Basking in the Sun #7
by Bruce Bley
Title
Basking in the Sun #7
Artist
Bruce Bley
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This macro image of a magenta iris was taken from one of my flower beds this past spring. I enjoy taking photographs of flowers and trying to capture the little details that one might not ordinarily see.
Iris is a genus of 260-300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species, as well as, being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a common name for all Iris species, though some plants called thus belong to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is 'flags', while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as 'junos', particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower.
Irises are perennial plants, growing from creeping rhizomes (rhizomatous irises) or, in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous irises). They have long, erect flowering stems which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. The rhizomatous species usually have 3-10 basal sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical, basal leaves.
The inflorescences are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical six-lobed flowers. These grow on a pedicel or lack a footstalk. The three sepals, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as "falls". They expand from their narrow base, which in some of the rhizomatous irises has a "beard" (a tuft of short upright extensions growing in its midline), into a broader expanded portion ("limb"), often adorned with veining, lines or dots. The three, sometimes reduced, petals stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. They are called "standards". Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards, but generally limb and standards differ markedly in appearance. They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the ovary (known as an epigynous or inferior ovary). The styles divide towards the apex into petaloid branches; this is significant in pollination.
The iris flower is of interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and pollinating insects. The shape of the flower and the position of the pollen-receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect, which in probing for nectar, will first come into contact with the perianth, then with the stigmatic stamens in one whorled surface which is borne on an ovary formed of three carpels. The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorled underside of the stamens is beneath the overarching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma; in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus, an insect bearing pollen from one flower will, in entering a second, deposit the pollen on the stigma; in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.
I hope you have enjoyed this photograph and will share it with others. You can see more of my work on my homepage in the various galleries I have created. Thank you for visiting and please come back.
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February 7th, 2015
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Comments (30)
Bruce Bley
Savana, I am very grateful for the feature in the group "Macro Flower Photography". Thank you for the honor.
Nikolyn McDonald
I love bearded iris - and what a beauty this one is. The unusual crop is very nice, too.
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the kind and gracious comment, Nikolyn. Irises are one of my favorite flowers as well. Thank you for visiting.
Bruce Bley
Bob and Nadine, I am very grateful for the feature in the group "Pin Me 1 Daily". Thank you so much.
Colin Hunt
Very pleased to announce that this lovely photograph has been featured within the group "Flowers". l/f and shared.
Bruce Bley replied:
Colin, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Flowers". I sincerely appreciate the honor. Thank you also for the L.
Gardening Perfection
l/f beautifully basking and captured by you!! Lovely!!
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the kind and gracious comment, Gardening Perfection. I really appreciate it and thank you for the L.
Bruce Bley
Doug, I want to thank you for the feature in the groups "Iris" and "Macro Marvels". I sincerely appreciate the honor and your continued support of my work.
Bruce Bley
Svetlana, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "The World We See". I truly appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Dora, Thank you for the feature in the group "Visions Of Spring". I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Chuck thank you so much for the feature in the group "3 a day AAA Images". I truly appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Stefon. I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Appreciating Works From All Mediums". I really appreciate the honor and your support. Thank you again.
Bruce Bley
Dan, Thank you for the feature in the group "Premium FAA Artists". I truly appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
James, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Beauty". I sincerely appreciate your support.
Bruce Bley
Bob and Nadine, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "The Galleria of Interior Design - GIDA". Thank you so much.
Bruce Bley
Naomi, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Worldly Photography". I sincerely appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Bob and Nadine, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "ALL Fine Art America Artwork". I sincerely appreciate the honor and your support.
John Bailey
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the feature in the group "Images That Excite You", John. I sincerely appreciate it and thank you for your support.
Randy Rosenberger
It is with great pleasure I chose this piece of artwork from your portfolio to FEATURE on our homepage of the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. This is the quality of fine art that makes it a joy to share with other artists and prospective customers. Love the beauty and composition of this skillfully presented piece of beauty. Thanks for sharing! Liked and faved Forever, Elvis Randy B. Rosenberger
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you for the kind, encouraging words, and feature in the group "Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery, Randy. I appreciate the honor and your support.
Amanda Sinco
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Artists for Nature!
Bruce Bley replied:
Amanda, I sincerely appreciate the feature in the group "Artists for Nature". Thank you so much for the honor.