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Strange name this flower has. Of course, long after the first frosts come, it is still recogniseable on the roadsides. But it sounds vaguely religious, doesn't it?
Pour 2018, je vous souhaite d’être entouré de ceux que vous aimez. Que 2018 soit une année riche en santé, joie et en bonheur durable.
La nature procure aux yeux attentifs les plus beaux spectacles du monde. La photographie ajoute au plaisir des yeux celui d'un divertissement sans fin. Bonne & Heureuse année à tous les habitants de la terre.
For 2018, I wish you to be surrounded by those you love. May 2018 be a year rich in health, joy and lasting happiness.
Nature provides attentive eyes with the most beautiful spectacles in the world. Photography adds to the pleasure of the eyes that of an endless entertainment. Happy and Happy New Year to all the inhabitants of the earth.
Demander pour utilisation merci - Ask for use thanks.
© Michel Guérin. Tous droits réservés - All rights reserved ©.
Merci beaucoup pour vos visites et commentaires ♥, thank you so much for the visit and kind comments.
SN/NC: Neomarica Gracilis, Iridaceae Family
Syn: Marica Caerulea, Cypella Caerulea, Galathea Speciosa, Trimezia Caerulea, Neomarica Northiana
One of the most beautiful blooms of spring comes from an unusual member of the Iris family — the walking iris (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica is a clumping perennial that reaches anywhere from 18 to 36 inches (45-90 cm.). And once you see its flowers, you will appreciate another of its common names—the poor man’s orchid (not to be confused with the Schizanthus poor man’s orchid). This exotic-looking plant with its graceful sword-like foliage has white, yellow or blue flowers that resemble a cross between those of an orchid and an iris. Although they are short lived, lasting only a day, numerous blooms continue to follow over an extended period of time throughout spring, summer and fall. Growing walking iris plants is a great way to enjoy these interesting flowers.
Una de las flores más hermosas de la primavera proviene de un miembro inusual de la familia Iris: el lirio caminante (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica es una planta perenne aglomerante que alcanza entre 18 y 36 pulgadas (45-90 cm). Y una vez que veas sus flores, apreciarás otro de sus nombres comunes: la orquídea del pobre (que no debe confundirse con la orquídea del pobre Schizanthus). Esta planta de aspecto exótico con su elegante follaje en forma de espada tiene flores blancas, amarillas o azules que se asemejan a un cruce entre las de una orquídea y un lirio. Aunque son de corta duración, ya que duran solo un día, numerosas floraciones continúan durante un período prolongado de tiempo durante la primavera, el verano y el otoño. Cultivar plantas de lirios andantes es una excelente manera de disfrutar de estas interesantes flores.
Uma das mais belas flores da primavera vem de um membro incomum da família Iris – a íris ambulante (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica é uma planta perene que atinge de 18 a 36 polegadas (45-90 cm). E ao ver suas flores, você apreciará outro de seus nomes comuns - a orquídea do pobre (não confundir com a orquídea do pobre Schizanthus). Esta planta de aparência exótica com sua graciosa folhagem em forma de espada tem flores brancas, amarelas ou azuis que lembram um cruzamento entre as de uma orquídea e uma íris. Embora tenham vida curta, durando apenas um dia, numerosas flores continuam a ocorrer por um longo período de tempo durante a primavera, verão e outono. Cultivar plantas de íris ambulantes é uma ótima maneira de apreciar essas flores interessantes.
Nomes populares no Brasil: Íris-da-praia, planta conhecida popularmente também como: íris caminhante, planta-dos-apóstolos, doze-apóstolos, lírio-branco-das-pedreiras, falso iris, pseudo iris azul e lírio-branco-das-pedras.
