Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sweet Magnolias -- One of God's Masterpieces

Midday rain, wind, and thunderstorms swept through Vicksburg yesterday, but they moved through quickly leaving bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds. It was so nice after the rain that I couldn't resist grabbing my camera and going over to the National Military Park, which is about ten minutes from my house.

I had a plan in mind ... to take some pictures of the magnificent old Grandiflora magnolia trees in the Vicksburg National Cemetery. The magnolias are blooming now and as I walked among the trees, there was a light breeze blowing and the sweet, heavenly scent of the blossoms surrounded me.

I love the old moss-covered limbs, gnarly trunks, and twisted roots of the trees, and captured some of them with my camera (to see the amazing details of these trees, please click on the pictures to enlarge them) ...




Notice how the grave markers have been embraced by the roots of this tree ...






I wanted to get some close up pictures of the magnolia blossoms, but all of the trees are huge, and most of the flowers were way above my head. However, "where there's a will, there's a way," and I did manage (thanks to my telephoto lens) to get a few interesting pictures.



I think magnolia blossoms are beautiful, no matter what stage of their "bloom life" they're in. Just look at the elegance of this blossom which is way past its "prime" ...

One of God's masterpieces ...

These are the blossoms I captured "from a distance." I hope to add some "close up and personal" pictures of magnolia blossoms soon. In fact, after I returned home yesterday afternoon, I noticed a bud that may open today on a lower branch of one of our Gem Magnolias. I am going to keep an eye on it to try to catch it in the different stages of blooming.

I hope you have magnolias where you live and can take time to enjoy their elegant blossoms and their heavenly perfume. They are truly awe-inspiring.



8 comments:

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I just love coming to your blog, even though I live in the great State and get to see these treasure first hand, you have a way of capturing then for life. And showing little sections that I sometimes overlook.
The Master is the greatest Artist of all times.
Molly

Lisa said...

What a spectacular tree! I don't know that I've ever seen a magnolia tree that big! I love your blog and so appreciate your talent. You're so good to share it with us (: Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Julie @ Sweet Chaos said...

I would so love to have Magnolias around here. Seems like they just don't grow like that in my area... I'm headed to Savannah in the first of June & really hope to catch some things in their last stages of blooming before it gets too late. We'll see. Oh, how I do love those magnolias.

Also, in MS, do they say mag-nol-ya or mag-nol-e-a ? People don't say it correctly "way up north" in Cincinnati!

Southern Lady said...

Julie, we pronounce it "mag-nol-ya," here in the South, and when you're in Savannah in June, I'm sure you will love the way the Savannahians pronounce it.

Unknown said...

Janie,
Those are wonderful photos. Nothing speaks the south as well as a pretty magnolia blossom!

Beth at Aunties said...

Janie,

What a treat to see the southern Magnolia. We have a northern one which looks a bit different. It is beautiful!
Do have a Happy Mother's day!

Celene said...

Beautiful! I dearly love Magnolia blossoms. They smell heavenly and are so pretty. I live in Illinois, but you do see one once in a while around here, never really mature ones though. They must not make it that long with our winters. I think you are a most talented photographer. Blessings, Celene

The Quintessential Magpie said...

So lovely...

XO,

Sheila :-)