets started in earnest. Lovely flowers.. that first reminder of spring is always such a joy.

Shadow said...

ooooo, peach blossoms, absolute sign of spring! there are a few down our street too...

Regina said...

How pretty!

Lee said...

Beautiful flowers, David! I don't know if we have a "wattle tree" in America but we have something that looks similar to what you've photographed called a "red bud tree." Ours bloom in spring too and yes, the pink to almost red blooms are right along the branches. So glad you've got spring coming. We have fall in our future but where I live it will still be almost as hot as summer for another month to 6 weeks...100 to 102 temperatures.

Enjoy your strolls!

Willow said...

Incredibly beautiful blossoms.

Luiz Santilli Jr said...

David
Your post is marvelous!
Thanks for posting for TODAY'S FLOWERS!

Luiz

Sistertex said...

Beautiful vivid blooms...just lovely photos of them.