Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #33: Nature

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Helen C

This is my submission for Patti’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #33: Nature.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
–John Muir

Continue my Amaryllis story… Amaryllis amazes me! I may make a fool of myself here, but before you laugh too loud, please remember this is my very first Amaryllis plant. 😉

First, I googled and read about Amaryllis. From eHow…

Each stem may hold a single bloom or a cluster of two or three (one other article says 3 or 4) blooms which project outward. They are large and trumpet-shaped, each made of six radiating and overlapping petals.

Mine has 4 blooms — I was very happy. Six petals — yes! But I didn’t see them project outward (see above photo). If they stay the way they were, how could 4 large flowers share such a small space?

Not to worry… a few hours later (to my surprise) all 4 flowers were no longer pointing upward – they projected outward! It was a 90-degree turn!

One flower bud, however, was squeezed between a leaf and a stem. I tried to guide the leaf away without breaking it, but it wouldn’t budge.

To my surprise (again), that particular one grew and grew.

Seeing two stems grow from the center of the bulb, I had another concern: if both stems grew to the same height, we (it?) would still have the space issue, wouldn’t it?

Apparently, Amaryllis (Nature) knows what it is doing. One stem is taller!

I see an artist, a computer programmer, an architect… in it. I am amazed. Finally…

Colors are the smiles of nature. –Leigh Hunt

Thanks, Patti.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

About Helen C

A retired computer programmer who loves writing and photographing, and has managed to publish a YA novel "Jin-Ling’s Two Left".
This entry was posted in photo, photo and thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

26 Responses to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #33: Nature

  1. Dina says:
    February 17, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    What an amazingly beautiful Amaryllis gallery, Helen! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Helen C says:
      February 17, 2019 at 10:46 pm

      Thank you, Dina. It is a beautiful plant. I think we have taken 100 photos 😉 But I have to take it to my neighbor’s house today since we are leaving for our trip tomorrow morning. I only see 2 out of 4 flowers, but it’s all right. I am glad my neighbor can enjoy the rest.
      Have a wonderful day.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  2. Tina Schell says:
    February 17, 2019 at 2:11 pm

    Love seeing it through your eyes Helen! What is life if we cannot enjoy the little joys as well as the big ones?!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. almeidadepaulo says:
    February 17, 2019 at 6:05 pm

    Great captures Helen!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Amy says:
    February 17, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    Thank you, Helen for sharing the joy of seeing the blooms in front of you! Wonderful captures.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. rxfrazier says:
    February 17, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    Nice photos of great flowers. These in red are quite attractive. We have pink ones that come in the fall. They make a nice end to the year 🙂 .

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. carol1945 says:
    February 18, 2019 at 9:04 am

    Watching a flower bloom is one of the great joys in my life, and you have captured the experience in your photos. Thanks.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Helen C says:
      April 25, 2019 at 9:00 pm

      Thanks, Carol. Yes, it was a great joy but I had to let my neighbor enjoy the flower because we left for Taiwan. When we got back, all the flowers were gone. I told my neighbor that they could give it back to me at the end of the year when it is blooming again 😉
      How are you?

      Like

      Reply
  7. serendipity says:
    February 19, 2019 at 1:22 am

    Amazing! They really know how to get this to work!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Prior... says:
    February 22, 2019 at 11:23 pm

    wishing you safe travels – and your flower shots (and thoughts) are uplifting

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Helen C says:
      April 25, 2019 at 9:05 pm

      Thanks, Yvette. I had a wonderful trip. I missed the post you said you mentioned. I guess I have to read through all of your posts that I have missed. 😉
      Good night.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Prior... says:
        April 28, 2019 at 8:37 am

        Hi – not sure which post you are referring to – if it is from the other comment a while ago – well I did not “create” the post yet – but I had a fun idea for a post – inspired by your “droplets” post – and think I will combine it with a “blue-colored theme” post I have coming up in May

        and glad you had a nice trip
        🙂

        Like

        Reply
  9. Otto von Münchow says:
    April 10, 2019 at 9:38 am

    A beautiful “story” about the unfolding of the amaryllis. They are indeed quite some special flowers. My favourite of the photos is the second to last.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. loisajay says:
    April 25, 2019 at 8:21 pm

    Helen! Missing you. You coming back? ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Helen C says:
      April 25, 2019 at 9:12 pm

      Love you, Lois!!! Yes, hopefully soon. I have to give 2 speeches. I did one today, and next one is 5/15. Haven’t given speeches for a while, I am quite nervous about it and it seems like I can’t get anything else done. (And I am a DTM!)
      Good night, my dear friend.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

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