Friday, October 4, 2013

The Elusive Spider Lilies


For the past two weeks, I have been looking high and low for spider lilies to photograph.  I had almost given up hope of finding any when, lo and behold, I discovered a pretty little patch practically in my backyard.  

They were growing on a hillside near a church about two minutes from our house, and I was on my way to run a couple of errands when I happened to see them.


I was so excited and could hardly wait to get back home and get my cameras and "wet grass shoes." By the time I finished photographing them, the knees of my jeans were soaking wet and my hair was limp from the humidity, but that was okay ... I had finally captured my elusive spider lilies.  


To be such simple little flowers perched  on top of straight, leafless stems, they are truly exquisite up close. 

 



I've saved my favorite for last.  I love the bright red against the dark background.


When the spider lilies bloom in the South, it is usually a sign that Fall is not far away. Like Daisies in the Spring, they're bright and happy-looking little flowers, and are such a beautiful way to herald Fall's arrival!  

May your week be as bright and happy!

9 comments:

Loui♥ said...

J~ these are simply exquisite!
love them all.. but..
you definitely saved the best for last!!
so glad you did!
thanks for sharing..
Loui♥

Stacey said...

I don't see them around us. However, I was at my Dad's last week...he lives in a 104 year old house. The spider lilies were blooming in the neighborhood all around him. So pretty!

Richard Cottrell said...

One of my favorite. We have something like these, not spider, here in Mo. Light pink. The spiders will not grow here, winters are too cold. Every time i go to N
atchez in the fall these are blooming and I am so jealous. Thanks for the pictures

C M Designs said...

I love your elusive spider lilies, Janie. They are a beautiful shade of red.. Had never heard about spider lilies so thank you for sharing these pictures..
Would liked to have seen you on your quest to take their pictures.
Enjoy your weekend.
Charlotte in Va.

Beth said...

I'm so glad you found them so you could share with us! They are beautiful!

Pat said...

I have never seen lilies like these ... How beautiful! And, amazingly beautiful photos.

I love visiting Mississippi through the lens of your camera. Thanks Janie.

Pat in Tallahassee

RachelD said...

These are my absolute favorites to come upon, for I always think of them as "wild" flowers---not in the not-cultivated sense, but that there's such a brilliant abandon to them, almost a rebellion against flower-fashion, as it were.

They stick those proud torches out there, waving them to the bees, and are never content with the mere standing---they wave and flaunt and hoist their cheery banners above petal and stem like tall gaudy Mardi Gras floats assembled by the kids who grabbed the best crayons, and who DO run with the scissors.

You and your wet grass shoes DO get around, M'Dear, and where they take you---I'll follow anywhere.

Simply stunning.

rachel

ps I'm already thinking of what the demure callas and the elegant trumpets must think of their dashing cousins, and how they must envy and pout.

Churaipon Chintakanont Klaijumlang said...

Thank you for introducing me to a new 'splendid' beautiful flower - Spider Lilies.

Vett Vandiver said...

GORGEOUS flowers!!