Wednesday September 3, 2008

 

 

Maine

Blackberries, Goldenrod, Rosa rugosa

   

From Saturday’s photo shoot with Xanga friend Michelle (coolmomofeight)

…but first – a few photos from Thursday. 

 

 

When carrying a tub of laundry to the clothesline for Diane, I noticed some wild blackberries, and after hanging up the clothing, investigated (tasted) the situation.  Upon further examination (and another taste), I concluded there were enough ripe ones that I needed containers for holding more of this luscious fruit.

 

 

 Hezekiah, who was nearby, located the boxes, and offered to help.

 

 

 He claimed I ate every fourth berry – and that may be fairly accurate!

 

 

 They were DELICIOUS!

 

~~~

 

Now to the Beach

 

 Everyone should have an out-of-state photographer friend like Michelle who is familiar with backroads and locations known only to locals.

 

 

We’re off to one of her favorite beaches in Maine.

 

 

 I think we could go here a dozen more times, and she would be able to give me new information.

 

 

 We walked slowly, taking in our surroundings like these pine trees.

 

 

 This dead one looked almost petrified…

 

 

 …and in a strange way was kind of pretty when silhouetted against the blue sky.

 

 

 Our first view of the ocean inlet came as we got to the top of the small hill.

 

 

 Before getting our feet wet, we took time for some shots of the sea grass, flowers, and fence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As we got closer, we noticed interesting reds and yellows.

 

 

I recognized the yellow as Goldenrod.

 

 

 

 

 However, I could not identify the pink flowers with red apple-like fruit…

 

 

…that covered much of the area.

 

 

 

 

 Upon further research – the Internet – I discovered that these are Rosa rugosa (other names are:  Rugosa rose, saltspray rose, beach tornado).

 The following dialog about Rosa rugosa is from the Internet – but the photos are mine.

 

   

Opening in June, these 2 1/2 to 3 1/2″ blooms sweeten the air and attract bumblebees with their fragrance. 

 

 

The blooms will continue sporadically until frost.

 

 

 

 It may sprawl a little more than the hybrid teas that we see nowadays, and the flower petals tend to flop this way and that.

 

 

 All in all, it often has a kind of shaggy, unkempt air about it, but that’s what gives this plant its character.

 

 

 With colors ranging from white to yellow, pink, and purple, these gorgeous blooms can be either single, semi-double, or double. 

 

 

 The blooms later give way to luscious brick-red rose hips so large that they look like cherry tomatoes.

 

 

 

 The orange to red rose hips are oval and glossy, lasting until late autumn.

 

 

 The stems are incredibly spiny, densely covered in short, gray, needlelike thorns about 1/4 to 1/2″ long.

 

 

Okay, it’s time to head for the beach.

 

 

 I could hardly wait to walk on the sand and in the salty waves.

 

 

 …but those pictures will have to wait until tomorrow night.