Proteaceae Resplendent

"The sunrays fell violently upon the calm sea—seemed to shatter themselves upon an adamantine surface into sparkling dust, into a dazzling vapour of light that blinded the eye and wearied the brain with its unsteady brightness." -- Joseph Conrad
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"sparkling dust"...   photo pro4581_zps2ac3424f.jpg
On Sunday morning, the Proteas and Leucospermums at Roger's Gardens were glowing hot in harsh light.   
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The flowers at different stages in their development:
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The yellow Leucospermums planted there last year have at least doubled in size, and in full bloom for our visit, dazzled the eyes.  Happy, happy plants.  
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Backed by a golden Cupressus macrocarpa, the yellow was almost overwhelming, "wearied the brain with its unsteady brightness."
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Viewed back lit, the effect was even more intense.  A Leucadendron there at lower right.
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" a dazzling vapour of light"
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Labeled as "Orange Protea"
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 Even illuminating a mere Juncus, the bright light was powerful.  It is developing the merciless strength of spring and summer.  
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A weeping ornamental Cherry near a splashing fountain was a splatter of glare.     
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Back at home, Leucadendron 'Ebony', about to bloom, seemed soothing rather than somber.    
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Comments

  1. Lovely quote, and I really like the image after "sparkling dust..." -- very nice!

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  2. Beautiful plants, the colours are bright and dazzling.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  3. Brilliant photography! Beautiful blooms and plants!

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  4. Really, I am going have to stop looking at your posts if they are just going to give me another case zone envy, especially from those beautiful backlit Leucospermums.

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  5. Just stunning. One of my favorite group of plants. We can grow some leucadendrons (I have an 'Ebony', for example) here in the western Sacramento Valley but leucospermums are not quite hardy. Although I'm very close to giving it a try myself.

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  6. Beautiful photos - I especially like the 2nd one from the top. I took photos of the same yellow Leucospermum on my last visit to Roger's, although it was a cruel reminder that I managed to kill a seedling I picked up at the South Coast Flower Show last year - I was warned to avoid giving it too much water and erred, I think, by giving it too little.

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  7. Happy happy plants...and happy happy me, wallowing in the beauty of your backlit photos.

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  8. Lovely close-ups and the quote is great!

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