L'une des plus belles fleurs du printemps provient d'un membre inhabituel de la famille Iris - l'iris ambulant (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica est une plante vivace agglomérante qui atteint de 18 à 36 pouces (45 à 90 cm). Et une fois que vous aurez vu ses fleurs, vous apprécierez un autre de ses noms communs : l'orchidée du pauvre (à ne pas confondre avec l'orchidée du pauvre Schizanthus). Cette plante d'aspect exotique au feuillage gracieux en forme d'épée a des fleurs blanches, jaunes ou bleues qui ressemblent à un croisement entre celles d'une orchidée et d'un iris. Bien qu'elles soient de courte durée, ne durant qu'une journée, de nombreuses floraisons continuent de suivre sur une longue période de temps tout au long du printemps, de l'été et de l'automne. Cultiver des plantes d'iris ambulants est un excellent moyen de profiter de ces fleurs intéressantes.
Een van de mooiste bloemen van de lente komt van een ongewoon lid van de Iris-familie: de wandelende iris (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica is een klonterende vaste plant die ergens tussen de 18 en 36 inch (45-90 cm) reikt. En als je eenmaal de bloemen ziet, zul je een andere veel voorkomende naam waarderen: de orchidee van de arme man (niet te verwarren met de Schizanthus-orchidee van de arme man). Deze exotisch ogende plant met sierlijk zwaardachtig blad heeft witte, gele of blauwe bloemen die het midden houden tussen die van een orchidee en een iris. Hoewel ze van korte duur zijn en slechts een dag duren, blijven er in de lente, zomer en herfst talloze bloemen volgen gedurende een langere periode. Het kweken van wandelende irisplanten is een geweldige manier om van deze interessante bloemen te genieten.
Una delle più belle fioriture primaverili proviene da un insolito membro della famiglia degli Iris: l'iris ambulante (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica è una pianta perenne agglomerante che raggiunge ovunque da 18 a 36 pollici (45-90 cm.). E una volta che vedrai i suoi fiori, apprezzerai un altro dei suoi nomi comuni: l'orchidea del povero (da non confondere con l'orchidea del povero Schizanthus). Questa pianta dall'aspetto esotico con il suo grazioso fogliame simile a una spada ha fiori bianchi, gialli o blu che ricordano un incrocio tra quelli di un'orchidea e di un iris. Sebbene siano di breve durata, durano solo un giorno, numerose fioriture continuano a seguire per un lungo periodo di tempo durante la primavera, l'estate e l'autunno. Coltivare piante di iris ambulanti è un ottimo modo per godersi questi fiori interessanti.
Eine der schönsten Frühlingsblüten stammt von einem ungewöhnlichen Mitglied der Schwertlilienfamilie – der Wanderiris (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica ist eine klumpende Staude, die irgendwo zwischen 18 und 36 Zoll (45-90 cm) erreicht. Und sobald Sie ihre Blüten sehen, werden Sie einen anderen ihrer gebräuchlichen Namen zu schätzen wissen – die Orchidee des armen Mannes (nicht zu verwechseln mit der Orchidee des armen Mannes Schizanthus). Diese exotisch aussehende Pflanze mit ihrem anmutigen, schwertähnlichen Laub hat weiße, gelbe oder blaue Blüten, die einer Kreuzung zwischen Orchidee und Iris ähneln. Obwohl sie nur von kurzer Dauer sind und nur einen Tag dauern, folgen zahlreiche Blüten über einen längeren Zeitraum im Frühling, Sommer und Herbst. Der Anbau von Walking Iris-Pflanzen ist eine großartige Möglichkeit, diese interessanten Blumen zu genießen.
واحدة من أجمل أزهار الربيع تأتي من عضو غير عادي من عائلة Iris - قزحية المشي (Neomarica gracilis). Neomarica عبارة عن نبات معمر متكتل يصل في أي مكان من 18 إلى 36 بوصة (45-90 سم). وبمجرد أن ترى أزهارها ، ستقدر اسمًا آخر من الأسماء الشائعة - أوركيد الرجل الفقير (لا ينبغي الخلط بينه وبين سحلية الرجل الفقير من شيزانتوس). هذا النبات ذو المظهر الغريب بأوراقه الرشيقة التي تشبه السيف لها أزهار بيضاء أو صفراء أو زرقاء تشبه تقاطع أزهار الأوركيد والقزحية. على الرغم من أنها قصيرة العمر ، وتستمر ليوم واحد فقط ، إلا أن العديد من الإزهار تستمر في المتابعة على مدى فترة طويلة من الزمن طوال الربيع والصيف والخريف. تعد زراعة نباتات السوسن طريقة رائعة للاستمتاع بهذه الزهور الممتعة.
