Thursday, May 6, 2010

Iris Irissima

On Tuesday the white  iris by my clothesline began to unfurl. . .
By Wednesday morning, before sunrise she was fully displayed, falls and standards just so, prim and perfect.

Like a virgin princess awaiting the prince's kiss, the iris was waiting for the light's touch to bring her to life . . .
As the sun topped the horizon, the white iris seemed to gather the light to her  . . .

For some time, I stood there in my nightshirt, taking picture after picture, watching the play of light on the translucent petals . . .
The sun pushed higher, gilding the trees . . .

A tint of pink appeared on her pure white petals as the iris blushed at the sun's boldness . . .
  
High in the sky, the waning moon showed off her share of sun . . .



 
 I am captivated by the changing light . . . the shaded fall with the little splash of brightness holds me there . . .
The way the sunlight is caught in that bowl of up-curved petals holds me there . . .
  Finally, as  the slash of light grows stronger, the shadows more defined, I decide to get on  with my day -- make coffee, get dressed -- I can't spend all day with this flower. . .  can I?
An hour later I come back downstairs to hang out the laundry and the irises are dancing in the full sun, just begging for one more picture.
 


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18 comments:

Callie Brady said...

Thank you for the beautiful iris photo essay. Wonderful words and photos! I hope you got a cup of coffee and came back out to visit with the iris and enjoy.

joanna said...

Resplendent! I almost bought a dilapadated ramshackle of a house one time because the front yard about a 1/2 ac. was filled with Iris's --as thick as grass. the bank talked me out of it and said just go and beg them to divide up the plants and give you some.

The moppy head was a Buff Laced Polish-- they are so sweet two -- she is quite friendly, and the other next to her was a Buff Cochin. We will see how they do.

There are several other types of this breed called
White Crested Black Polish
Silver Laced Polish
Golden Laced Polish
Joanny

Martin said...

What a beautiful sequence of photographs, Vicki. I'm fascinated by the effect you've used here, "As the sun topped the horizon, the white iris seemed to gather the light to her . . ."

Did you use the extrude setting?

Victoria said...

Vicki, those photos are exquisite! Especially the fourth one...how did you make it look like the light was fragmenting? Breath-taking!

Brian Miller said...

what a a beautiful tranformation...very cool.

Pat in east TN said...

What a wonderful series of pictures Vicki ... I can see why you were captivated by the flower, it's a beauty.

Friko said...

Vicki, I love your words to go with the pictures. The Iris is beautiful but so are the words you use to express your emotion.
I can feel how captivated you were by the sight and your wish to capture the moment forever shone through as brightly as the Iris.

Jon Lee said...

I love the beautiful words and the lovely photographs. They are a fantastic way to begin my day. How poetic you are! Those photographs are amazing.

Vicki Lane said...

Callie -- I go down to the basement every morning to start a load of laundry -- the iris is just outside the door calling for my attention!

I thought they might be crested Polish, Johanny -- we had some adults many years ago but I'd never seen the chicks. Pretty darling.

Martin and Victoria -- I wish I did know how that weird picture came about. I didn't knowingly change any setting. I didn't even know it had happened till I downloaded the pictures. I shall have to consult with photographer friends -- I'd love to be able to do that at will.

Many thanks, Brian and Pat and Friko and Jon Lee -- I was captured by that flower...and so I tried to capture it!

Tammy said...

Neat post. And while it isn't the iris itself, I absolutely love the second photo. It draws me in.:-) I always think that the Lilacs are my favorite flowers for their lovely scent, or then maybe peonies, but nothing comes close to that delicate wift of sweetness when you bend near the iris.
Tammy

Tess Kincaid said...

These pics are amazing. I was outside yesterday morning, hunkered down, taking pictures in my jammies, too!

Fran Hill said...

That post made me feel all peaceful! I'm not a nature bod, but you slowed my heartbeat right down with the pictures and captions.

Vicki Lane said...

It really is a wonderful scent, Tammy. But i about had to stick my nose down her throat to get it -- very delicate.

Glad to know I'm not the only crazy woman, Willow!

Thanks for stopping by, Fran! I'm still grinning about Mole Flanders.

Deanna said...

So pretty!

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Vicki, this was one of my favorites posts ever.

Your photography talents are growing and these photos are exquisite.

Irises are my mom's favorite flower and what she carried when Donald and I were married.

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks, Deanna! Good luck with that Internet cruising!

Oh, Kaye, I do love my new (still seems new to me) camera! Thanks for the kind words!

Tipper said...

I see we've both been thinking of Iris this week-neat : )

Merisi said...

Simply glorious!