The world needs who you were made to be.
Anonymous
Southern magnolias have been a part of me all my life. From the time I was born in Louisiana and then moved to Arkansas and Tennessee, I’ve never been without these gracious gems of trees, towering over lawns and stately homes (humble ones as well) with their glossy green leaves and velvety white tepals unfolding for all to see.

And so with the Lens-Artists Challenge #101: One Single Flower from Cee Neuner, a photographer who has taught many the art of photographing flowers, I bring you the mysterious Magnolia Grandiflora.
Looking almost the part of a woman covering her face with a shawl or burqa, the magnolia remains hidden as it emerges from its budding state.

Almost too quickly, however, it reveals (coyly, as it were) the inner beauty and depth of color as the creamy white folds unfurl gracefully.

The anatomy of the carpels atop the stamen is a grand miracle of nature, revealing order, symmetry, and inner beauty surrounded by white clothing.

And then full on, Magnolia Grandiflora deserves its name, for it commands the attention of all who come within range, unable to resist a look inside, even if they have to stand on tiptoe.

Almost when the bloom has reached its peak, a magnolia will spill forth its beauty as it holds fast to creamy layers, knowing that browning will come quickly.
And those who are near are rewarded with nature’s most appealing scent.

“Like the magnolia tree,
She bends with the wind,
Trials and tribulation may weather her,
Yet, after the storm her beauty blooms,
See her standing there, like steel,
With her roots forever buried,
Deep in her Southern soil.”
― Nancy B. Brewer, Letters from Lizzie
Stop by Cee’s blog for more gorgeous floral entries in Lens-Artists Challenge #101, and join Patti of P. A. Moed for the next release on June 20, 2020.
Rusha Sams
All photos from iPhone Xs.
Anne Sandler
Amazing macros!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks! My iPhone worked just fine!!!
Anne Sandler
I can’t believe those were cell pictures! Wow!!
Pilgrimage Studio
Beautiful!! 🌟😊🌟
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much. I love these flowers every June!!!
Abrie Joubert
Wow excellent macro photography and observation. Good to see that despite all the places you see, you take time to see inside a flower.
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you for this very kind comment. I love looking inside flowers — there’s a whole other world in there! And since I can’t travel much right now, I’m enjoying looking more closely at what’s at hand.
Rupali
Lovely macros of magnolia.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. It’s fun getting up close and personal with flowers!!!
Reflections of an Untidy Mind
I too am charmed by your magnolia flower photos. Such wonderful detail. Have you heard the song Magnolia Tree, by Truckstop Honeymoon? It is what I think of first when I think of magnolias.
Oh, the Places We See
I haven’t heard that song, but my husband is more “up” on good music. I’ll ask him!!!
Reflections of an Untidy Mind
You can find it on that popular music video place. 🙂
Cee Neuner
Oh what fantastic macros you have delighted us with. White is so hard to capture and you absolutely nailed each and every photo. So very awe-inspiring 😀
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. That means a lot coming from you. And can you believe these were taken with an iPhone? It is really a pretty good little camera!
pattimoed
Beautiful images and words, Rusha. It’s clear that you adore this flower! It’s one of my favorite flowers and scents when we’re visiting the South.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s an all- time favorite for me. I grew up with these. For the flowers to be so elegant, they come from fairly ordinary trees in the South!
pattimoed
Elegant…yes. A good way to describe them.
kzmcb
Beautifully written and phographed.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. Do you have any of those trees where you live?
kzmcb
Not in my state, usually. They’re found in the top half of Australia where it’s tropical. Our frosts and summers would destroy them. I’ve admired them, there, for their simple beauty and delightful fragrance.
Sue
Absolutely beautiful!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks! It a joy to take pictures of these beautiful flowers! 🌸
Sue
Indeed!
Tina Schell
Gorgeous images Rusha. I know what you mean about the height – many’s the time I’ve stood on my car hood to shoot some of the higher blooms 😊. Like you, I absolutely adore the magnificent magnolia. As a northerner by birth I’ve come to love them as my favorite southern blossom – although I must admit the scent of jasmine is a strong contender!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for reading and commenting. There are many blooms that can’t be reached, but that just may be God’s way if letting us appreciate some things from a distance. I love magnolias and don’t know that I’ve been near enough jasmine to know the smell. So I now have a new adventure lined up!!
Amy
Such a treat to see the details of this special tree flower. Beautifully captured, Rusha!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Amy. Blooms usually start in May her, but go through June. It’s about this time that I walk in earnest around the neighborhood, so maybe the flowers are God’s reward!!
Anonymous
Love the beautiful tree and blooms…
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much for taking a look and leaving me a note. I love how pretty they are and how lovely they smell.
maristravels
Wow! You really have shown us beauty in these photographs.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I love photographing them, but the really pretty ones are getting too high!!! Appreciate your taking the time to look. Hope your summer is going well even with a slow recovery right now.