春の最も美しい花の 1 つは、アヤメ科の珍しいメンバーである歩くアヤメ (Neomarica gracilis) から来ます。 Neomarica は、18 ～ 36 インチ (45 ～ 90 cm) の範囲に達する群生する多年草です。 そして、その花を見ると、もう 1 つの一般的な名前である貧乏人蘭 (Schizanthus 貧乏人蘭と混同しないでください) に気付くでしょう。 優雅な剣のような葉を持つこのエキゾチックな植物には、ランとアイリスの交配に似た白、黄色、または青の花があります。 開花期間は 1 日と短命ですが、春、夏、秋と長期間にわたって多数の花が咲き続けます。 歩くアヤメの植物を育てることは、これらの興味深い花を楽しむのに最適な方法です.
China, Harbin, City Impressions,…boats frozen in & dogs on the almost 1mtr thick icecap lasting until late spring along the embankment of the Song Hua River.
The "Chow Chows" in their homeland. This dog breed is originally from northern China, his fur protects perfect from the cold & snow during the long winter month. The fur is particularly thick in the neck area, therefore the dogs, besides a few other double names, are also called "ShĪziquăn" - Lion dog or "xiónggŏu" - bear dog.
.....after all, a perfect for a walk at 10 am into a new day as the sun breaks through the morning haze & crisp dry air with -24°C / -12.6°F below zero ….. ⦂⚪)‘
Heilongjiang Province, the most northeast part of China, when viewed on a map has the shape of a swan. Its capital city is Harbin, which is located south of Heilongjiang.
Not only for its special position, but also as the centre of Heilongjiang's political, economic, educational & cultural life, Harbin is described as the pearl beneath the swan's neck. Lying on the east of the Songnen Plain, what is more, Harbin plays a vital role in communications between South & North Asia as well the regions of Europe & the Pacific Ocean.
Harbin was the birthplace of Jin, 1115-1234 & Qing, 1644-1911, Dynasties, the latter of which had a very considerable influence on modern Chinese history.
At the end of the 19th century, Russia built the terminus of the Middle East Railway here. Later, more than 160,000 foreigners from 33 countries migrated to Harbin, promoting the development of a capitalist economy in the city. The economy & culture of Harbin achieved unprecedented prosperity at that time & the city gradually grew into a famous international commercial port. Assimilating external culture, Harbin created its unique & exotic cityscape. The majestic St. Sofia Orthodox Church & Zhongyang Dajie each built in a European style have the effect of bringing you into an 'eastern Moscow'. Even though you are sure to be attracted by various exotic buildings, the Dragon Tower which embodies the wisdom of the Chinese people is a must on your journey.
Besides these rich cultural heritages, Harbin is favoured with beautiful natural scenery. Based on meandering Song Hua River & subject to severe low temperatures in winter, down to -30°C, when I took this Pictures the Temperature varied between -20°C & -26°C but dry air, Harbin boasts a unique ice & snow culture. So, Harbin is also called the "Ice City".
The impressive "Ice & Snow Festival" is the greatest & unusual one in the world, therefor Harbin is also called the "Ice City".
As well the large Siberian Tiger & white tigers research centre, with about 500 tigers & a few other species, does an important work to prevent this species from extinction. The Research centre can be visited, tours in small a bus are available, passing through wide natural, separated, sections, however the focus point is to save the tigers.
