Basket-flower from below
Click for greater clarity.
The view from below, and at a slightly earlier stage than last time, shows the “basket” that gives Centaurea americana its most common common name.
Date: June 3. Place: Mammoth Cave Blvd. at Pflugerville Pkwy. in Pflugerville.
© 2013 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Gorgeous light and detail in this photo. Nice work
norasphotos4u
June 13, 2013 at 6:28 AM
Thanks, Nora. I’m fond of letting light pass through things to reveal colors and textures.
Steve Schwartzman
June 13, 2013 at 7:10 AM
Simply beautiful. I like the way the backlighting brings out that hint of lavender, but of course the real interest is the complexity of the “basket”. It’s an interesting variation on the rule of thirds – the feathery blossom, the intricate weaving of the basket and then, down below, the smooth, striated sweep of the leaf and stem.
shoreacres
June 13, 2013 at 6:32 AM
Speaking of the stem, I should have noted that as a rule it widens as it approaches the flower head in this species. The striations that you mentioned are also typical. Those two things, plus the basket, constitute a threesome that distinguishes basket-flowers from its relatives.
Steve Schwartzman
June 13, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Wow! Stunning capture. Love the detail.
Lisa Vankula-Donovan
June 13, 2013 at 6:36 AM
It’s hard to miss with basket-flowers, and I’m drawn to them each year at this time.
Steve Schwartzman
June 13, 2013 at 7:19 AM
Wow, that’s beautiful! The word graceful comes to mind :).
photosfromtheloonybin
June 13, 2013 at 7:02 AM
I’ll take graceful any time. Thanks.
Steve Schwartzman
June 13, 2013 at 7:19 AM
a relative to our common cornflower I’m guessing? I am learning so much from you – how to compose beautiful shots as well as new flowers and flower names!
Jude xx
Heyjude
June 13, 2013 at 8:42 AM
Yes, the cornflower is Centaurea cyanus. The first time I ever heard of the cornflower was in the 1980s, from a song by Kate Wolf entitled “Cornflower Blue.” I wonder if she knew about the native American species.
I’m glad these pictures are inspiring you to compose good ones of your own.
Steve Schwartzman
June 13, 2013 at 1:21 PM
Eloquent, flowing and lovely.
lensandpensbysally
June 13, 2013 at 10:12 AM
And thanks for your eloquent comment, Sally.
Steve Schwartzman
June 13, 2013 at 1:22 PM
Very beautiful photo, Steve.
bentehaarstad
June 13, 2013 at 2:44 PM
We don’t have reindeer in Texas, but we’ve got lots of great flowers.
Steve Schwartzman
June 13, 2013 at 4:58 PM
Amazing detail, Steve! It looks almost other-wordly from this perspective.
composerinthegarden
June 14, 2013 at 8:43 PM
Welcome to that other world, Lynn. I think it’s important to look at things from various perspectives (which is why I spend as much time on the ground as I do).
Steve Schwartzman
June 14, 2013 at 10:05 PM
What a beautiful, fascinating shot… Quite architectural!
FeyGirl
June 17, 2013 at 8:29 AM
I like your description: architectural.
Steve Schwartzman
June 17, 2013 at 12:58 PM
[…] 13th session on Burnet Rd. near the old Merrilltown Cemetery that not long ago brought you five images of basket-flowers, including an American painted lady butterfly on a fresh one and a tan grasshopper camouflaged on a […]
A might large for a mite | Portraits of Wildflowers
July 3, 2013 at 6:19 AM
Wow…amazing photography….i love all your photos here…
marilynjourneytoeternity
July 11, 2017 at 8:37 AM
Thanks. There’s much to enjoy in nature.
Steve Schwartzman
July 11, 2017 at 8:40 AM
Yes…very nice photos…praying i could have talent like you have 🙂
marilynjourneytoeternity
July 11, 2017 at 8:41 AM
We all have our talents. Fulfilling them isn’t always easy.
Steve Schwartzman
July 11, 2017 at 8:42 AM
That’s true…needs a lot of effort and patience…
marilynjourneytoeternity
July 11, 2017 at 8:52 AM