Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Changes




For many of you the leaves on my header are unfamiliar.  Oakleaf hydrangeas are native to Alabama and one of my favorites during the spring and summer.  An added benefit is that when the blooms die and dry , they take on this crisp brown color.  Many southerners dry the blooms all summer to use in their homes during fall and winter. Their rich red leaves are the added bonus right before they bid us a farewell.   Today's offering is a before and after of sorts.  I thought you might like to see some of the gorgeous  greenish/white blooms of summer and the new look they have taken on recently.  These were both photographed in the wonderful Southern Living garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The Tune du Jour is a very jazzy version of "Autumn Leaves" 
by John Coltrane
(I am unable to play my very favorite version by Andrea Bocelli.  If you run over to North Metro Minneapolis DP, you can find it on Dusty Lens' October 13th post.)

 PARIS COUNTDOWN...32 DAYS!



Discover John Coltrane!

37 comments:

M. CHRISTOPHE said...

I like the warm colors you have caught in the first picture

Olivier said...

un beau avant / après. je préfère les couleurs de l'automne.
a beautiful before / after. I prefer the colors of autumn.

Tash said...

Beautiful colors on both. I love the contrast between the summer & fall. V, I like your new photo. For some reason while browsing at Tiffany's I half expected to run into you.

Webradio said...

"The time, there are a changing", chantait je ne sais plus qui...
Les couleurs de l'automne sont certes plus jolies, mais annoce l'hiver...
Jolies photos Virginia, et le tube du jour est bien choisi !

alice said...

I do like them, of course! I've never seen such beautiful plants...I'm going to look for!

Saretta said...

Interesting to see the comparison!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Hello

This is my first visit to your blog!
I loved the touch and feel of the space and also the rich content!

Wonderful pictures!

Cheers

Rakesh
http://almostsunday.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Virginia, Thanks for the explanation. I knew MY hydrangea leaves didn't look like those and now I know why. Love seeing the change the season brings to them. Personally - I am glad there are two seasons for them - I love them both!

PeterParis said...

I hope there will still be some autumn leaves when you - finally - arrive!!

Diederick Wijmans said...

Definitely the Autumn colour!!
We do the same with the Hortensia flowers here. Cut them and then hang them upside down in a dry place. They original colours do not fade away completely but have all the same that dried-flower effect.

Jane Hards Photography said...

My favourite season and here's why. Obviously I am drawn to the top shot, that rich red. I used to visit the other Birmingham Botanical Gardens as
a child. I am still confued anout Autumn vs Fall in the USA.

The beret is freshly laundered and ready to go.

Kathleen McQueen Wright said...

I would love to paint the second shot!!

Kate said...

Wonderful way to show contrasts, which seems to be what life is all about!

Virginia said...

Tash, Don't I wish I had been at Tiffany's with! I hope you had a terrific birthday trip!

Rakesh please stop by often.

Peter, actually if the leaves are all gone that just means more photo ops of those fabulous trimmed trees in Tuileries when I- finally - arrive!!! (Don't forget the corkscrew :)

Marie-Noyale said...

Each time I try to snap a piece of those beautiful Fall colors I get frustrated....
I would need a 360 degrees wide angle lens!! to catch everything..
Great idea to compare with the summer blooms.

Burd Zel Krai said...

just beautiful, the title is so simple (not simplistic) and poetic. reminds me of all the beautiful posts of fall (or autumn) at moscow daily photo. the variety of colors offered in the one season on the one day makes mother nature the top dog of all open air artists (c.f. to laurie's post yesterday). i've sent you a quick email hello, share what you wish :) especially those eggplant snaps you mentioned a week or so ago
Burd.

MadAboutParis said...

Be still my heart...what stunning colors! Merci Virg...
xx,
M

Victor said...

Love the picture, and Coltrane's Autumn Leaves.

Pat said...

I love fall, and I know these flowers. I like the way they look in their fall "dress."

Rob said...

Lovely colors! I do enjoy walking through these types of gardens ot view the wide vatieties of plants.

Coltrane_lives said...

Bonjour! A beautiful tune from a beautiful musician posted by a beautiful lady. Merci! (I still think you've some Georgia ties because you really are a peach Virginia.)

Virginia said...

Coltrane,
Whooo eeee, well bless your heart. But we have peaches in Alabama too!

Eki said...

I love the color texture of these leaves ... Autumn colors are my fave.

I'll try to take a close up picture of the columns for you, V.

:D

Profile Not Available said...

Breathtaking new masthead! Your photos today lovely! I was snapping my hydrangeas the other day too - I think they are so beautiful when they begin to fade. Yours put mine to shame though!

Economic Analyst said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
marley said...

Cool contrast. I can see why people use it indoors through autumn and winter.

Janet said...

A nice touch of autumn on the way, Virginia!

Janet Kincaid said...

Beautiful photo!

Unknown said...

Good to see you have fall in Alabama ... but it seems early. You must be north Alabama and up a little higher in elevation.

Virginia said...

Robert, it is still green here with some dried leaves. I had to hunt to find these changing leaves at the gardens. We have a long way to go yet.

Jill said...

Very pretty Virginia. (I like your new profile photo.) I am 32nd degree green, but vicariously enjoying your anticipated trip.

Barbara Rahal said...

I love fall, and you just remind me how much with those warm everchanging colors!! Is int a great season??!...thanks

Virginia said...

Thanks Jill and all of you that share in the anticipation and excitement of my upcoming trip.. As we move into another season, it is so interesting to me how incredibly different our cities are yet how much we are all alike. Fot that I count myself fortunate to be able to visit your cities frequently and taste your part of the world.

Unknown said...

Beautiful contrast! The plant is awesome both ways!

Redzlan said...

Beautiful!
Sky reflection on the building glass.

Happy SW Friday!

U "R" Us AKA Captain Crowe said...

Really lovely stuff in that first photo. Never seen anything like those browned flowers. And I think you know a thing or two about how to use that XTi! But you're right, I have learned a lot from my dad.

Ming the Merciless said...

I've never seen an oakleaf hydrangea but it looks gorgeous, even when it's brown.