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"Nosey" Bluebells


Photo Information
Copyright: Randy Dillinger (Dillinger) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 47 W: 18 N: 63] (217)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-10
Categories: Flowers
Exposure: f/2.8
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Blue Things II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-04-15 10:04
Viewed: 847
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
As I was reviewing pictures from my hike last weekend at McCormick's Creek State Park, I was really intrigued by this flower. I believe this is some variety of Bluebell, perhaps Virginia Bluebell, but the flowers have not yet opened. My wife saw this picture and said, "It looks like noses!"

Some information gleaned from Wikipedia about the Virginia Bluebell:

Scientific name is Mertensia virginica, a member of the Boraginaceae family. The latin name was given in honor of the German botanist Franz Mertens.

Common names include Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort Oysterleaf, and Roanoke Bells.

Virginia Bluebell is abundant in the Midwest USA and may also be found in the British Isles. These herbaceous plants grow best in moist, rich, and loamy soils. They can be found in upland forests, floodplain forests, wetlands, and bluffs. They prefer slight to full shade.

The single stem begins curled in shape and extends as it grows into an elegant arch to hold a blossom cluster. Flowering occurs in spring from March to May. Each blossom consists of five petals fused into a tubular shape. The bud begins with a pinkish shade that transforms into a blue-violet color as it matures. White blossoms occur rarely. The flower is approximately one inch deep with five stamens surrounding one central pistil; however, the reproductive organs are spaced too far from one another for self-fertilization. The flower can be pollinated by bumblebees, but due to its funnel shape, bumblebees must hover, making the bumblebee a rare pollinator. Butterflies are the most common pollinators, because they can easily perch on the edges and still enjoy the nectar. Each plant produces four wrinkled nuts containing seeds. The flowers die rather quickly, and the plants are usually dormant by early June.
roges, matatur, tuslaw, eqshannon, jusninasirun, Pitoncle, Pearl has marked this note useful
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To eqshannon: ThanksDillinger 2 04-22 17:45
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 598 W: 0 N: 523] (3096)
  • [2009-04-15 12:22]

Hi Randy !

A superb catch.
I like very much.
Congratulations.
Have a nice evening,
Adrian

Such a beautifully executed close up study of those Bluebells Randy, your viewpoint was perfect, selective focus sharp enough to reveal great details in colour and structure, yet the DOF was limited enough to render the BG nicely blurry, even that "face" is not very prominent, thank God!
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 604 W: 11 N: 1631] (5995)
  • [2009-04-15 18:47]

Hello Randy,
Superb capture! This flower has beautiful colors, just marvelous.. great POV... Well done

Everton

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 504 W: 20 N: 1385] (4841)
  • [2009-04-15 18:49]

Beautiful image Randy,
Love the composition and fine detail you captured. The colors are gorgeous and you achieved excellent DOF. I must agree with your wife, they do kind of resemble noses, especially the top centered pinkish one! Great work!!! TFS.
Ron

amazing close up, TFS Ori

I have 1800's relatives from Jay County...Many of them..maybe you're a cousin:-) Very nice flora. I have added it to the blue theme in which it fits nicely. Thanks so much for sharing your fine work!
Bob

Hi Randy.

The flower of Texas - captured so well with fine details and very good composition. The shallow depth is very well controlled in this shot.

TFS and best regards,
Jusni

Bonjour Randy,
Agréable macro permettant d'apprécier la finesse des détails et la délicatesse des couleurs.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

  • Great 
  • Pearl Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 85 W: 25 N: 45] (137)
  • [2009-05-18 9:45]

Hi Randy,

This is an interesting POV of the bluebells. Nice details, good lightngg, and lovely colors. The OOF BG is very nice. Good DOF and composition. TFS.

Pearl.

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