Reaching for the Sky #4
by Bruce Bley
Title
Reaching for the Sky #4
Artist
Bruce Bley
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This capture of a sunflower was taken while visiting the Chicago Botanical Garden in Glencoe, Illinois this past summer. I enjoy taking shots like this illustrating the interesting patterns nature has to offer plus the various colors in nature.
Helianthus L. (sunflower) is a genus of plants comprising about 52 species] in the Asteraceae family, all of which are native to North America. The common name "sunflower" also applies to the popular annual species Helianthus Annuus. This and other species, notably Jerusalem artichoke (H. tuberosus), are cultivated in temperate regions as food crops and ornamental plants.
The genus is one of many in the Asteraceae that are known as sunflowers. It is distinguished technically by the fact that the ray flowers, when present, are sterile, and by the presence on the disk flowers of a pappus that is of two awn-like scales that are cauducous (that is, easily detached and falling at maturity). Some species also have additional shorter scales in the pappus, and there is one species that lacks a pappus entirely. Another technical feature that distinguishes the genus more reliably, but requires a microscope to see, is the presence of a prominent, multicellular appendage at the apex of the style.
There is quite a bit of variability among the perennial species that make up the bulk of the species in the genus. Some have most or all of the large leaves in a rosette at the base of the plant and produce a flowering stem that has leaves that are reduced in size. Most of the perennials have disk flowers that are entirely yellow, but a few have disk flowers with reddish lobes. One species, H. radula, lacks ray flowers altogether.
I hope you have enjoyed this photograph, You can see more of my work on my homepage. Thank you for visiting and please come back.
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November 23rd, 2015
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Comments (32)
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations on your fabulous artwork being featured in one of FAA's newer Groups - Camera Art! You are invited to archive your work in the Features Archive thread! group or any other thread that it would fit in! LF
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Camera Art", Pamela. I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Beth, I appreciate the feature in the group "The Most Beautiful Flowers". Thank you so much
Bruce Bley
Judy, I am grateful for the feature in the group "USA Photographers Only". Thank you so much.
Bruce Bley
Dora, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Visions of Spring - Glances of Summer". I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Barbara, I am grateful for the feature in the group "Art For Close Ups And Macro Happy And Friendly". Thank you for the honor.
Bruce Bley
John, Thank you for the feature in the group "Images That Excite You". I sincerely appreciate it.
Mary Ann Weger
Congratulations! The Fine Art America group “Cards and Posters - Inspirational Text Welcome” has featured your extraordinary image on our Home Page! To further promote your work to Art Collectors, you are invited to copy and paste any of your images into a variety of popular categories on the group’s Discussion Page. URL: https://fineartamerica.com/groups/cards-and-posters--inspirational-text-welcome.html?tab=discussions
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Cards and Posters - Inspirational Text Welcome", Mary Ann. I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Doug, I am grateful for the feature in the group "Canon Full Frame Cameras". I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Darren, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Flower Art 3 A Day". I truly appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Maria, Thank you for the feature in the group "Beautiful Flowers Group". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Romuald, Thank you for the feature in the group "Arts Fantastic World". Thank you so much.
Bruce Bley
Nader, I appreciate the feature in the group "Exploration Photography". Thank you for the honor.
Bruce Bley
Michael Mirijan, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "PHENOMENAL CLUB". I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Michael Mirijan
This delightful picture is featured on the Master page of the “PHENOMENAL CLUB” group, and may it be known, that the author is a full member of that exceptional group. Hearty congratulations to the great artist.
Deb Halloran
Hi Bruce, What a fantastic macro shot...the detail in this is truly amazing. You are so talented....nicely done. v/f
Jacqueline Athmann
Surprise & Congratulations!! Your photo has been featured on Flowers Up Close group homepage! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us! F/L 12.23.15
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the feature in the group "Flowers Up Close", Jacqueline. I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Frank J Casella
Bruce -- CONGRATULATIONS!! Your beautiful artwork has been Featured by the - CHICAGOLAND ART GALLERY - Fine Art Group on Pixels.com, a Fine Art America Company! Thank you for sharing it !!
Bruce Bley replied:
Frank, I sincerely appreciate the feature in the group "CHICAGOLAND ART GALLERY". I appreciate the honor and your support.
Lynda Lehmann
Beautiful capture, Bruce! Great textures in this macro! FL, tw
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the kind and gracious compliment, Lynda. I sincerely appreciate it and thank you for the promotion.
Roger Passman
Congratulations Bruce! Your powerful image is featured by the Exploring Illinois Group. You are invited to post your featured image to the featured image discussion thread as a permanent place to continue to get exposure even after the image is no longer available on the home page. Here is the shortened link to use for placing your image into our archive: http://bit.ly/1ScUxzq You may also think about submitting this wonderful image to Deconstructions--Pieces of the Whole, a new FAA group. This image fits right in to the parameters of the group.
Bruce Bley replied:
Roger, I am very grateful for the feature in the group "Exploring Illinois Group". I appreciate the offer to post on the discussion page and thank you for the invite to your new group. I appreciate your support of my work and thank you for all you do for our group.
Jeannie Rhode Photography
Bruce, Sharing my Congratulations on your recent Feature in Wisconsin Flower and Scenery !
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for sharing and the congrats, Jeannie. I appreciate it and thank you for your kind comment and support.
Randy Rosenberger
Congratulations on your being chosen to have your artwork Featured on the homepage of the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. It is with pride and joy that I can share this beautiful piece of artwork with the FAA art community. Thanks for sharing. Randy B. Rosenberger (admin of WFS group)
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the feature in the group "Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery, Randy. I appreciate the honor and your support of my work.
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