This flower has a very short life for viewing....it is open for exactly one day, and that is it! So, if you don't happen to notice that it is going to bloom or is blooming, you will have missed it and it won't be back for another whole year.
To see ten or twelve of these blooms all in one day is just magnificent! An embarassment of riches, one might say....They are so lush and exotic. And if you look closely, in the picture above, way over on the lower right side is one flower that has already closed up----it had been opened the day before....also, those four little knobs you see on each of those arms, are potential flowers that still have a long way to go before they open.
And in this slightly closer look above, you can see those little knobs a bit better. I love the translucent look of these flowers from this particular side view....And those lovely dark-red outside protective leaves surrounding the flower...gorgeous! There is something quite magical about these flowers. Here below, a closer look.
This flower above is about to open, but has not quite gotten there yet.... And here below...a bloom from the same angle that has already opened for it's day of life.....
And here below, looking down into the blossoms.....
I tell you these take your breath away. There is no way to describe the feeling when looking at these magical flowers.....Again, it reminds you of the unexplainable extrordinary gifts in nature.....Looking closer now below.....
And now, even closer.....
The delicacy....the fragile incredible delicacy....it just moves me so. I think this next picture is my very favorite close-up of these flowers because you see it all....the delicacy, the softness of each petal, the beautiful delicate interior.....you see the true glory of nature.
I wanted to post one more picture. And here it is below. This one from a different plant but the same family. I took this last year, and it was on a Friday, when the sprinklers go on and so that is why there are water drops on the petals....A different plant, and a different color.
Enjoy!More To Come......
- had this to say:
Breathetakingly Gorgeruos!!!
Wow!
I took seme fer scareen severs on my cemuter I hoped thet is okey theyr just soooo miraculous!
Tahenk you feour sharink them with us.
Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=':'=) hugs
(")_ (")Š from
the Cool Raggedy one- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:30:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
These are absolutely beautiful. They are so delicate. Such a shame they only last one day. I'm so glad you got pictures of them!
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 12:22:00 PM PDT
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I stopped by after reading your Trump comment at Utenzi (I was amused!) and glad I did. That is gorgeous. I have nothing that lovely in my garden, for sure. Thanks for sharing and brightening my day.
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 1:16:00 PM PDT
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The last picture was my favorite.
My grandmother would have been crazy about your garden because she loved succulents.
I'm a shade garden person myself, but the beauty of flowers that you have captured can be appreciated in either preference/persuasion.
Happy and healthy Friday afternoon to you, Lady !- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 1:39:00 PM PDT
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Spectacular flowers, Naomi! They are so delicate and sensual looking!
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 1:51:00 PM PDT
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Wow...those are amazing; it's a shame they only bloom one day a year. It's almost like wasted beauty...or maybe people appreciate them more for it.
Michele doesn't know it (cause her comments are wonked) but she sent me today :)- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 3:05:00 PM PDT
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Oh Dear you, you are the most unique to communicate with words and pictures I have ever experienced. Simply because you Give. That's a gift. Most people need strokes and strokes only. But you pour out your generousity for the whole world. You really share something genuin.
Wish I could sit in your garden and see both sunrise and sunset - in between walk between all your wonderful "babies" (plants) and and have a wonderful time listning to all your memories...
btw. we will be back to US next year. Michigan will be a must - then CA. U See, I plan ahead- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 3:10:00 PM PDT
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well, there's no denying that your babies are really coming alive for you!.. they are incredible photo's Naomi!!
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 4:45:00 PM PDT
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Utterly and completely gorgeous. There are so many people who don't understand or know about the beauty living in the world of the succulents. These are just so beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Cindi- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 5:36:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
These breathtakingly lovely blossoms that live for only one day each year remind me of the Thornbird legend about a bird that sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. ...
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 5:46:00 PM PDT
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I stopped by to see the flowers after reading your comment on Rachels blog. Absolutely breathtaking. I wish I had a camera like yours. May I ask what kind of camera you have?
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 6:04:00 PM PDT
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I'm so glad you posted these pictures. I love your garden. I have a cactus that must be in the same family type as that one but it limbs are shorter. It has the same type of bloom in all white with no pink. Can you tell me what the name of the family of cacti is? I love seeing the animals and birds in your garden. You also have a lovely voice to your words.
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 6:15:00 PM PDT
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Can we trade gardens? Yours is so much cooler than mine!
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 6:47:00 PM PDT
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Thanks for dropping over at my blog.
Those flowers are amazing. Gorgeous! The photos took my breath away. You are a wonderful photographer. Thank you for sharing.- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 6:49:00 PM PDT
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Awesome! Great photos. Love the cacti! You're blessed. Did you know I grew up in the desert?
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 7:42:00 PM PDT
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Hi again. I was born and raised in Southern Arizona right on the Mexican Border--Douglas. The desert is in my blood. I tell you I miss it.
You can read all about it at My Other Blog. It takes awhile and you can't leave comments. But it's an entertaining read.
http://douglasaz.blogspot.com/ There's a link on Writing From the Hip, too.- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 7:55:00 PM PDT
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The glow in the petals blows me away, Naomi. You've inspired me to get back into florals. It's how I started, and it's calling me again. Thanks to you.
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 7:57:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Absolutely heart stopping spectacular! They are like vessels of sweet light, although from a distance they look like feather dusters! So tender. Show stoppers!!
- Friday, June 15, 2007 at 8:02:00 PM PDT
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Hard to find a word to describe these flowers, they are more than beautiful and oh, so special! only one day...and you were right there to take the right pictures, wonderful! Again :)
It's a pleasure for the eyes and one's soul.- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 12:45:00 AM PDT
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They are beautiful and breathtaking. The flowers and the photos.
