A dreamy view of ratany flowers
Krameria lanceolata on May 4th in northwest Austin.
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A few days ago I finished reading David McCullough’s 2005 book 1776, which chronicles the American Revolution during that critical year in our history. Here’s something that was new to me, and most likely to you, too:
In fact, the Americans of 1776 enjoyed a higher standard of living than any people in the world. Their material wealth was considerably less than it would become in time, still it was a great deal more than others had elsewhere. How people with so much, living on their own land, would ever choose to rebel against the ruler God had put over them and thereby bring down such devastation upon themselves was for the invaders incomprehensible.
© 2023 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
so pretty – looks like they’re floating
beth
May 13, 2023 at 4:42 AM
Floating in the air of our imagination.
Steve Schwartzman
May 13, 2023 at 5:59 AM
It really was a “revolution of the mind” and not a revolt stemming from economic desperation. But Americans were aware that Britain conceived of its colonies only as cash cows to benefit the homeland and was taking steps to extract more wealth from them.
Robert Parker
May 13, 2023 at 6:08 AM
I like the way you put it: “a revolution of the mind.” Ever since I was in elementary school that period called out to me.
Steve Schwartzman
May 13, 2023 at 9:15 AM
I think that phrase came from John Adams. It’s a fascinating period and cast of characters to study.
Robert Parker
May 13, 2023 at 12:14 PM
It sure is, and I’ve been drawn to since elementary school.
Steve Schwartzman
May 13, 2023 at 3:30 PM
“Sweet dreams are made of these, who am I to disagree?”
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The quotation from the book leads me to question who are the Americans and what are the assumptions underlying the statement?
Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence held some lofty ideals which were somewhat compromised in the Constitution, I would suggest. The citizens of the USA have not yet achieved the perfect union the preamble speaks of. My opinion; ready to change it at a moment’s notice.
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Ratany flowers in focus with a soft background. Botanical “porn” at its most artistic.
RobertKamper
May 13, 2023 at 6:31 AM
I’d say the best way to get the background on the quotation and understand it in context is to read David McCullough’s book.
The Preamble to the Constitution speaks of “a more perfect union” rather than a perfect one. As far as I can tell, perfection—even if everyone could agree on what that means—will forever elude us. Such is the human condition.
You’re the first person ever to link one of my botanical portraits to “porn,” even if artistic porn.
Steve Schwartzman
May 13, 2023 at 9:21 AM
There’s a fine line… I know that the Constitution speaks of a more perfect union, and believe that the course of the union has generally moved in that direction. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and from his second inaugural address speaking of malice towards none and charity to all (my best remembrance of the selection without looking it up) – seem to have been abandoned by some Americans.
And at the risk of being considered weird, flowering plants do offer their reproductive parts to attract insects, birds, and photographers in a symbiotic way that benefit the plants own selfish genes’ need to reproduce and increase in numbers. Most other species don’t do that, as far as I know. Roses, for instance, have been so successful that lots of people are involved in creating new varieties, holding shows to compete for the most beautiful blooms, etc. to the point that pollinators aren’t attracted to some of them. (or so I’m told, my yard is devoted to native Texas plants to the extent that I can maintain it). Therefore, especially attractive photos of wildflowers, in my mind, are the equivalent of “porn,” although I use the term tongue in cheek. Better wildflower porn than weaponry porn, I sometimes think to myself when I pass the “Men’s Interests” magazine section at the local Barnes & Noble bookstore…
RobertKamper
May 13, 2023 at 11:29 AM
So nature photographers are ranked alongside insects and birds in the way we’re symbiotically drawn to flowers. An observer whose name I can’t recall pointed out that wheat, rice, and some other grains have gotten people to do their propagating for them.
Steve Schwartzman
May 13, 2023 at 3:39 PM
I’d always associated ratany with the hill country, until I found it on the Nash prairie. This is a lovely portrait. I’ve always found it quite low and tangled with other plants: so much so it’s been hard to isolate. The center of the flower looks like a little fan.
shoreacres
May 14, 2023 at 8:45 AM
Welcome to the Get Down on the Ground to Photograph Ratany Club. Another wildflower that’s hard to isolate for the same reason is scarlet pea. There’s often enough play in stems of both sorts that I can lift them up a little for a less cluttered background. I see what you mean about the little fan at the center of a ratany flower.
Steve Schwartzman
May 14, 2023 at 8:52 AM