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Early Spring Fritillary


Early Spring Fritillary
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Cassidy (accassidy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 103 W: 79 N: 297] (1070)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-10
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Nikon D80, Nikon 60mm F/2.8 macro, 62 mm UV
Exposure: f/8, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Flower(purple/violet) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-10 4:20
Viewed: 404
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Snake's-head Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris

Description: Perennial of undisturbed water meadows. Height up to 30cm. Very locally abundant in Southern England. Grey-green leaves narrow and grass-like. Nodding, bell-shaped flowers on thin stems April­May; colour variable, usually pink-purple with dark chequered markings.

Perhaps it is another symptom of global warming, but this year's Snakes Head Fritillaries have started to appear already. Clearly they do not know that they are supposed to wait another month before showing their heads. This flower is about to open to its full bell-shaped form and is just amazingly fresh in the morning dew today. The picture has been cropped, resized and sharpened for TN.

The British have an odd way with nature sometimes. Here is an amusing story concenring this flower and a small village in Oxfordshire. In cas eyou have time to read it...

If you go to Ducklington in Oxfordshire on a certain day between the end of April and late May, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. the normally quiet village centre is packed, there's hardly a free seat in the pub and the church hall is full of people taking tea. In fact, people visit Ducklington from all over the country to see one of our most beautiful and rarest flowers - the snake's head fritillary. Its wetland habitat was subjected to great pressure during the "Ploughing for Victory" campaign of the second world war and further drainage for agriculture has reduced the flower to just a handful of places such as Magdalen Meadows in Oxford and North Meadow in Cricklade, Wiltshire.

The flower is held in particular affection by the population of Ducklington, who, with the other visitors, like to wander, head down, across the fritillary meadow admiring the purple and sometimes white blooms. Tea-towels can be bought along with mugs and potted cultivars, there is an exhibition and the vicar, David Winter, will take pleasure in showing you the fritillary represented in the stained glass vestry window, the carvings on the pews and pulpits, as well as a wedding dress displayed in the church embroidered with images of the flower. It was worn by the daughter of the lord of the manor for her wedding in Westminster Abbey.

The meadow in which the flowers grow is leased to a local farmer who manages it for hay. He is obliged by contract, however, not to cut the grass before the fritillaries have flowered and seeded, guaranteeing the continuation of the flower and the event in the following year. Those who enjoy Morris dancing should note the purple and yellow ribbons on the sleeves of the dancers, which represent the purple of the fritillaries as well as the yellow of the dandelions which are their neighbours. The women's team similarly sport purple breeches and waistcoats.
jusninasirun, Argus, oanaotilia, goldyrs, gerbilratz has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To goldyrs: Thanksaccassidy 1 03-10 09:38
To jusninasirun: Oxfordshire Madnessaccassidy 1 03-10 05:06
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Alan. Oh yes, I read the whole notes in italics - interesting story indeed. So you have captured the fuss in Oxfordshire very well here. Excellent softness and vivid details making it a very pleasant sight. Well done and best regards. Jusni

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2487 W: 132 N: 7075] (22101)
  • [2008-03-10 5:17]

Hello Alan,
Excellent choice of flower for a lepidopterist! It is also an excellent image well composed with superb sharpness and lighting.
The Snake's head Fritillary is found near Uppsala in Sweden where it was thought to have been introduced before Linnaeus' time.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2008-03-10 6:27]

Hi Alan,
a very well composed floral shot, i love the soft curves of the leaves and the stunning colors of the pedal.
Great job isolating this flower from the OOF BG.
Details are crisp and sharp.
Very well done.
Sky

Alan,
A very nice shot, composed very well, indeed!This is something I've never seen before.
Thanks so much for sharing!
regards,
Goldy

very nice flower...wonderful to see at anytime, good composition and nicely framed/cropped...TFS

Bellissima immagine, elegante e raffinata composizione, ottimi dettagli e colori. Complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Preciosa Alan, con buena luz y definición así como con unos colores limpios. Delicado y correcto encuadre para una especie que me inspira siempre misterio :-) Aquí tenemos una especie parecida, pero esta no la había visto nunca.
Saludos : Josep Ignasi Tejedor.

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