Monday 4 January 2010

Paradise found

Weigall Field, Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay
Australia is a very egalitarian society and, wherever even IMpossible, we come at things as would a common-Joe. To us this flower is a Bird of Paradise, even though in the deep recesses of our garden shed, the guide might hautily index Strelitzia Reginae.

With its orange petals and blue tongue, the genus was named in honour of a woman from Strelitz in Germany who married George III of England. The name was chosen by another common-joe, Sir Joseph Banks, who was the Director of the Kew Gardens at the time.

The Bird of Paradise, although native to South Africa, is common to parklands and road-side plantings around Sydney. It is large, colourful and requires little water. Perfect!

39 comments:

brattcat said...

Ahh, Sir Joseph Banks, I know him well. But was he so common, Julie? Exquisite shot of an astonishingly beautiful plant.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful photo of a gorgeous plant. Well done!

AnĂ³nimo said...

"The bird of paradise," I want one like that in my country. It's beautiful and peculiar.
Furthermore, it looks like an animal.

Nice picture.

Pd: if evil is written by the translator. Sorry.

Leif Hagen said...

A beautiful flower indeed! I not sure I could even get one in a bouquet at a local florist here!

Sean said...

Lots of native South Africans there too! Beautiful flower...

Anonymous said...

THAT gives me a new appreciation for the bird. Great photo.

Samantha ~ Holly and Zac ~ said...

Very unusual looking flower, and that is a really beautiful photo of it!

Sharon Creech said...

Such a beautiful shot of a beautiful flower with a magnificent name.

Jilly said...

I love this particular variety with the slightly darker, soft greeny blue stems. Often you see it with a brighter green. I think this one has more 'feathers' too - this is gorgeous Julie. I fell in love with these in Cairns and now have two different varieties in my garden. There are some enormous Strelitzias outside the Hotel de Ville in Menton too.

Sir Joseph Banks was an amazing plant collector, wasn't he? I presume he discovered Rosa Banksia, another favorite of mine.

Mirela said...

Nature's beauty at its best... and when it's all seen through your lenses...

Vicki said...

Perfect, indeed!

I have a lot to learn.

TheChieftess said...

Lovely shot Julie! They're pretty common here in California and I've always loved them! Your depth of field in this shot is terrific!

bitingmidge said...

A mating pair. Bravo!

Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia

JPT said...

Wow - what a flower and what a shot!

Lois said...

It is quite beautiful!

dianasfaria.com said...

lovely photo of such a unique plant Julie.
& your weekend reflections photo is exquisite!

tapirgal said...

What a great name for this post. It is certainly reflected in this photo. I love the blurred green background and the sharp-focus birds of paradise.

tapirgal said...

P.S. I grew up with these flowes about 5 feet from our back door in California, and they have always been among my favorites.

Unknown said...

The Bird of Paradise is an incredible beautiful plant to my eyes. I very much like the angle you shot this from to accentuate the "beaks" and the tufts of head feathers.

Unknown said...

These gorgeous birds are flying in formation. Beautiful!

Jim said...

They can grow like wildfire. I have one that gets out of control in my back yard and I have to keep chopping it back. The reason my posts haven't been happening early in the mornings is that I've been really busy. I haven't had time to prepare my posts for the days ahead so I've just been posting each day, whenever I've had the chance.

Suburban Girl said...

Wow, nice shot. They kind of look like birds with long bills and plumage around their heads!

Ann said...

This would be one of my favourite flowers.

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier but I've been out saleing all day - did well but I'm not game to add up all the receipts.

Friday works for me. I'll give them a ring tomorrow and book then I guess we decide for sure on Thursday night.

If the weather's okay I'm going to go to Festival First Night on Saturday as well. Doubt we'll cross paths but who knows. If its as crowded as last year I won't stay long.

Ann said...

Meant to add - tetanus shot, arm treated?! What on earth have you been doing?

VP said...

Superb image, perfect angle and colors. From this point of view it's easy to understand how it got its common name. Love the story either.

Anonymous said...

wonderful pictures Julie, they seem to be birds.
Serge

Joan Elizabeth said...

Firstly, this is a fabulous shot, I love they way you have lined up the shapes.

We had a huge clump these in our garden but it got removed in one of the landscaping jobs. I like their spikey unusualness.

Davine said...

Oh that is a beautiful shot. Thanks heaps for your comments on my blog, I really appreciate them. Also remember to have some Julie time tomorrow.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Hey, I just signed up as a follower to your blog ... I wanted to be follower number 200. I can't believe how quickly you graduated from 100 to 200 ... well I can believe it because your work is so creative, photographically excellent and interesting.

Julie said...

*blush*

Elaine Yim said...

I would very much like to plant this beautiful bird of paradise plant. A very unique flower indeed.

elvira pajarola said...

Oh....this magnificient flower brings up sweet memories...:
I bought them many years ago everytime I stayed in Africa....in DAR ES SALAAM....to bring them home with me....I ADORE THEM.... !
The photo is SPLENDID, cara Julie!!Thanks!
ciao ciao elvira

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Oh a beautiful image! I also grew up with these flowers around, and you have captured their full drama. I love it!
Three Rivers Daily Photo

Happily Retired Gal said...

Beautiful vibrant colors in these lovely 'birds' of a non-feathered variety ... my favorites ;-)
Hugs and blessings,

Anonymous said...

Looks very alive to me. Deserved indeed to carry such a name.
Please have a nice Tuesday.

Maia T said...

It is one of my favorite flowers, perhaps because we don't have it in nature. Your photo is breathtaking beautiful with the powerful vivid complementary colors.

Tash said...

Divine photo. Aren't they marvellous flowers. My mother-in-laws favorites.

AB said...

A wonderful repitition in colour and form. Bravo!

Max-e said...

Nice shot Julie.
These are endemic to our area and are wonderful to see in the wild. They are generally quite scraggy, because of the wind