👉 One World one Dream,
🙏...Danke, Xièxie 谢谢, Thanks, Gracias, Merci, Grazie, Obrigado, Arigatô, Dhanyavad, Chokrane to you & over
15 million visits in my photostream with countless motivating comments
Would you believe this Anthurium plant has been in bloom since July, last Month I brought the plant in the kitchen with this only flower that started to bloom in the beginning of August, now that is what I call long lasting Love:-)
Happy Sunday!
Länna church, outside Norrtälje, Sweden.
Summer 2021.
Rollei infrared 400, Nikon F-801, SRB IR720, Nikkor 28mm f2.8.
Lab developed.
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Commonly known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of orchids in the family orchid. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines. A few to many, small to large, long-lasting, flat, often fragrant flowers are arranged on erect to hanging racemes or panicles. The sepals and petals are free from and spread widely apart from each other. The lateral sepals are usually larger than the dorsal sepal and the petals much wider than the sepals. The labellum is joined stiffly to the column and has three lobes. The side lobes are erect and more or less parallel to each other and the middle lobe sometimes has a pair of appendages or antennae. 67284
A long and lasting love
Not many people find it
But those who do their whole life through
Put their heart and soul behind it…
Love locks along the banks of the Mississippi river, New Orleans
The birth of modern sculpture
Constantin Brancusi (Hobita, Romania 1876-1957 Paris, France) is seen as the founder of modern sculpture. Following an academic art education in Romania, he traveled across Europe to settle in Paris at the age of 28. There, he was spotted by sculptor Auguste Rodin and worked briefly as one of his assistants in 1907 before leaving to pursue his own ideas.
Over the next few years, Brancusi invented a new approach to sculpture that was to have a lasting influence. His idiom emphasized direct carving and polishing to reveal the quintessence of his materials (stone, wood, plaster and bronze). He intended the simplicity of his forms to transcend outward appearances and express universal archetypes. Their elementary geometry is constantly invigorated by stacking plinths and bases on top of each other and by creating a a play of reflections that draws the viewer into the work.
(…) Arranged in seven sections, the exhibition (the first Brancusi retrospective in the Netherlands in 50 years) showcases the major revolutions brought about by Brancusi: transcending the visible, reinventing portraiture and animal sculpture, and exploiting the relationship of the sculpture to space, the ambiguity of forms, the play of light, and seriality.
Source: info panel at the exhibition’s entrance
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The essence
Soon after arriving in Paris in 1904, Constatin Brancusi broke with academic tradition and the influence of Auguste Rodin to invent a radically new sculptural idiom. He abandoned modelling in clay in favor of direct carving and patient polishing. Seaking to get closer to "the real meaning of things", he arrived at simple, streamlined forms.
In the 'Sleeping Muses' (Muses endormies) and the 'Children's heads' (Têtes d'enfants), the body is fragmented and the details almost eliminated. His new esthetic recalls both the archaïc sculptures that Brancusi could see at the Louvre Museum and sea worn pebbles. The sculpture becomes a universal symbol uniting ancient and modern, nature and culture, figuration and abstraction.
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Sleeping Muse, 1910
Source: Text accompanying the work in the exhibition
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De geboorte van de moderne beeldhouwkunst
Constantin Brancusi (Hobita, Roemenië 1876-1957 Parijs, Frankrijk) wordt beschouwd als de grondlegger van de moderne beeldhouwkunst. Na een academische kunstopleiding in Roemenië reisde hij door Europa en vestigde zich op 28-jarige leeftijd in Parijs. Daar werd hij opgemerkt door beeldhouwer Auguste Rodin en werkte hij in 1907 kort als een van diens assistenten, voordat hij vertrok om zijn eigen ideeën na te streven.
In de daaropvolgende jaren ontwikkelde Brancusi een nieuwe benadering van beeldhouwen die een blijvende invloed zou hebben. Zijn stijl legde de nadruk op direct beeldhouwen en polijsten om de essentie van zijn materialen (steen, hout, gips en brons) te onthullen. Hij wilde dat de eenvoud van zijn vormen de uiterlijke verschijningsvormen overstijgt en universele archetypen uitdrukt. De elementaire geometrie wordt voortdurend versterkt door het stapelen van sokkels en bases en door een spel van reflecties te creëren dat de kijker in het werk trekt.
