Brunch with Battutah
Hellebore
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 23 March 2008 in Plant & Nature and Portfolio.
Hellebores are valued by gardeners for their winter and early spring flowering period; the plants are surprisingly frost-resistant and many are evergreen.
In the past, they were used for medicinal purposes. Black hellebore was used by the ancients in paralysis, gout and other diseases, more particularly in insanity. The plant is also associated with witchcraft, probably because many Hellebores are poisonous. Some historians believe that Alexander the Great died because of a hellebore overdose, when he took it as medication.
@Dara: Thank you, Dara.
givethemhell from Germany
What a lovely Black Hellebore. Actually it is red, isn't it? I have a white one in my garden. But this year it did not blossom.
23 Mar 2008 6:20am
@givethemhell: Thank you, Eva. We were lucky with this one. Our black one hasn't opened yet either.
Rhys from Darlington, United Kingdom
great close-up, the diffused filter adds to the ambience and effect of the study.
23 Mar 2008 7:06am
@Rhys: Thank you, Rhys. A nice analysis.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Wow, these are Divine, albeit the double-edge sword ;)
23 Mar 2008 7:16am
@Lorraine: Very much so. A great comment. Thank you, Lorraine.
Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa
Wow, what an awesome color! The details are great, like the soft focus on the edges, well done :)
23 Mar 2008 8:06am
@Ina: Thanks so much, Ina.
vu@granby - gilles daigneault from Granby, Québec, Canada
Everything is perfect here,
bravo Michael!
23 Mar 2008 8:46am
@vu@granby - gilles daigneault: Thank you, Gilles. That's a great compliment.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
A beautifully composed and captured image, Michael. A favorite of mine in the early garden. Thank you for sharing it.
23 Mar 2008 10:05am
@Ron: Thank you, Ron. And a great favorite of mine as well.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
A beautiful flower, and a wonderful composition! Excellent detail.
23 Mar 2008 10:15am
@Betty: Thank you so much, Betty.
Porcsin from Debrecen, Hungary
Superb afterwork with this image!
Great and energetic colours!
23 Mar 2008 10:26am
@Porcsin: Thank you, Porcsin.
GJC from Kyoto, Japan
Wonderful rich color here. I like the soft effect here as well.
23 Mar 2008 10:38am
@GJC: Thank you, GJC.
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
Jolie photo pleine de douceur, et nous en avons besoin...
23 Mar 2008 10:46am
@Evelyne Dubos: Merci beaucoup, Evelyn.
@Teresa Durães: Thank you, Teresa.
Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom
You have created a very nice dreamy look with this image, well done
23 Mar 2008 11:38am
@Peter Miller: Thank you, Peter. I appreciate that.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
The is a SMASHING shot!!!Excellent processing! I love it!!!!
23 Mar 2008 11:57am
@Japanalia: Thank you, Gabriela. Hellebores are Marta's favorite flower of the moment.
Photonscribbles from Pune, India
hellebore!!
i feel enlightened..thanks for tht info with tht beautiful capture.
Its amazing how any flower looks so unbelievably awesome :)
23 Mar 2008 12:28pm
@Photonscribbles: That's such a great comment. thank you.
@MadScientist: Many thanks, Ms. Yes, from our garden. My wife is a great fan of hellebores.
@Craig: Many thanks, Craig.
@capture it, share it!: Thank you so much.
Johanne Prescott from Granby,Québec, Canada
Wow, is soo beautiful!! Congratulation!
23 Mar 2008 1:51pm
@Johanne Prescott: Many thanks for visiting my blog.
dpm from Maalé, Maldives
that is a deadly beauty i guess or part of it,cool selective focus
23 Mar 2008 2:20pm
@dpm: Thank you, dpm.
@alex centrella: Many thanks, Alex.
Photographs by M.E. from Encino, United States
deep colors and soft glow - wonderful combination, Michael!
23 Mar 2008 3:46pm
@Photographs by M.E.: Thank you, M.E.
Jrask from Pasadena, United States
Really great shot Michael, the soft edges set it apart from many other flower pictures
23 Mar 2008 4:01pm
@Jrask: Thank you, Joshua. Always best to try something a little different.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
Love the added touch of the blur.. Excellent Michael!
23 Mar 2008 5:11pm
@amy: Thank you, Amy.
Anne from White Rock, Canada
Absolutely lovely! The soft filtered effect and shallow depth of field really make this flower outstanding! :-)
23 Mar 2008 5:34pm
@Anne: Thank you, Anne. That's a great comment.
@e.: Thank you, e.
@standley: Thank you so much, Standley.
@MJ: Many thanks, MJ.
@Eduarda: Thank you, Eduarda.
Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom
Beautiful presentation and an interesting commentary there. Must check the medicine cabinet!
23 Mar 2008 10:40pm
@Ronnie 2¢: Thanks, Ronnie. You wouldn't want to take any Hellebore by mistake.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
wow,i rarely see medicinal plants that are so aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well:)Lovely image,love the soft edges!
24 Mar 2008 2:37am
@tyan: Thank you, Tyan. That's a great comment.
Carraol from Mexico City, Mexico
Beautiful and dangerous flower, it looks so pure!
24 Mar 2008 3:32am
@Carraol: Thank you so much, Carraol.
@pLusOne: Many thanks, P1.
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
Splendid soft foces application, very romantic!
25 Mar 2008 11:31am
@Illuci: Thank you, Erik.
@alla: Thank you, Alla.
Pentax Optio A30
1/125 second
F/3.4
ISO 400
55 mm (35mm equiv.)