Oenothera sheath
The last thing I’ll show you from my stop along TX 29 a little east of Llano on April 7th is this close view of the underside of a wildflower in the genus Oenothera, though I’m not sure of the species. (You may recall that the pink evening primroses you recently saw are Oenothera speciosa.) The flower buds in this genus are long and tapering, and their outer sheath persists beneath the flower that emerges from it. Behind the open and yellowing sheath that you see here is a greenish one from a bud that has yet to open. The touches of blue-indigo in the lower left are from a bluebonnet, Lupinus texensis.
© 2015 Steven Schwartzman
Well seen, composed, exposed and focused, Steve.
Steve Gingold
May 2, 2015 at 6:09 AM
Thanks for appreciating the image and giving it your four pluses.
Steve Schwartzman
May 2, 2015 at 7:49 AM
Another burst of cheerful yellow. Lovely.
Gallivanta
May 2, 2015 at 6:26 AM
I was pleased with how softly the yellow surface of the flower came out, especially as a balance to the crispness of many of the fine hairs on the sheath.
Steve Schwartzman
May 2, 2015 at 7:54 AM
Do you realise how very on-trend your yellow flowers are? http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32567875 The choice of a Duchess. 🙂
Gallivanta
May 3, 2015 at 5:22 AM
I see what you mean, but I suspect the odds are high against the Duchess naming the baby Evening Primrose, and much higher still against Oenothera.
Steve Schwartzman
May 3, 2015 at 5:37 AM
Oenothera, sadly, is not even on the betting list. Poppy, Daisy, Rose and Lily make an appearance.
Gallivanta
May 3, 2015 at 6:05 AM
It is really a feast for the eyes, isn’t it, to get to look so closely.
melissabluefineart
May 2, 2015 at 9:40 AM
It is, and that’s why I continue to take more macro views than landscapes.
Steve Schwartzman
May 2, 2015 at 9:50 AM
stunning
sedge808
May 2, 2015 at 10:49 PM
You can tell that I’m fond of detail and abstraction.
Steve Schwartzman
May 3, 2015 at 5:04 AM
Yes ☺
sedge808
May 3, 2015 at 5:26 AM
Just stunning! I am in awe of your ability to observe – and capture – the most spectacular little gems of nature!
Birder's Journey
May 3, 2015 at 4:16 PM
Thanks, Carol. I’m as fond of looking at plants through a macro lens as you are birds through a telephoto lens. Each way of seeing reveals things.
Steve Schwartzman
May 3, 2015 at 4:23 PM
This is a beautiful shot.
Isabel F. Bernaldo de Quirós
May 4, 2015 at 6:20 AM
I’d done the underside of individual Oenothera flowers before, but I think this was the first time I was fortunate to have the bud of a second flower intruding into the picture to give contrast in color and orientation.
Steve Schwartzman
May 4, 2015 at 6:49 AM