(…) De tentoonstelling (de eerste Brancusi-retrospectief in Nederland in 50 jaar), die in zeven secties is opgedeeld, toont de belangrijkste revoluties die Brancusi teweegbracht: het overstijgen van het zichtbare, het heruitvinden van portretkunst en dierensculptuur, en het benutten van de relatie tussen sculptuur en ruimte, de ambiguïteit van vormen, het spel van licht en serialiteit.
Bron: informatiepaneel bij de ingang van de tentoonstelling.
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De essentie
Kort na zijn aankomst in Parijs in 1904 brak Constantin Brancusi met de academische traditie en de invloed van Auguste Rodin om een radicaal nieuwe beeldhouwstijl te ontwikkelen. Hij liet het modelleren in klei achter zich en koos voor direct beeldhouwen en geduldig polijsten. Op zoek naar "de ware betekenis van dingen" kwam hij tot eenvoudige, gestroomlijnde vormen.
In de 'Slapende Muzen' (Muses endormies) en de 'Kinderhoofden' (Têtes d'enfants) is het lichaam gefragmenteerd en zijn de details vrijwel verdwenen. Zijn nieuwe esthetiek doet denken aan zowel de archaïsche sculpturen die Brancusi in het Louvre zag als aan door de zee afgesleten kiezels. De sculptuur wordt een universeel symbool dat oud en modern, natuur en cultuur, figuratie en abstractie verenigt.
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Slapende muze, 1910
Bron: Tekst bij het werk in de tentoonstelling
I feel like I captured an emotion with this one. I suspect they traveled here for a cruise. hope they have a long and wonderful life together.. I am curious if other like to capture strangers showing their love. Its very romantic and really reminds me of the blessed life my wife and I live.
Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), is a tall, cow parsley-like plant with thick bristly stems that are often purple-blotched. It can reach a height of 3.5m (11.5ft) when the flat-topped flowers appear, and has a spread of about 1m (3.5ft). It is usually biennial, forming a rosette of jagged, lobed leaves in the first year, before sending up a flower spike in the second. After flowering the plant usually dies, but not before spreading its seeds.
It is a member of the parsley or carrot family, Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Except for size, it closely resembles cow parsnip, Heracleum lanatum.
Although it makes an impressive plant, it is invasive and potentially harmful - chemicals in the sap can cause ‘photodermatitis’ or ‘photosensitivity’; the skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight and may suffer blistering, pigmentation and long-lasting scars.
The following from Plantzafrica.com
Gladiolus alatus L.
Family: Iridaceae
Common names: common kalkoentjie, turkey-wattle flower (Eng.); kalkoentjie, kipkippies (Afr.)
Gladiolus alatus is a very brightly coloured plant and will catch your eye wherever you walk, with its showy orange, yellow and green flowers. It populates the sandy flats of the Western Cape.
Description
Gladiolus alatus is a compact perennial with corms approximately 10-20 mm across and covered with a reddish brown or brown membrane. The stem is slender, winged, usually 80-300 mm high and sometimes branched. The leaves are firm, sickle-shaped and ribbed, usually in clusters of 4 or 5, 80-400 mm long.
This species bears fragrant, 2-lipped, bright orange flowers with the upper tepals held upright. It also has 3 lower tepals, which are greenish yellow towards the base, and a tube 90-140 mm long. Stamens and anthers arise near the middle of the tube. Flowers are short-lived, lasting about a week. This species flowers in spring, from August to October.
