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Naked Ladies


Naked Ladies
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3274 W: 268 N: 7771] (33168)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-12
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Canon EF-S 18-55
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Flowers in my garden [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-03-11 15:35
Viewed: 1542
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Belladonna Lily, Naked Lady (Amaryllis belladonna)

I took this photo just after sunrise this morning. These beautiful flowers, known as naked ladies, appear usually at the end of summer. Sadly, they appearance shows me that summer is coming to an end. Their scent is quite strong, and I have memories of, as a child, taking a bunch to school in the bus, and feeling so ill by the time I reached school, I had to go home immediately, only to improve as soon as I left school grounds! So now I never pick them to bring inside – I leave them to bloom and shine in a corner of the garden.

Amaryllis belladonna originates in the South Western Cape of Africa. It is also known as 'Jersey Lily' or the ‘Naked Lady’. This 'true' amaryllis is ideal for the garden. The bulb is typically large, brown and rounded and has a moderate growth rate. The large clusters of scented, trumpet-shaped pink or white flowers are carried on a long purplish-red and green stem appearing 50cm above the soil. Up to twelve flowers are produced from the flowering stem. These flowers are 10cm long and apically flare open about 8cm. Protruding from each flower is a long upturned style amongst a group of large curved anthers. The anthers are black and shiny at first, but split open to reveal masses of sticky white pollen. The inflorescence tends to face the direction that receives the most sun. Although most flowers are pale pink, white and dark pink forms occur.

The strap-like leaves are deciduous and are produced after flowering. The leaves remain green throughout the winter period. The leaves produce a starch, which is stored in the bulb. In summer the leaves die back and the bulb becomes dormant. This strange phenomenon of flowering before the leaves appear is known as HYSTERANTHY. The belladonna lily's specific flowering time is late summer, February and March in the Southern Hemisphere…

Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/amarylbella.htm

Camera Model Name: Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL
Shooting Date/Time 12/03/2005 7:13:56 a.m.
Shooting Mode: Macro( Close Up )
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/60
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
ISO Speed: 400
Lens: 18.0 - 55.0 mm
Focal Length: 55.0 mm
Flash: On
alagoa, lilycat, maleentjeh, saintclaude has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To naturegirl: Thanks LizJanice 1 03-13 04:58
To saintclaude: Merci beacoupJanice 2 03-12 06:05
To alagoa: BGJanice 1 03-11 16:37
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Critiques [Translate]

Another great botanical lesson! Thank you! And now the photo... Before I read the note I thought "how odd, people usually don't chose black backgrounds for flower photos" and I imagined that you were trying a different approach here. It turns out you took this just after sunrise, so this is a natural backgroud right?? It's definitely unusual and it seems like the flowers just "popped out of the box" to great us :-) The colours are very good, but mostly I like the black background effect. Well done Janice.
Ana

A beautiful flower. The colors are striking and I really like the black background. It really showcases these lilies well. And a great note as well! Nice job!

What a great idea to take pictures of them in the dark ! Brings out the colors of the flowers really well. Not too fond of the border, but that's a minor detail. great note too

Wonderful shot, Janice!!!
You are the specialist of taking photos of flowers and plants, there were always so beautiful with you!
Congratulations for the background and the frame too!
Bravo!
Claude

very sharp and impressif...nice composition..

Great colours and composition. The flowers are bright and sharp. Good detail.
TFS
Liz

Great shot, I like the contrast of the flowers against the background. I would have changed the frame colour, but otherwise its super.

  • Great 
  • amg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 94 W: 4 N: 28] (1590)
  • [2005-05-24 10:43]

I have been walking in search of flowers of these (in her natural place) for getting to photograph. This is wonderful. The black background to do to stand out the flowers... excellent

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