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‘Cape hyacinth’, a species of Galtania, with white flowers indicate in its own way, “I’ll pray for you“.
Some flowers have interesting mythological sources of nomenclature. Hyacinth is a bulbous plant (‘Hyacinthus’) derived from the name of a beautiful Spartan youth, accidentally killed by Apollo, the sun god, while playing quoits; from his blood, sprang the beautiful flower- hyacinth. Whilst this flower is found in an assortment of hues, from the tragic tale of its name, the purple hyacinth stands as a symbol of sorrow, a request for forgiveness. According to another legend, the wind god Zephyr, out of jealousy, blew the discus to kill Hyacinth. From his blood sprang a flower, which was named for him.
The wild hyacinth (also called the English blue-bell) and the grape hyacinth are other varieties of the same family. While scientifically hyacinth is now considered a potential area of food research, the red or pink hyacinth in flower-language indicates play, games, and sports. In fact, the yellow leaves symbolise jealousy and the blue hyacinth represents constancy. In language, the term ‘hyacinthine’ is derived from the flower-source, meaning anything as lovely as Hyacinthus or of a colour variously understood as purple, purple-blue, even golden.
The Great Blue Herons have returned to their nests high in the trees on Wildwing Lake. During my visit, the herons were very vocal and were settling their territorial disputes. I even had the thrill of seeing and hearing a few Sandhill Cranes that have returned to the park.
This was a hard day for me. I ended it, lonely, on West Queen West with a newspaper and a pint. Maybe it's fitting to start this year of photography on the first day of Spring, on the eve of a bittersweet anniversary.
I wonder, a year from now, if I'll remember all this in the same way?
Well we got about 8-10 inches of lovely snow last night to usher in the first day of spring! You gotta love it!
March 20, 2021 - Chino Hills State Park. Photo Shoot with Ayla Qureshi, Leticia Hernandez, and Andrea Parsons.
"I can think of few plants that add as much to the winter garden as the incredible Edgeworthia Chrysantha and I hope everyone will add one to the garden."
-Tony Avent, Plant Delights Nursery
As a renowned plant explorer and American Horticulturist, Mr. Avent should know!
All summer, this rather spindly, amazing, otherworldly-like daphne relative is adorned with tropical-looking leaves that drop by mid-December to reveal it’s wonderful bark and large, silvery, terminal flower buds.
These buds open steadily from mid-January to early April with “an overwhelmingly fragrant display of pendent, golden yellow flowers.”
We can’t think of a better way to say
“Happy First Day of Spring!”
Today was the first day of Spring. It snowed. On the plus side, there was a flock of Canada Geese feeding on the lawn of the office when I left this evening. They look like they are mite tired of the snow, too.
The first day of Spring and things are booming. Gaston County, NC, USA. Canon T6i, 1/320, f8, +2/3 EV, ISO 400, Sigma 70mm EX DG Macro, RAW. 3/22/2016