Pastel Pretty
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Pastel Pretty
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment.
~ Ellis Peters
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Forsythia (Golden Bells ; Lian Qiao)
Family : Oleaceae (olive family)
One of the sure signs that springtime has arrived are the bright, happy blooms of forsythia. Forsythias are popular early spring flowering shrubs in gardens and parks. Except, perhaps, those in the city where I live ... sadly, the Parks staff have taken a dislike to them, and began systematically ripping them out a couple of years ago. These bright spots of colour in the parks that heralded our springtime, and provided homes and food for a number of small species have, as a consequence, rapidly disappeared.
Medicinally, the fruit from one species of forsythia is one of the fundamental herbs that has been used by Chinese herbalists for centuries (it is still used as a cold remedy in China), and it is also popular with homeopaths. It is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and is used for abscesses and boils, and to reduce fevers.
Forsythia is named after William Forsyth (1737-1804), a former Superintendent of the Royal Gardens at Kensington Palace, and one of the original founders of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Sources:
The Complete Medicinal Herbal [Penelope Brody]
Plants & Flowers [Simon & Schuster's Complete Guide; F. Perry]
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Taken in natural light ; uncropped ; and while the forsythia is an energetic, vividly coloured blossom, I adjusted the exposure so it settled down to become a quiet pastel. Nature in all its natural splendour.
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Global Flowers Photography
All Seasons Photography
All Springtime Photography
Thoughts of Flowers
Visions Of Spring
Fine Arts Professionals
Flower Mania
Macro Marvels
1 Weekly - ALL Stars
Greeting Cards For All Occasions
Uploaded
February 11th, 2016
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Viewed 412 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/23/2024 at 6:56 PM
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Comments (41)
Rachel Morrison
Love the softness and breathless quality of this image. The subtle differences in color and tone and represents very well the astonishment of spring.
Sharon McConnell
Beautiful work - sharing congratulations on your feature in the 1 Weekly ALL Stars!
Barbie Corbett-Newmin
Amazingly soft and artistic yet retaining clarity of detail!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Barbie .. & for your fantastic support; hope your springtime is enjoyable your way;))
Connie Handscomb
More thanks to you, Dianne! for featuring this image in All Springtime Photography as well; best to you!:))
Connie Handscomb
Dianne, thank you! really appreciate your featuring this image in All Seasons Photography :)))
Art Di
Fantastic artwork, as usually, dear Connie! l/f
Connie Handscomb replied:
Diana, dear, I am so pleased you like it; thank you so much! such lovely words .. today I do not feel all is so fantastic so you warmed my heart :))