Monday, March 23, 2009

To our Western, Southwestern and Southeastern friends, this flower is probably "old hat" to you, so I apologize in advance! I shot this Bird of Paradise while visiting the Del Coronado last year in San Diego.

The colors and distinctive shape of the flower caught my "Midwest" imagination. I am told that the blue extension holds nectar for the sun birds. As they stand on the petal to drink in the nectar...the petals open and cover the bird's feet with it's pollen. Thus insuring the prorogation of it's species by the unwitting songbirds. Like the eyes on the butterfly and the spots on the Peacock of earlier posts, Nature again proves that she has some very unique tricks up her sleeves, helping her subjects survive in a predatory world.

8 comments:

Karrie said...

Beautiful pic Dan! But then again what pic is not good that you take? :)

Dan Felstead said...

Karrie...
Thank you for the compliment but I must say that is the advantage of taking 1000's of pictures...one is bound to have a good one now and then! Believe, I have 1000's of pictures that I would be embarrassed to post to the blog!

Dan

Heather said...

The colors and softness are nice, Dan. Some that you're embarrassed to post? Maybe, but I know that we're our own worst critic :o)

Dan Felstead said...

Heather,
The shots that seem to produce a lot of deleted items are the animal shots...they don't always co-operate!....Especially the hummingbirds.

Dan

Sunny said...

One of the most delicate and elegant flowers I have ever seen!

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny,
I ampretty sure that these beauties are mainly in the warmer, more tropical climates. They are probably as rare in St. Petersburg as they are in Indiana!

Dan

The Muse said...

It took a moment...at first glance it was almost birdlike!

Dan Felstead said...

Yes Muse,
It is a beautiful flower and so unique. Quit unlike any flowering plants from the Midwest.

Dan