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Snowdrops
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Snowdrop - Galanthus nivalus
Our native variety is Galanthus nivalis, the snowy milk-flower (the scientific name is Latinised Greek followed by Latin). It is a member of the lily family, closely related to the daffodil. It has certainly been here a long time, at least since the early Middle Ages, and the reason we know that is because most of all, snowdrops in Britain seem to be associated with faith: they cluster around churchyards and old religious foundations, ruined abbeys and priories.
Many such sites have splendid snowdrop displays, no doubt because they were planted on purpose, as the flowers had a strong association with a specific feast of the Church: Candlemas, which fell on (2 February, 40 days after Christmas). Candlemas is the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, according to Jewish law, 40 days after the birth of her child, and a special veneration of the mother of Christ. Before the Reformation, parishioners formed in procession on Candlemas day, and brought their candles to be blessed, lit, and set before the Virgin's statue.
It is not hard to imagine how, on a typically gloomy February day in a medieval church that was fairly dark anyway, this must have provided a spectacle of brightness that left onlookers quite spellbound. It must have been the brightest moment, quite literally, of the whole year. Then the precious candles were taken home, to ward off evil spirits.
It is easy to imagine, too, how snowdrops were the perfect flower for the feast, flawless symbols of purity and cleanliness, and what pleasure must have been taken in gathering them, or in merely having them growing around a church on the day itself. They were known then as Candlemas bells.
For most of us, Candlemas and its traditions are long gone, but the flower whose plantings it inspired lives on to remind us that winter is ending. |
dejo, cataclysta, SunToucher, JRushen has marked this note useful
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beautiful pic, great light, great sharpness and perfect composition! TFS Ori
- dejo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 355 W: 51 N: 476]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2056) - [2008-02-12 7:35]
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hello Terry,
beautiful picture! I like the background and great ligt on the flowers!
The POV & composition are also very good!
great work,
Hi Terry
Great warm light, good composition. Good DOF I like OOF backgound and foreground
Very good shot
Best wishes
Krzysztof
Hi Terry,
I love the lighting in this photo. it gave the snowdrops such a wonderful warm feeling. Your flat on the belly POV is perfect and made this small flowers look huge. You got a spot on DOF and exposure. I still need to find the first flowering in my neck of the woods.
TFS,
Niek
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- lousat
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1003 W: 6 N: 2707]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(10057) - [2008-02-12 13:06]
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Hi Terry,i like a lot this flowera but first i like your way to show us,wonderfull soft pic,perfect shaprness and colours,and a great springtime's signal,thanks for share,Luciano
Lovely shot of beautiful Spring flower.
