Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Last Magnolia


The title sounds like some Southern chic flick doesn't it!  I am going out on a limb with this photograph today.  I saw this last lonely blossom on my friend's magnolia tree the other day and just fell in love with the color of the bloom.  She, on the other hand, was uneasy that I wanted to photograph a flower that was well past its prime.  I assured her that it "looked sepia" and would be..... well.... different in a good way.  Since I always seem to be on the edge of desperate for photos I was willing to give it a chance.  So here you have the  last magnolia of the season.  Aging,  but still gorgeous don't you think?


20 comments:

angela said...

Someone has removed my headphones and I would so much have liked to hear Joan Baez..maybe later.
The sepia like tone is perfect for a flower that's a little mature...can't believe it's the last..

Unknown said...

Beautiful magnolia!!!
I just love yesterday picture (colour and b&w)! I can almost hear the murmur of the water...

PJ said...

I like this, Virginia. Magnolias deteriorate so quickly after they're picked, it's lovely to see it aging on the tree.

Katie said...

Your friend need not have worried; this is a wonderful photo! Such soft colors. I'm always sad when the last blooms are off the magnolia trees here. There are magnolia trees near me that start blooming in December, which is a nice treat. And I hope that you didn't have to actually go "out on a limb" to capture this beautiful photo!

marie6 said...

I would say "aging gracefully". It still looks beautiful and you captured it well.

Knoxville Girl said...

Aw heck, V, anyone can photograph a magnolia blossom in its prime. You stretched that artistic vision to give us faded glory - I can smell that lemony scent, so strong. Good choice.
Also, your green cathedral banner - love it.
p.s. the reality of magnolia trees is that they are messy year round with dropped leaves and pods, and the neighbor's cat who gets stuck there at least once a year. :-)
Have a pleasant Saturday!

storyteller said...

Beautiful blossom … song … and memory ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Julie said...

Going out on a limb to the edge of desperate is what makes many images, Virginia. This tells an entire story: life is not just about physical beauty; not just about youth. Remember a few months back when Babooshka had an image of dying leaves among the new?

I went through that entire folk song thing of the 60s and adored the clarity of the Baez voice. What struck me though, listening to your Tune du Jour, were the lyrics. How very apposite ...

Jane Hards Photography said...

Julie beat me to my own punchline, about the dying leaves being the most alive aspect of my own pic. I like the aging, but still gorgeous tag. I will be adopting this at sometime in the future. There is something much more delicate about a dying flower image than a young bloom. It certainly stirs the soul and compels you to actually look at the image in depth.

The new header. Pzazz. Really striking.

Laurie Allee said...

Ah heck, a lot of us magnolias are a little past our prime...

Love it, Virginia. And love your eye for capturing it so beautifully.

Anonymous said...

The magnolia is beautiful, but the last bloom also makes me feel sad. Another year to wait to see the blooms again.

Wayne said...

Looks like antique parchment to me (is all parchment antique?)

You needn't have worried Valerie. You're an inspiration to us all living your life on the edge this way.

Virginia said...

Aging gracefully is all we can hope for! Thanks for you nice comments. I showed the blog photo to the "owner" of the magnolia. She loved it!
Julie, 40 some years later, Joan is singing about boys going off to war and sadly it's still true.

Mame said...

The only thing out on a limb is that sad symbol of another summer gone by. Lovely shot.

Valerie said...

I think your friend would love this photo; I do!

Petrea Burchard said...

Ah, bittersweet. And I can smell it.

Rob said...

Climbing trees are we now? ;) lovely lovely photo. Yes, a bit different, that is what makes it so lovely.

Ming the Merciless said...

I love the scent of magnolia.

My grandmother used to pick unopen magnolia buds from the garden and leave one or two in the house. The buds leave a slight perfume in every room.

Leedra said...

I think it was just right for the photo. Sometimes the end is ok, as in this case. Sometimes it is not. Alot of framed photos or drawings of magnolia blooms have this look.

Lynette said...

Yes, Virginia, there is life in that magnolia blossom. I see it as a pertinent metaphor for women of a certain age, mine to be exact. I'm so glad that your friend relented and you got this great photo to share with us. By the way, I'll be 61 in December.

Thanks so much for enjoying my surprise artistic photo today.

I've enjoyed browsing your recent posts. Reed Books is certainly intriguing. I look forward to more photos from you other visits.