Monday, August 31, 2009

Purple Haze

Great Buddleia, Buddy

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON



This is one of the common buddleia varieties that grow profusely around Victoria, my home state, as winter starts to draw to a close. This bush isn’t actually on our property, but I watched it sprout its first tendrils of colour about four or five weeks ago – and watched and watched and watched as the colour slowly began to suffuse the actual foliage.

These shots were taken about ten days ago. It was a cloudy day and I figured the conditions would be perfect to shoot some images that captured the striking colour and formation of the tiny blossoms.


Yes, sunlight is a photographer’s ally, but I often find a cloudy sky above me is a great way to capture intricacies that might otherwise be washed out or, on the other hand, saturated in bright sunlight.


How big is each individual blossom? About two to three millimeters across, that’s all. So, since I was using a standard lens (my favourite Sigma 18-125mm) rather than a macro, I opted for a range of views that would depict hue and form, rather than true close-ups.


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

34 comments:

CiCi said...

Outstanding color photos! It must be beautiful where you live.

Maggie May said...

Buddleia makes a beautiful picture and it attracts the butterflies. It is very common to see it here and it sometimes grows where it is not supposed to. My neighbour has it growing from is chimney stack (which might affect us in time).
great photos.

Willow said...

Lovely bush, that buddleia. I will be watching my community now to see if I can spot one over here.

Unknown said...

david...truly, you captured the absolute beauty of this Butterfly Bush. I have two beds of them in my back yard, one bed has white blossoms, the other bed is filled with 'black knight' (midnight blue) variety.
Niely done!
~AM

Charles Gramlich said...

My eyes just drown in that color.

Regina said...

Love the color. Beautiful captures!

ArtistUnplugged said...

Beautiful purple flowers...love he color.

Rosaria Williams said...

Thanks for the introduction of a flower/bush I'm not familiar with. I shall keep my eyes open.

Rosaria Williams said...

Ah, somebody called it a butterfly bush. That might help me spot it in the nurseries.

Boozy Tooth said...

A guy who appreciates beauty in it's most natural form is okay in my book.

Gorgeous photos.

{Funny, but I can't get actress Bonnie Bedelia off my mind now!}

imac said...

Nice selection David, beautiful sharp photos

Madame DeFarge said...

Lovely flowers and great detail in the shot.

Lori ann said...

Beautiful photos of a beautiful flower. I love the buddleia, you must have many butterflies then?

NitWit1 said...

Love the flower and description as I am not familiar with it.

Hilary said...

Just beautiful. I love their simplicity and especially the colour.

Joanna Jenkins said...

The tiny flowers are so delicate. Beautiful!

Nance said...

My first time to see buddleia! a very gorgeous flower. thanks for sharing, David.

Gunilla said...

Beautiful flowers and the colour is fantastic. Tanks for sharing

Gunilla in Sweden

Maureen said...

Wow, lovely. I wish our winters were as mild as yours!

Naturegirl said...

David wonderful captures! How nice that you are into your Spring as we here in Canada are heading into autumn! Enjoy your day! NG

A New England Girl said...

Those colors and textures are absolutely magnificent. What gorgeous photos! :)

Sande said...

We have 'lellow ones in my garden ...:)

Brian Miller said...

wow. love the vivid colors in these shots!

Leora said...

What a wonderful flower - how nice to have it grow near your home.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

I haven't seen that one before. The color is great. Totally different from our Buddleia.

Unknown said...

I just love Buddleia, I have planted three in our garden and they do just great. It's such a hardy and yet beautiful plant and with a purpose. Love your piccies.

Kathleen said...

So beautiful I wept.

(I'm such a pushover.)

PS: Thank you, David, for the POTD mention about the knee surgery. I was incommunicado when you posted or I would have thanked you profusely earlier.

Cheers!

Jennifer said...

Beautiful photos! Such vibrant purple color!

Mimi said...

Beautiful photographs. The combination of colour is stunning.
I've known Buddleia as "butterfly bush", which has it's merits, but I think I'll plant it for its own beauty now- hope it would grow in Ireland.

Mia N said...

Impressive flower, good color.

Tulip said...

lovely purple flowers, great post.

my entry http://southbrowneyes.blogspot.com/

Arija said...

David, and I thught you knew your flowers!
That is Hardenbergia violacea, an Australian native, named after Franziska Countess von Hardenberg.

Cheffie-Mom said...

Beautiful! I love the color!

spacedlaw said...

A lovely spray!