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!
For more entries in this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Ephemeral, click here.
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Su Leslie
These are beautiful shots. I love magnolia (except for the slippery carpet of fallen, bruised petals). 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
True. Hadn’t even thought of how slippery they can be. Thanks for reading and commenting!
quarksire
right on 😎
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much! Love the smiley face!
createarteveryday
I will! Thanks!
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!
createarteveryday
I will. I’m totally hooked; no turning back. I’d love to see your drawings!! I’m glad you’re experimenting!
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.
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!!!
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.
createarteveryday
These are really fantastic. Makes me want to paint them. Now! 😀 Thanks for sharing them.
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!
Sue
Glorious!
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!
Sue
Yes, I can believe…. 😞
anotherday2paradise
So magnificent. I love to see Magnolia trees in bloom. 🙂
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!
Amy
Beautiful ephemeral post! Lovely magnolia.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Amy. These flowers seem like ones you would love — delicate and pink!
Rajiv
A beauty
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Rajiv. It’s fun getting close to such gorgeous blooms. It makes me really examine them.
Tina Schell
Very nice! Not familiar with the Saucer Magnolia – so different from our cream-colored magnolia here in Charleston.
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.
whichwaynow101
What a lovely sequence Rusha. I just love the unfolding of spring and your sequence illustrates it beautifully.
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.