Lens-Artists Challenge #337 – Bold
While walking at Copperfield Nature Trail (Austin, Texas), I saw this flower for the very first time. I was surprised to see it there at the entrance of the trail because I had never noticed it. Its bold colors and presence got my attention. I was there at the right time of the day.
So, to address Sofia’s challenge this week, I want to showcase the boldness of the Four O’clock flower or Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa). Spring will arrive in the northern hemisphere in a few weeks. This is an early celebration of its arrival. Sofia wrote, “I invite you to begin and to be bold. As photographers, we capture other people’s boldness. Perhaps on the path of being wise, all of us.“
“You can cut all the flowers,
but you can’t keep spring from coming.”
Pablo Neruda
This perennial flower has a striking and bold deep pink or magenta-purple color. The flowers only open in the evenings (or late afternoons, when I made these photos). The flowers are drought tolerant and like sunny and partially shaded areas. Because they tend to spread quickly, they are excellent plants for ground cover. They bloom from late spring until fall.
The fact it opens in the late afternoon symbolizes a boldness to break the mold.
Its nighttime blooming can also be a metaphor for finding your boldness in unexpected moments or hidden strengths.
Its bold color is unapologetically a sign showing us to embrace bold colors in our lives, whether in fashion, photography, or personality. I love striking colors and scenery in my own photography.
Plant seeds of boldness in your path and dare to bloom.
“Boldness doesn’t mean rude, obnoxious, loud, or disrespectful. Being bold is being firm, sure, confident, fearless, daring, strong, resilient, and not easily intimidated. It means you’re willing to go where you’ve never been, willing to try what you’ve never tried, and willing to trust what you’ve never trusted. Boldness is quiet, not noisy.“
Mike Yaconelli
Ann-Christine created a challenge like we had never seen before: one image. The stories you told us with your beautiful photos were touching and revealing. Now, we are asked to be bold in Sofia’s latest challenge. What will you post? I am excited to see your photo(s). Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, it will be John’s turn to lead us in a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
Some of these images were focus-stacked anywhere from five to ten at times. I seldom use that technique because I enjoy the beauty of a shallow depth of field in photography. That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this photo, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Austin, Copperfield Nature Trail, Four O’Clock Flower, Lens-Artists, Macros, Marvel of Peru, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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prmckee1
You captured the extraordinarily intense color perfectly.
margaret21
Bold indeed. Bold and beautiful.
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks.
Marie
Wonderful color. I especially love the Rising Above shot.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Marie.
marina
gorgeous!!!!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Marina.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Stunning bold floral, Egidio! How wonderful to stumble upon it and enjoy its beauty!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Terri.
bushboy
What an amazing bold colour to find
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brian.
Tina Schell
These are wonderful Egidio, and how fun that they only bloom late in the day and into the night. Their color is so beautiful. I must admit I’d not heard of them before. Terrific choice for the week.
Egidio Leitao
Tina, I used to walk that trail all the time. It was by chance I went there at the end of the afternoon and saw those blooms. Thanks for the comment.
Vicki
A beautiful and bold answer to Sophia’s challenge. Well done, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Vicki.
gederedita
beautiful
Egidio Leitao
Thank you.
JohnRH
Bold… so bold… … Pretty as a picture, Egidio. Well done. 👏👏
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, John.
Sofia Alves
It’s the opening late in the afternoon that I find fascinating 🙂 Love all your macros of this delightful, and bold, flower.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. Yes, I agree about the opening time. That explains why I had missed it so many other previous times.
Toonsarah
What a beautiful rich shade -bold indeed!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah.
Anne Sandler
This is definitely a BOLD flower, blooming at an odd time of day and season. Your photos are excellent and so is your interpretation of what this flower means in human terms. We can learn a lot from this beautiful flower. Thank you for the introduction!
Egidio Leitao
It makes a bold statement blooming that late in the day. Thanks for writing.
photobyjohnbo
Beautiful examples, Egidio! I would love to try focus stacking, but I never seem to have a tripod handy. >grin< Of course, that’s just an excuse to not try something different!
Egidio Leitao
John, I seldom carry a tripod. Since that was close to home, I brought it with me. I’m also not a fan of focus stacking. Thanks for the compliment.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Fabulous images Egídio and what a bold and beautiful flower! 🌺
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words, Xenia.
norasphotos4u
Gorgeous close up photos!!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Nora.
thesimlux
Beautiful flowers and photos! 💕
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the kind words.
Leanne Cole
Great find Egidio, love the colour, my favourite for flowers. Strange they open so late in the day. Our natives here tend to flower in winter because of drought and stuff. Beautiful.
Egidio Leitao
I agree with you about how odd it is the flower blooms late in the day. Interesting about your flowers, too. Thanks for the comment, Leanne.
solaner
Oh, some wonderful colors for a grey Februar morning. Thanks, Egídio 🙏
Egidio Leitao
Glad it brightened your day. Thanks for writing.
Anita
Lovely photos of the gorgeous Four O’Clock flowers with their bold color, which radiates vibrancy and draws the eye. Fits very well to this weeks theme Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for the feedback, Anita.
I. J. Khanewala
Beautiful series of photos. And a lovely quote from one of the boldest of poets
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much for your compliment. It’s appreciated.
restlessjo
Isn’t nature just extraordinary? These are such beautiful shots, Egidio xx
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Jo.
Rebecca Cuningham
I like a bold pink flower. Good capture.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much.
Yanaj *
“You can cut all the flowers, but you can’t keep spring from coming.” I love this quote. It gives so much hope. Together with the radiant flower, which shows perfection even in the smallest detail, it tells a story of resilience and boldness in spite of all potential challenges. A wonderful and inspiring post in picture and words, Egídio!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much for these kind words, Yanaj. That quote shows a lot of hope.