Distribution and habitat
Gladiolus alatus is frequently seen in the Cape winter-rainfall area, and can be found widespread from southern Namaqualand south to the Cape Peninsula and east to Caledon and Bredasdorp. This species occurs on sandy or gravel flats and hill slopes, as well as plateaus. It can tolerate high temperatures and also a lot of water in the winter. This species also favours stony sandstone and granitic soils.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Gladiolus in Latin means 'small sword', referring to the sword-shaped leaves of this plant. Alatus, Latin for 'winged', refers to the wing-shaped leaves and seeds. There are about 250 species of Gladiolus in Africa and Madagascar and into Eurasia, with about 160 species confined inside the borders of Southern Africa, about 100 of which are endemic to the Cape winter-rainfall area. This species is known as kalkoentjie, meaning little turkey, because its flowers resemble the wattle of a turkey. Gladiolus alatus was one of the first gladioli to be illustrated.
Ecology
The bright colours and sweetly scented flowers of Gladiolus alatus can attract its pollinators from far away. Good observations have shown that the solitary bee primarily pollinates this plant in search of nectar. In this way pollen is transferred from one plant to another.
Certain species of Gladiolus in the Western Cape grow inside clumps of restios, which offer them protection from grazing animals and moles. The fruit of this plant matures quickly and all the seeds have a broad membranous wing, which contains air pockets, and ensures lightness, thus making it easier for the seeds to disperse and germinate.
A gentle stroll into town just to take some photographs. 5th April 2025. Orange Filter on the Q2M today. M1008527
This Image was taken just in front of my hotel at Port Isaac, spend a wonderful few days chilling in Cornwall. more to folllow soon :-]
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My final sunset of 2009 was a memorable one. I've already posted an image from this night once the sky turned more red and with a different rock from Death Valley's Racetrack Playa.
Here is another image from earlier in the evening when the sky turned a nice shade of gold while the sky was still blue, a perfect time to use the Singh-Ray Gold-N-Blue polarizer to accentuate these colors.
Most shots you see from the Racetrack use the rock as the focal point, but here, I thought the track and the impression the rock made (for who knows how long it sat there) were more interesting. I also liked how the rock had changed course, as if to direct me to where the sun was setting.
My frist trip to Death Valley was a memorable one and it certainly left a lasting impression.
Nikon D300
Nikkor 12-24mm @ 12mm
1sec @ f16, ISO 100
Singh-Ray Gold-N-Blue Polarizer
Singh-Ray 3-stop Reverse GND Filter
Petersfriedhof Catacombs
Lasting Impressions: The Catacombs
A highlight of St. Peter’s Cemetery are the catacombs, which are hewn out of the Mönchsberg itself and date back to late antiquity. The mystical caves served both as hermitages as well as burial sites. These Early Christian catacombs may be visited year-round. The entrance is located at the graves of Mozart’s sister Nannerl and Michael Haydn. After 48 steps you find “Gertrauden Chapel”, dating back to 1178. 36 further steps up lies the “Maximus Chapel”
www.salzburg.info/en/sights/churches-cemeteries/st-peters...
International criminal court / The Hague / The Netherlands
This is one of the new buildings of the International Criminal Court in The Hague (see link below). It is situated at the edge of the dunes and after finishing the buildings the dune nature around the buildings was restored. It was Friday evening, so almost nobody was working there anymore. The size of the building, the plants in and around the building, the bird on the roof and the sunset sky created for me a surreal mood.
From their website www.icc-cpi.int/about:
"Justice is a key prerequisite for lasting peace. International justice can contribute to long‐term peace, stability and equitable development in post‐conflict societies. These elements are foundational for building a future free of violence."
www.icc-cpi.int/about/how-the-court-works/Pages/default.a...
The lasting legacy of the Cherokee people on Sawnee Mountain includes three worn indentions in a large granite slab near the summit, now known as the Indian Seats.
This location was used as a lookout site used by both Creek and Cherokee Indians, and artifacts from earlier indigenous tribes have been evidenced from as early as 500 B.C.
Things starting to get back to normal at home after 6 months of builders in my house... the results are terrific but its been time consuming and as it all came to an end it was my turn to put a lot into it, making soft furnishings etc. and my sewing machine has had its first outing for many years. I still have another piece to make but I'm waiting for fabric so I have a little breather.
