Thursday, October 14, 2010

Impatiens

IMG_2539


I tried to catch the bee flying in but it didn't work out so well, the flower looks good though, right? ;)

IMG_2537


Then to get this shot I stepped forward and well, put the bee in shadows. Oh well. This post isn't really about the bee anyway.

IMG_2545


It's about the Impatiens. We have one of those metal double washtub things and the last two summers we've filled the tubs with flowers. When the roses didn't make it through the winter we decided to fill it with annuals. We picked some Impatiens, Marigolds, and Begonias.

I think this was my first experience with Impatiens and I have to tell you that I was surprised by them. They grew taller than I expected, had continual blooms and pretty much choked out the Marigolds and Begonias. The bees, wasps, dragonflies and butterflies loved them! AND, now this is almost the best part. . .

IMG_2542


The seedpods are FUN! My son discovered the thrill and promptly scared every female member of the family by gently handing them one.

IMG_2546


You see, when you squeeze them. . .

IMG_2543


or just try to hold them or pick them up when the seeds are ready, they explode open, flinging seeds everywhere! This caused many screams by the unsuspecting.

IMG_2548


But, they are so much fun when you're expecting the explosion! I had to keep ahold of the pods to get these photos, otherwise you would miss it.

IMG_2549


So, in slow-mo, after it splits down one side, it rolls open, flinging seeds, then rolls back, into a C.

IMG_2551

12 comments:

  1. You learn something new everyday. How neat is that!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How cool is that? I think I will plant some Impatiens next spring!

    And, the bee shot is really cool - you can see the movement of his wings!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think this is my favorite post at lisaschaos of all time. You obviously have higher standards than I, because if I got that bee shot, I'd be declaring success. I adored the story of your clever son and the beguiling seed pod.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brilliant as always! How about those impatiens - I've never liked them much but hadn't realised about the seed pods. It just shows what real observation shows up. What lens did you use for these shots?

    ReplyDelete
  5. So cool!!!
    Your photographs of it are perfection!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cool shots!
    Bee or no bee ;)
    I love those flowers too (never knew their name). Just watch out that they don't spread like wildfire in your garden ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful photos. My sis-in-law plants these in her backyard. It's almost all shade. They're always beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I so do love this series of photos! It's just wonderful to see the flower, the bud, and the whole process of seeds and all. Gorgeous photos!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've done this with the pods - it's fun!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, that's amazing. Incredible shots!

    ReplyDelete