Gift Wrapped
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Gift Wrapped
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
~Pierre Corneille [fr. Le Menteur]
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Agapanthus (African blue lily; Lily of the Nile)
Family : Amaryllidaceae
This South African native perennial bulb comes alive in the summertime, through to early autumn. It was brought to Europe in the 17th century, and has naturalized itself in different countries around the world (Australia, Great Britain, Mexico, Jamaica, and more)
There are not many blue flowers in the botanical world, but the agapanthus is one: its colours range from hues of blue, or they can be white.
While this flower is valued greatly as an ornamental, it does have medicinal qualities as well. The leaves have a substance used as a cardiac medicine, similar to but not as powerful as what the foxglove does. The leaves have also been used as a bandage to bring down fevers, and and as an anti-inflammatory (take care of the caustic sap within, though). It has also been considered to be an aphrodisiac.
The word agapanthus derives from the Greek word Agape, meaning Love; symbolically it represents generosity and devotion. Speaking of devotion, bees of course gravitate to it, and hummingbirds adore this flower so if you want them coming around your garden, you may want to plant this one.
Sources:
Clay Perry's Fantastic Flowers [Text M. Perry]
A Bloom A Day [R. Van Dongen]
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This is a bud, shooting its way up, slowly bursting itself out of its protective wrapper, preparing to open wide. When it is in full bloom, it will be a loose globe of colour that will provide visual appeal from a variety of angles, for above the supporting stem, the small flowers will spray themselves skyward very casually, sideways, and loosely down.
Taken in natural light .... Nature in all its splendour ;)
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Macro Photography
Fine Arts Professionals
Macro Marvels
The Most Beautiful Flowers Photography
Uploaded
December 14th, 2015
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Comments (28)
Connie Handscomb
Beth, thank you! for featuring this image in The Most Beautiful Flowers Photography :))
Sunil Kapadia
Marvelous capture and interpretation. Lovely colors, lighting and details. Classic. L/F Back from judging an All India Photo Contest.
Maggie Terlecki
I always love to see a different take in photography especially in florals. I love this unfurling with just that one soft leaf holding it's beauty to itself for one last moment! Beautiful work!
Connie Handscomb replied:
I love the details your eye takes in, Maggie; thank you so much for noticing! yes, there is one that is holding itself close, a little shy to let go .... I appreciate your support so very much!:))
Connie Handscomb
I'm so very behind in all things post-Christmas, Bruce! thank you for featuring this image in Macro Photography :))
Theresa Campbell
I really love the color blends on the flower and the background, and your title! LFTG!
Donna Kennedy
Stunning floral Connie, love the color and detail!...fav/love
Connie Handscomb replied:
My late Thank you, Donna! I'm like the hamster on the wheel .. running constantly to catch up {& never doing it!} :)))
Nick Boren
And it would be a perfect gift for many dear Connie. A macro image that is so wonderful. :-) FV
Connie Handscomb replied:
Scampering over .. wayy later, Nick! to thank you so very much for your kindness :))