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Bird of Paradise


Bird of Paradise
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3265 W: 267 N: 7730] (32968)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-07
Categories: Daily Life, Nature, Artwork
Camera: Canon EOS 30D, Canon EF 17-40mm f.4 L USM
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Flowers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-09-09 4:56
Viewed: 534
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Bird-of-Paradise
Strelitzia reginae

Bird-of-paradise is a native of South Africa and one of the most unusual and attractive members of the banana family (Musaceae) . I didn’t know that! But come to think of it, they do have similar leaves – well, sort of!

Don’t you just love this flower? It looks like a brightly coloured bird in flight, that’s why it is known as Bird-of-paradise. It makes an very attractive landscape plant.

The plant usually reaches a height of 4 feet, but when we were in Rarotonga a few years ago these plants grew like giants – they were taller and larger.

The Flower: The inflorescence is borne atop long scapes, or pedicels, that grow to 5 feet or more in height. The flower is the most unusual part. A series of highly coloured bracts, or modified leaves, are formed into green, red, and/or purplish canoe-like structures. Bracts vary between 4 and 8 inches long, depending upon the age and size of the plant.

Each bract contains two or more protruding florets of bright yellow or orange elongated petals and a bright blue tongue. The female part of the flower is the long extension of the blue tongue which is extended well away from the stamens.

Blooming season lasts from September through May. Healthy, mature plants can produce as many as three dozen (36) flower spikes, which will last up to two weeks when cut.

I am quoting about the flower description from the University of Florida (IFAS Extension) website. It explains it much better than I can.

This flower comes from a friend’s garden.
Tim, cstathoulis, Refugee, perryhooter has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To antiwheeze: No holes!Janice 1 09-14 16:08
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • yanm Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 558 W: 40 N: 848] (8422)
  • [2006-09-09 6:42]

From the title i thought it was a bird shot. We have a bird of paradise here as well. Hope i can capture it someday. Btw, you surely seen this well and execute it well too. The colour of this plant stand out from the rather dark green B/G. I think its too close from the B/G leaf so the focus still get there. Nevertheless this is great shot.

TFS Yan M

  • Great 
  • Tim Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 188 W: 18 N: 241] (1137)
  • [2006-09-09 11:44]

What a cool flower. I have heard of the Bird of Paradise most of my life but didn't know it was also associated with a flower. It certainly does remind one of a bird. Great shot and interesting note Janice.

God's best

Tim

Hi Janice,

I can see why they call this Bird of Paradise. For a moment I thought it was... :))
However, where the banana fits in I have no idea...lol...
Beautiful colours and contrast! Nice DOF and lighting!
Well done!

Constantinos

Hi Janice,
Details, composition, colors and exposure are very good. This is a beautiful portrait of this nice flower. Very well done and TFS,
Claudine

Wonderful photo of a unique plant Janice. Good natural colours and well composed. TFS
David

very nice capture so colorful
all of the ones of these I have seen have insect holes
did you fiw them with PS?

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