Friday, October 17, 2008

seed time


Four months ago, I blogged about the Southern magnolia with its enormous citronella-scented white flowers that are so associated with the Deep South and sultry, hot afternoons; it's the polished, aristocrat of Southern trees. (See June 9 posting)

Well, the hot summer afternoons are gone for another year, perhaps you miss them, perhaps you don’t. It’s mid-October and we find that the tree is now presenting its bright red seeds. They are as eye-catching as the grand flowers were.

The one I photographed is on the Homesite at Ijams Nature Center.

6 comments:

troutbirder said...

I've enjoyed reading your blog and the pictures as well.

Stephen Lyn Bales said...

Good morning troutbirder.

Thank you. You are on-line early. I imagine that winter is much closer to you than to me.

Enjoy your weekend.

Many thanks.

A Colorful World said...

Lovely photograph of the magnolia pod. It's a marvelous flowering tree.

Stephen Lyn Bales said...

The Southern magnolia is one of my favorite trees. There are two large ones on the grounds where I work. I visit them often.

enjoy your day.

thank you.

Beverly said...

Stephen,

Do you know if birds eat those seeds o' magnolia?

Stephen Lyn Bales said...

Hello Beverly.

I've racked my brain and I cannot remember watching a bird eat the bright red berries of a magnolia, but I AM at that age where I have already forgotten far more than I can presently remember.

I would be shocked if they do not. Seeds that are that brightly colored when they ripen are so to attract attention to themselves. The photograph of the magnolia seed pod looks like a buffet to me. It's very inviting.

The bright red berries of the dogwood I blogged about yesterday were being gobbled up.

Thank you for reading. I hope you are staying warm.