Weekly Photo Challenge: Ephemeral

Bud -- Saucer Magnolia

Tiny bud of a Saucer Magnolia

 

From bud to full opening, the glory of this flower — called Saucer Magnolia, Chinese Magnolia, Japanese Magnolia — comes upon us quickly and lasts only a few, albeit fabulous, days.  All too often, brisk winds and sudden drops in temperature take their toll, and the glory fades sooner than the already short bloom time allows.  But oh, what a joy to drive through Knoxville, pointing out full-blown specimens and reveling in their ephemeral charm!

Almost open -- Saucer Magnolia

Almost open — Saucer Magnolia, Knoxville, Tennessee

 

Morning dew -- Saucer Magnolia

Morning after a spring rain — Saucer Magnolia

 

Mature beauty -- Saucer Magnolia

Ephemeral beauty — a Saucer Magnolia, Knoxville, Tennessee

 

For more entries in this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Ephemeral, click here. 

27 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: Ephemeral

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  3. Su Leslie

    These are beautiful shots. I love magnolia (except for the slippery carpet of fallen, bruised petals). 🙂

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      True. Hadn’t even thought of how slippery they can be. Thanks for reading and commenting!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Looking forward to seeing what you produce. I’m trying to learn drawing now just as an experiment, but it’s an art form that requires practice, I’ve found. Keep at it!

      1. createarteveryday

        I will. I’m totally hooked; no turning back. I’d love to see your drawings!! I’m glad you’re experimenting!

  4. CanadianTravelBugs

    Amazing photos…. wow love them!
    Our magnolias in Shanghai were extra short lived this year 🙁 I posted them last week for Fresh and the next night we had a cold snap and they went brown. Shame since they are so lovely.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      We had a hard freeze last night, so all the pictures of these early blooming trees are gone today. It is a shame, isn’t it!!!

      1. CanadianTravelBugs

        Oh that happened here in Shanghai too. We finally had warm weather and the magnolias opened then the cold snap turned them all brown. Shame because they are so beautiful and short lived.

  5. createarteveryday

    These are really fantastic. Makes me want to paint them. Now! 😀 Thanks for sharing them.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      You are quite talented in art, so I’d say, “Go for it!” And if you do, let me know how your painting turns out!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much for commenting. Would you believe that in the space of one 24-hour period, these are all gone — caught by the freeze last night!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      We love seeing these every year. In fact, we know where several big trees are located en route to where we shop and go to church. Look for them every year!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much, Amy. These flowers seem like ones you would love — delicate and pink!

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much, Rajiv. It’s fun getting close to such gorgeous blooms. It makes me really examine them.

  6. Tina Schell

    Very nice! Not familiar with the Saucer Magnolia – so different from our cream-colored magnolia here in Charleston.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      We love seeing these bloom each year, but they don’t last long. In fact, these were snapped away last night by a freeze, so I’m glad I got out and took the pictures when I did. Thanks for the comment.

  7. whichwaynow101

    What a lovely sequence Rusha. I just love the unfolding of spring and your sequence illustrates it beautifully.

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Thanks so much. It was over two mornings, but I’m so glad I got out there in the chill. Blooms are falling off rapidly.

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