We've had a little bit of an Indian summer after the worst actual summer for several years, so I was out yesterday with my camera for the first time in ages. I saw this couple hand in hand....
BTW, thanks for the touching messages some of you have sent while I've been absent, I did read them, even if I didn't reply. I really was touched that anyone should care.
IMG_5736
The last regatta in Scott's High School rowing career. The last of many last early morning drives
One more impression of teamwork and dedication.
Multiple exposures in camera.
Placing a coin in a champagne cork and giving it to the bride and groom is meant as a lasting remembrance of their wedding day. This wedding tradition is associated with the United Kingdom. The giving of coins to a newly married couple also signifies wishing them prosperity.
In different countries, there are many wedding traditions associated with the giving of coins. In Sweden, it is a custom for a mother to give her daughter a gold coin on her wedding day to place in her right shoe. The bride's father gives her a silver coin, which she puts in her left shoe. These coins symbolize the wish that the daughter never be lacking. Other countries, such as Spain, Lithuania and Poland, have wedding traditions associated with the giving of coins.
ODC-Windowsill
Pearl's hair has grown so much this summer. I watered her today. I do it rarely and that is why her pearls have lasted.
Magnolia [deciduous]
Magnolia × soulangeana (Magnolia denudata × Magnolia liliiflora), the saucer magnolia, is a hybrid flowering plant in the genus Magnolia and family Magnoliaceae. It is a deciduous tree with large, early-blooming flowers in various shades of white, pink, and purple. It is one of the most commonly used magnolias in horticulture, being widely planted in the British Isles, especially in the south of England; and in the United States, especially the east and west coasts.[1]
Description
Magnolia × soulangeana April 2011.jpg
Saucer magnolia at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (81274s).jpg
Growing as a multistemmed large shrub or small tree, Magnolia × soulangeana has alternate, simple, shiny, dark green oval-shaped leaves on stout stems. Its flowers emerge dramatically on a bare tree in early spring, with the deciduous leaves expanding shortly thereafter, lasting through summer until autumn.[1]
Magnolia × soulangeana flowers are large, commonly 10–20 cm (4–8 in) across, and colored various shades of white, pink, and maroon. An American variety, 'Grace McDade' from Alabama, is reported to bear the largest flowers, with a 35 cm (14 in) diameter, white tinged with pinkish-purple.[1] Another variety, Magnolia × soulangeana 'Jurmag1', is supposed to have the darkest and tightest flowers. The exact timing and length of flowering varies between named varieties, as does the shape of the flower. Some are globular, others a cup-and-saucer shape.
Hybrid origin
Magnolia × soulangeana was initially bred by French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin (1774–1846), a retired cavalry officer in Napoleon's army, at his château de Fromont near Paris. He crossed Magnolia denudata with M. liliiflora in 1820, and was impressed with the resulting progeny's first precocious flowering in 1826.[2][3]
Many times, Soulange-Bodin is cited as the author of this hybrid name, rarely with a reference to a publication however. If a source is given, it is often an English translation of a French title (see for example Callaway, D.J. (1994), World of Magnolias: 204). Soulange-Bodin certainly did not name the hybrid after himself. The name was proposed by members of the Société Linnéenne de Paris and published by Arsène Thiébaud de Berneaud, the secretary of the society, in Relation de la cinquième fête champêtre célébré le 24 mai 1826 in: Comte-Rendu des Travaux de la Société Linnéenne de Paris 1826: 269.[disputed – discuss]
One of my lasting memories of Portugal will be the beautiful sunsets. Every night was different & every night was beautiful.
This ancient holloway near Halnaker on the South Downs (UK) is the perfect example of human activity and nature working together to create a lasting impression on the landscape. The use of heavy carts, the herding of livestock and regular human footfall since ancient times has lowered the level of the lane through erosion, whilst the trees and bushes that line the lane grow up and over to create a wonderful tunnel effect.