Here from Michele's.- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 2:17:00 AM PDT
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Thank you for stopping by and offering to look up the cactus name for me. I have had my cactus for 15 years and it started out as one and has multipled so many times. It has outgrown the containers until I finally bought the container it's in now. If it outgrows this one, then I am going to plant it in the ground but I'm afraid it will break apart when I have to move it. I'll put a picture up this morning of it so you can see it. I am in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on the Gulf Coast closer to Alabama.
- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 2:31:00 AM PDT
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You know i always love your garden and flower post and this was amazing. The flower is so exotic to a Norwegian you know and even if we had it indoors it wont bloom like yours. You really seams to have green fingers Naomi!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Btw: Thanks for your support on my Slow Food post - glad you liked it:-)- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 4:10:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Beautiful! I especially love that 1st picture. You must have such a wonderful garden :)
I hope you're having a good weekend!- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 5:38:00 AM PDT
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How gorgeous!!!!! what are they called? I've never heard of a flower that only blooms for one day, but leave it to you to have them!! You're your own little botanical garden...
- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 6:44:00 AM PDT
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Naomi, they are lovely!! Amazing that they only open one day of each year! A brief treasure to enjoy and look forward to each year.
Wonderful pictures as usual dear Naomi!! I love the one that has the water droplets on it. So pretty!!!- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 8:55:00 AM PDT
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Each flower is a work of art, and their art gallery is open for ONLY one day a year.
I'm glad you captured several of them on their glorious "coming out" day!!- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 9:18:00 AM PDT
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What a coincidence; I have a plant in my garden that only flowers for one day a year - called a Day Lily, and I was planning to take pictures.....
Great minds think alike...... :-)
I think I did you proud today; I was among the first finishers in the Walkers, and didn't hurt myself at all!
cq- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 11:54:00 AM PDT
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Saw your blog mentioned on Ragus Pug so we stopped by to have a look. What a pleasant surprise!! Your gardens are beautiful.
- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 12:11:00 PM PDT
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Naomi wouldn't it be sad if they all bloomed on the same day? But you have a continuing feast of delights. They are like an exquisite corps de ballet. Thank you for sharing them. Hi from Michele
- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 2:39:00 PM PDT
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Awesome. Just beautiful!
- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 6:13:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
What beautiful flowers. A few of the pictures actually reminded me of coral in the ocean. I could easily spend hours gazing at them. I imagine you do.
Michele sent me tonight...- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 6:45:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, thank you so much for the information on the cactus. I'll be watching your post to see more of the beauty of your cacti and gardens. I feel so lucky to have had my cactus this long and hopefully longer.
- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 9:05:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
I would so love to get into macro photography, but I don't think I have the right camera.
Beautiful.
~K!- Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 9:26:00 PM PDT
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As usual, you plant photos are SUPURB!!!
Here from Michele's this evening...
Bernie- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 12:13:00 AM PDT
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So stunning!!!
M.- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 7:45:00 AM PDT
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Beautiful. Now that school is ending, I hope to get out and do some planting. It's very therapeutic and allows me to think deeply.
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 9:08:00 AM PDT
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I can't believe all that effort for one day of life! Amazing. Beautiful. A miracle, for sure.
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 10:17:00 AM PDT
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Thanks Naomi for let me know about your update. What a gorgeous, stunning photos! These flowers are just wonderful! Wow! It is open for exactly one day!! Love the photos of sequences of them! The petals are so transparent, so delicate... fantastic! It is very difficult to choose one, but I think that the last picture was my favorite!
Here the weather is warm and the sky is very blue! A nice day I enjoyed with Carlos, Sofia, Fernando and also with Flora, for sure!
Many hugs! Have a nice Sunday!- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 11:29:00 AM PDT
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I love the delicate green in the center of the last one, and though they are all beautiful, I love the first photo too. Hi from me and Michele.
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 12:31:00 PM PDT
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Naomi... I would never have likely seen those flowers if you hadn't captured them. I have begun to look at cacti in such a broader way since I began reading your blog. Those are just lovely, extraordinary looking flowers. :)
~S- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 12:54:00 PM PDT
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Dear Naomi, thanks for your hugs!
Flora loved it! And I am sending a big hug to Sweetie and again a big hug to you!
Wow! June 27 is coming up soon!!!- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 1:13:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
They are soooo gorgeous! I've been trying to learn alot about gardening since I have to put nice flowers on my new flat.
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 4:47:00 PM PDT
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Stunning - lit from within with an otherworldly glow. Love your gardens and love your photography always, dear Naomi - thanks for making my world a bit more beautiful.
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 8:23:00 PM PDT
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All of the pictures are breathtaking! Did the bees flock to these flowers or hummingbirds? How could bees and butterflies resist! My favorite is the last one with the delicate pink color and the beaded droplets. Just lovely!
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 8:32:00 PM PDT
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beautiful flowers Naomi ... *looks out of the window where it is pouring down* I always envy your climate that allows them to grow!
- Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 10:22:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Here's the link you wanted:
http://www.anythingtodowithsuperheroes.com/
(copy and paste it into your browser and it should work)- Monday, June 18, 2007 at 2:21:00 AM PDT
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BRAVO!!! They are marvelous! From the side they look sO feathery! Very delicate.... beautiful!
- Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 4:03:00 PM PDT
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I found the post with the flower- wow just exquisite isn't it? The last picture in partiuclar is so beautiful. Thanks for giving us all these beautiful pictures. Imagine a coffee table book. I for one would buy it.
- Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 4:38:00 PM PDT
x4
