Monday, February 28, 2011

Tiny blossoms of Mahonia signal spring in my garden... February 2011

Mahonia blossoms
Along about mid-February every year, I have to go out in the garden and see what is happening... and ever since I planted a Mahonia bush on the north side of my house, these tiny yellow blossoms are one of the first signs that winter is over!

This image was taken with my 105mm macro lens and ALL THREE Kenko extension tubes stacked together (36mm, 20mm and 12mm)... which explains the soft focus and extremely shallow depth of field. If you are unfamiliar with Mahonia, the blossoms are each about the size of a green pea and will soon have bees buzzing about to gather nectar.

If you are unfamiliar with Mahonia, the plant has very stiff leaves with spiny tips (holly leaf shape) which make it hard to get close in to photograph the bees. Every year I try so I'm sure you will see at least one post later in the spring to show this year's attempt at capturing them busy at work.

7 comments:

  1. Oh you lucky women you have spring. That is so amazing. We still have one meter snow and -10 degrees so it takes about two months until spring starts.
    Enjoy your garden:)

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  2. The close-up of the blossom and "Mahonia" sparked my memory, then I put them together: "Mahonia aquifolium", known here as Oregon Grape or Barberry. It grows wild nearly everywhere in this area, but doesn't bloom until early in April here. An old favorite!

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  3. Oh WOW.. Your shot looks amazing..

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  4. Very cute blooms! Nicely done!

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  5. It reminds me of barberry, too. But they bloom with the trilliums in May. Lovely delicate blossoms.

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  6. Yes, Victoria, I AM unfamiliar with Mahonia...but not anymore! This is a perfect pastel palette (PPP) for spring and is so satisfying to see. Thank you.

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  7. Gorgeous selective focus, composition, and DoF.

    Spring is still keeping us waiting here Victoria!

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