red flower

Macro Monday #78

/ Heyjude / 20 Comments

(click to enlarge to full size)

Tulip ‘Avignon Parrot’ in late bud form

This year I added a new French Parrot tulip with long stems and an outrageously large  flower head. In retrospect possibly too large for my windswept plot.  From green buds unfurl brilliant orange blooms. The feathered flowers have hints of pink and green brushed along the petals. The finished article combines  tomato red, a sweet pink flame and an apricot-yellow edge.

‘Avignon Parrot’ with the elegant ‘Ballerina’

There is a non-parrot type with the same colouring, but with a neat goblet-shaped head which seems eminently more acceptable.

Named in 1966 after the Southern French city of Avignon where the pope had his palace in the Middle Ages and also famous for its ruined bridge.

“Sur le Pont d’Avignon,
On y danse, On y danse.
Sur le Pont d’Avignon,
On y danse tous en rond.”

I have to say I am not overly fond of this tulip, and I never thought I would say that about a tulip!

Alternative Advent #9

/ Heyjude / 15 Comments

In the period leading to Christmas some people buy an Advent Calendar to check off each day before December 25. Usually intended for children, it appears that in recent years there has been a rise in the popularity of luxury ones aimed at indulgent adults who feel the necessity to treat themselves on the run-up to the big day itself – from expensive candles and perfume to miniature bottles of Prosecco or Whisky and even chunks of cheese.

So I thought to balance all this extravaganza I would offer you an alternative in the form of a flower a day from Sunday 3rd December until Sunday 24th December.

All images taken on a mid-November day along the George V Memorial Walk alongside Copperhouse Pool in Hayle using my Olympus OM-D E-M10 and 40-150mm lens