Wednesday, February 25, 2009

With Heads Bowed



Today, Ash Wednesday,  marks the beginning of the season of Lent for Christians around the world.  I thought you might enjoy seeing the beautiful Lenten Roses ( Helleborus)  that are blooming all over Birmingham.  They are tricky to photograph because the grow with their heads bowed.  I had to use a few tricks of my own ( think acrobatics) to capture these. 

19 comments:

Pat said...

Gee, these look like dogwood at first, but now I see that they are not. Lovely photos of lovely flowers! Do they have a scent?

By the way, I see that Tall Gary often puts links in his comments.

Gary, if you're reading this, tell me how!

Anybody else is welcome to tell me how, too!

Olivier said...

j'aime beaucoup, on dirait que tes photos sortent d'un herbier.
I like very much, they would say that your photographs go out of a herbarium.

Juergen Kuehn said...

V,
Love the wintery belles (Christ-Rose in German) and
I quite agree with Katharine Graham!
Juergen

Laurie Allee said...

I'm unfamiliar with these gorgeous posies. I love your shots -- but hope you didn't pull a muscle!

Do you give anything up for Lent, V?

cieldequimper said...

Thank you, they are so pretty, delicate and elegant, well worth the acrobatics!

Unknown said...

Lovely flowers, V.! Someone should have photographed you while 'acrobating'... :-)))

Virginia said...

JM, Getting up from almost lying on my back to capture these made me laugh out loud. I was thankful no one was around to witness it.

Laurie, no I"m not, but probably should

Bibi, when you find out how to do that let me know. I"ve wanted to add links on comments too.

Jeurgen, Christ's Rose , a beautiful name as well. And that quote is one of my absolute favorites.

ceildequimper and Olivier, merci beaucoup.

Anonymous said...

Oh Virg, worth your effort. I shall do some research to see if I can pound a few of these into my own back yard.

Petrea Burchard said...

Photographers all over the world risk life and limb for such lovelies. Some of us only risk our dignity. Either way, this one's worth it.

Janet said...

Pretty! Don't think I have ever heard of Lenten roses.

Janet Kincaid said...

Let me guess: You had to lay down to take these? ;-) A tripod would come in handy for something like this... Just sayin'...

marley said...

Your acrobatics were worth it! Its such a beautifully delicate flower.

Marie-Noyale said...

The white ones look a little bit like strawberry flowers..
The backlighting on the petals is gorgeous...
Well worth the exercise !!!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Blooming marvellous shots. To be a photographer it helps to be a contortionist. I think that's why we drink so much, helps with the limbering up. This is a nubie bloom to me too and what a sweetie it is.

Anonymous said...

These are beautifully captured! Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Lovely.

jb said...

Ah Jürgen beat me to it..

They're also known as the Snow Rose in German on account of their early blossoming and were cultivated to blossom at Christmas, hence Christ Rose and their holy status.

Also good against the plague, they say, and wearing a helleborus blossom behind your ear protects you from swine pest. If you're a pig that is.Maybe lipstick works just as well. (Ask Sarah..)

FireLight said...

Virginia, these are so delicate, and the blush on the petals is exquisite. I hope you are safe inside as our state is under so many storm watches this evening! I know; I am really behind on your posts. I plan to browse-a-lot this weekend!

Vivian aka Deborah said...

I love the colors in this photo....another looks-like-a-painting, photo....very nice!