Saturday, June 18, 2011

Milking a hollyhock

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Oh crop! -- I forgot to crop out my shielding hand.
Oh well, at least it shows you this hollyhock is taller than me.
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I was shooting into the setting sun, trying to catch the shadows of the stem and buds coming through the back-lit petals.
That would be for Shadow Shot Sunday, of course.
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Now if you enlarge the photo and find at least two ants, it can count for Camera-Critters too.
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The hardy hollyhock appeared out of nowhere last month, sprouting up between ancient floor stones.
This month it is tall and blooming, with not a drop of water.
Hollyhocks give it their best for a short time during the hot dry Israeli summer and then they are gone.
That should qualify it for inclusion in Robin's meme, Summer Stock Sunday.
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Nu, have I milked this flower for all it's worth?
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30 comments:

  1. The hollyhocks are pretty, it is amazing they get so tall.

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  2. But the hand adds such a lovely touch to the hollyhock photo! Glad you didn't crop it out!


    I ONCE HAD A SHADOW

    I once had a shadow—or did it have me?
    My shadow and I could never agree.
    I would say something, she’d say the reverse;
    Our arguments flared, my lips I would purse,
    Refusing to speak to her anymore—
    So my shadow got up and marched out the door!
    I have not seen her from that day to this—
    That’s one stubborn shadow I surely don’t miss!


    © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

    Shadow Guards

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  3. We rather love seeing your hand there shielding the hollyhock! We love those tall blooms...just planted a buch of seed behind the store - so we can't wait until they grow :)

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  4. I like holly hocks. They're hardy in all kinds of weather.

    Happy Camera Critter Day. Here is my LINK Hope to see you stop by for a visit!!

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  5. How lovely. I like the hand in the photo, giving it more perspective.

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  6. I see the critters.
    Gotta admire hollyhocks, they are such determined survivors. I have quite a few "volunteer" hollyhocks in my semi-tamed back yard.
    I agree, glad you didn't crop your hand out of the photo.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  7. Actually, I quite like the hand, it adds scale and a bit of counterpoint.

    Nicely shot Dina. Hollyhocks are blooming all over around here. They always make me smile me with how crazy tall they get.

    -----------------------------------
    My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

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  8. It's fine to have your hand in the flowering photo! Someday I hope to shake that hand! Maybe even get a CDP blog hug?
    Rainy regards from friendly Eagan

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  9. Gotta hand it to you, Dina! Hollyhocks are wonderful plants to have blooming. This one is determined and hardy!

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  10. Oh, these are pretty flowers. I like that photo with your arm.
    Hope you have a happy weekend Dina, hugs form north

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  11. You certainly do get a lot out of one photograph! Isn't it amazing how flowers can shoot up in all sorts of places that seem impossible? You captured a beauty!

    I, too, like the hand in the picture.

    http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/06/alphabe-thursday-i-is-for-india-june-16.html

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  12. What a strength filled flower it seems to be.

    Please have you all a good Sunday.

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  13. I love that it appeared out of the stone
    and that it gets so tall

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  14. Nice photo! I love hollyhocks. I grow some but they never get very tall or have many buds. Here's one from last year - link

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  15. I like your hand in that picture. It's personal, more than just a flower shot.
    Have a good week ahead!

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  16. hi beautiful Dina, what a pretty flower in the first portrait, I love that your hand is held up to the flower, that is so poetical as if you are communicating with the flower....well you probably are.....

    Oh it is ecstasy here, some springs can be rainy with temperamental weather in general but not this year.I experienced 3 gorgeous cherry blossom trees by my place....
    may you continue along the divine floral path
    love and light
    shalom my excellent friend

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  17. Haha! That's a cute post! And a cute flower. And I hadn't heard of a Hollyhock before. Enjoy your weekend :)

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  18. We used to have a crop growing out of an air vent in front of our house when we were in Holland.
    It came out of nowhere, born by the wind.

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  19. They are pretty, I guess there is water enough under the pavers.

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  20. Yes, and they are indestructible, had some in our garden when I was a kid. Glorious first photo!

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  21. I think the Italian for this is 'malva', but I am not sure...

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  22. The hollyhock is my favourite flower and last year I had some lovely ones but this year they left me in the lurch! It's always a surprise what colour they turn out.
    Thanks for the visit!

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  23. Beautiful the hollyhocks between the ancient floor stones.

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  24. It's beautiful flower and lovely colour! I can't see the ants and maybe it's my eyes..lol

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  25. I'm glad you left your hand in the photo. Nu, I understand what the title means. You are funny.

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  26. Isn't it amazing where plants can grow? I will post one growing and blooming on tiles soon! :-)

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  27. ooh, great lighting! I like your hand being in the pic, too, it shows the forethought that went into getting it 'just right'!

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  28. Shalom Dina! You certainy did find a lot to do with this one beautiful hollyhock. I enjoyed finding those two ants!

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  29. I love a hardy and beautiful plant like this. It's a metaphor of life.

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