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BIRD OF PARADISE


BIRD OF PARADISE
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3289 W: 167 N: 9867] (32026)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09
Categories: Flowers
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-12-03 4:46
Viewed: 804
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
BIRD OF PARADISE

The 'Bird of Paradise' flower, (Strelitzia reginae), comes from the Banana family, of the family Musaceae.
The uniquely shaped flower of this exotic tropical perennial resembles a bird's head, and due to its brilliant orange and blue colors and unique shape, Strelitzia reginae is know as the Bird of Paradise Flower. Its other common name, Crane Flower, suggests its exotic avian shape.
Like many flamboyant and fascinating plants, the Bird of Paradise Flower is native to South Africa and it was introduced to European gardeners in 1773 when it was part of a shipment of horticultural specimens bound for the Royal Botanical Garden of King George III. Strelitzia reginae was named after the king's wife Queen ("reginea" in Latin) Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz ("Strelitzia").

Strelitzia reginae is a bold structural plant, which forms large evergreen clumps of stiff leaves growing up from the base. The grey-green banana like leaves grow about 1,5 m in height and the flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. Mature plants are very floriferous with blooming time in autumn, winter and spring. The structure and pollination of the flowers are rather interesting. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges, is called the spathe. This is placed at right angles to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of 3 brilliant orange sepals and 3 bright blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like depository of nectar. When the birds sit to have a drink of nectar, the petals open and cover their feet in pollen.

I photographed this plant in a public park in Mumbai, India. There was only one flower growing on the large plant. I have a feeling the blue part of it is missing here – either it has been vandalized or is yet to grow.

TFL
pablominto, pankajbajpai, anavazao, blakitan, dew77, mikou, jcoowanitwong, ghoshpp, fransie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hello RAM
très jolie fleur de paradis, bien vu bonnes couleurs nettes
bravo
merci et amitiès
edith

Hello Ram,
This easily reconnizable flower always impress with its beauty!
Well framed, lovely colour contrast in this fine composition, great lines!
And I agree, something is missing... maybe this one is still young!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Ram,

Nice colors. I have also seen similar flower with violet and orange shades. Must be related to this specie.

Regards,
Murali

Hello Ram,
This is a very colorful post! I really appreciated reading your notes as I learned many things that I didn't know about this flower. This is a good capture with nice details and DOF. I like this BG with the purple color too. Nice natural lightning, well done and TFS,
Claudine

hi,
nice post,
the colours are so lovely,
well composed shot,fine pov,
nice contrast and sharpness,
framed beautifully,
well done as usual,
tfs & regards
pankaj

woooooooooooooooooow!
Amazing colors and sharp detail in this shot! Very well composed! Take care Ana:)

Hello Ram, Another great colorful photo perfect colors, bg,pov DOF perfect details, very crisp, nicly composed and capture photo, great Job,

TFS Kyle

  • Great 
  • magal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 226 W: 0 N: 313] (1241)
  • [2006-12-03 11:49]

Hi Ram,
Beautiful shot in all respects; colours, composition, presentation - wonderful
TFS
Mark

Hi Ram,
Great capture.Vivid colours.Sharp, details and BG are excellent.Well composed.TFS.
Regards.

hAyati

Hi Ram,
Very neat image. Well composed picture and nicely framed. Nice vivid colors. DoF is also nice.
Nice shot and great PP works.

Ben Lakitan

Ram,

what an amazing array of colors,
great comp,

fototab

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-12-04 1:56]

Hello Ram,
Lovely capture.I liked POV,vivid colors,framing and composition a lot.
TFS..:-)

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 840 W: 67 N: 1311] (5269)
  • [2006-12-04 9:20]

Hi Ram.
I like him very much this composition. Even if there's not that flower whole,in the same way like the ones leaf behind him.Is that a pity,because blue part flower would your shot yet more decorate.
Very good POV, nice details and splendid colours.Very nice work.
TFS
Regards Milos

Hello Ram,
Very nice and smooth shot. Composition, sharpness, exposure are great. Very colorful and well appreciated picture. Regards,
JC

Hi Ram
Striking and very beautiful flower. Its a pity about the cut leave behind it with the white edge causing a bit of a distraction. Possibly next time some creative gardening? :)
TFS and regards.
Franscois

beautiful, the color is amazing, great details and nice POV. TFS
Donna :o)



thanks for your comment on my photo "December Storm -3 " :o)

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