Monday, March 30, 2009

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope:
A toy consisting of a tube containing mirrors and pieces of colored glass or paper,
whose reflections produce changing patterns
that are visible through an eyehole when the tube is rotated.


In all the ways and places

a flower might rise, stand,
and turn face to the sun,

most marvelous are the very first.

Those bold of color and heart,
as if to say to all others waiting, hesitating,
“Lift your head, lean this way,
for on me shines the sun.”

Magnolia

Glory of the Snow, Chionodoxa forbesii

Star Magnolia, Magnolia stellata

Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica

Lenten Rose, Helleborus orientalis

Squill, Scilla sp.

Lenten Rose, Helleborus orientalis


Because the Cincinnati Nature Center has evolved, partially, from a large tract of land that was previously a home with extensive plantings, many non-native species adorn its sprawling grounds. Of those pictured above, only the Virginia Bluebells are native, with all others originating in Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia.

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35 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Blue bells blooming already?! Wonderful. Love the color of them all though even if they aren't natives. Heavy frost here this morning. Brrrrrrrrr

Sally said...

Simply lovely!

bobbie said...

Beautiful, beautiful flowers!
I have always loved kaleidoscopes since I was a child. This is a kaleidoscope of colors.

Grizz………… said...

Beautiful photos and verse. Really nice!

We actually had a few snowflakes here along the river yesterday. And no bluebells yet—and I've been looking!

But today is sunny and lovely (still cold) and I may take another ramble in a bit and see if I can't find at least one new wildflower. My daffodils did begin blooming a day or two; they must be a later variety as those of my neighbors have been blooming for a couple of weeks.

Don't you just love spring!

Photo Cache said...

you captured those flowers beautifully. i have a saucer magnolia (pink, first one)at home too, barely breathing.

Catherine said...

I remember Kaleidoscopes from when I was a girl!:) Beautiful words & Very pretty flowers & captures!
Enjoy the Spring!
Have a beautiful week!
Cat

Deborah Godin said...

Well, wherever they're from, they are a welcome addition to winter eyes longing for color!

Unknown said...

I don't have a problem with non-natives as long as they are not invasive. But even then, they can be interesting. Aren't all great population explosions a result of a living force finding new life on an open frontier and running wild? At least sometimes ...

Julie Zickefoose said...

Egad, these are stunning photos. I love a gray day for flower photography. Your compositions are terrific. Very nice verse, too. Ahh. The star magnolia shots are mighty mighty fine.

Good on you for knowing what those little blue jobs are! I think Susan may have found some of the same kinds.

Shelley said...

Very soft & pretty flowers!!

jozien said...

"lift your head, lean this way, for on me shines the sun"
beautiful Nina.

Kenton and Rebecca said...

What a joy to turn on the computer and discover something so beautiful waiting for us. Thank you.

Kyle said...

That camera lens of yours sure makes for a wonderful kaleidoscope, doesn't it? Just look through the eyehole and turn the tube as you rotate and wander to catch the rainbow-like colors reflected around you.

Beautiful images and thought, Nina. Thanks for sharing!

naturglede/Randi Lind said...

I love all your flowerphotoes and most the magnolia:)

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful flowers, beautiful colors, Nina, thanks for sharing the beauty!

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful flowers, beautiful colors, Nina, thanks for sharing the beauty!

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful flowers, beautiful colors, Nina, thanks for sharing the beauty!

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful flowers, beautiful colors, Nina, thanks for sharing the beauty!

Rune Eide said...

All of nature is one gigantic kaleidoscope.

mrsnesbitt said...

Beautiful words to equal the beautiful photos. Thanks for participating.

Carolina said...

A wonderful, poetic post.

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful post and we certainly deserve the beauty of spring after this long cold winter...

Anna said...

Great photos and such an apt poem. Thanks for a lovely and imaginative post on the letter K :)

Granny Smith said...

Lovely photos of flowers and poetry to match them. Here most spring flowers are past blooming, but California poppies are everywhere.

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Wonderful spring post, you have so many lonvely blooms in your garden Nina. I'm still waiting for mine...

I love your K, they are amazing I wished I had save mine.

THE GREENHOUSE IN TYRA'S GARDEN

Tyra

Jane Hards Photography said...

A beautiful selection of lovely flora. Really feels like spring.

Tumblewords: said...

Oh, surely a kaleidoscope of color and pleasure...wonderful sights for me where we have more snow, more snow.

spacedlaw said...

Lovely kaleidoscope.

pictureeachday said...

Oh, beautiful choice for 'K'! I have never thought of the kaleidoscope of springtime flowers.. I love the image :D

markfe said...

Lovely flowers!

Hope you visit my ABC entry too.
Photodito

Carolyn said...

Such a lovely post and such beautiful flowers. I am waiting patiently to see the first blooms. Today there are April showersaa(rains)which hopefully will bring forth some lovely flowers. Thank you for sharing.
Smiles

Liv said...

I love your flowers!

Pat - Arkansas said...

A lovely, lovely kaleidscope of colors in your flowers. Thanks.

jay said...

Squill ... such a funny name for a beautiful flower!

We have a beautiful magnolia, 'Susan', bought in memory of a dog we had once. Susan is gorgeous, a deep, deep purple/pink. She lives in a pot because she's a dwarf magnolia.

Kathie Brown said...

Nina, so beautiful. I would welcome them all to my house!