19 Responses

1. Ellen Zachos Says:
   April 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

   I’d recognize those pollinia anywhere! It’s got to be an Asclepiad of some kind…not as pink as the A. incarnata here in NE PA, not as purple as A. syriaca. But what a beauty! Now I’m going to look at your previous post so I can find out which milkweed this is. I want it.

   Ellen,
   I can’t believe I didn’t identify it. Guess my brain cells weren’t a coherent mass. It wasn’t swamp (incarnata), the fangs were growing in a parking lot strip and I’m pretty sure the plant was Common (syriaca)

   Hard to believe so many ungardeners consider them a weedy pest.

2. sharkbytes Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 12:59 am

   I am continually amazed by your photos! The Solidago is probably either canadensis or altissima, but the difference is the height of the tubes which can be so regional you really need both in hand at the same time to decide. I’m guessing the DNA testing will prove them to be the same thing.

   And the milkweed so close makes the petals look as if they were carved out of butter. Who could believe the common milkweed could look so luscious?

   You must have gotten a DSLR, yes?

   sharkbytes,
   Solidago is close enough for wiseacre work when there are so many and the differences so slight.

   No DSLR – but it was the best point and shoot (IMO) I could buy at the time.
   – Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 – 18x optical zoom (Leica lens), 10 mega pixels. (lens is more important than mega pixels)

3. Ratty Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 1:13 am

   Your entry is perfect, and my favorite by far. Your runners up are also very good. I love the touch me nots, but haven’t ever been able to find any. I like the others too, even though I’d stay away from them.

   Ratty,
   You’re biased because you know the pod people would be after you if you didn’t say that.

   Look for Jewelweed along water and wet holes. They won’t tolerate dry areas.

4. rainfield Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 1:32 am

   I believe I should have something similar to the Touch-Me-Not over here in Malaysia. They will “explode” and burst once I apply some pressure.

   Your pictures are great, all the while. They are my favorite.

   rainfield,
   I’ve wracked my brain trying to remember what and where I saw a purple variety from the far east. It made quite a stir a while back and now I just can’t remember.

5. Grammy Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 7:45 am

   All the photos are great. I love the angry wasp. That was an awesome capture.

   Grammy,
   …and no humans were harmed in the photographing of the pods although I was nervous.

6. Teresa O'Connor Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 8:10 am

   Great photos. Hope you win! Good luck. Teresa

   Teresa,
   Thanks. I should check the mail box, I may already a be a wiener.

7. Monica Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

   Love the photos and native plants in general! I am too muddled in all the things I still want to post about to find a photo for a contest… though looking over old photos is a good idea.

   Monica,
   I hear ya on being muddled with all the things I want to post. Now that the spring flush of flowers has begun I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up. The blog is mainly a way for me to document what, when and where things bloom.

8. Frances Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 4:12 pm

   Hi Wiseacre, what a great photo, I enjoyed playing a little catch up, including the original post that featured that shot. They are all so good, picking one must have been a chore. The wasp shot was amazing though, that is way too close for comfort and didn’t really feature the plant so much as the wildlife. You must be a contender!
   fFrances

   Frances,
   Yea, I wasn’t going to enter but was encouraged to do it just for the fun of it. You should enter – I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that would love to be introduced to your blog.

   Things in macro view are NOT closer than they look. That’s one good thing about my camera, I can take a macro shot using the zoom. I really won’t stick my face in front of an angry wasp.

9. betchai Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 10:41 pm

   wow, these macro shots really show something that we otherwise we would not see. they are really amazing.

   betchai,
   I’m glad you liked them. In a way they are proof you don’t need to be a pro to take good photos. If I can – anyone can. (you might have to buy a better camera though)

10. Town Mouse Says:
    April 19th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Very cool! I just started working with a macro lense, and I agree, it’s amazing what you’ll suddenly see.

    (My choice would have been the bur cucumber, btw ;->)

    Town Mouse,
    I really got hooked on macros after the fang photo so I guess that’s the second reason I picked it. The first was just to go back to the fun of the original post.

    The Bur Cucumber could have a chance to win. I don’t want to break my losing streak or I might ruin my luck.

11. Aiyana Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 3:37 am

    Your photos just keep getting better! I really think the goldenrod/bug photo is one of the best.
    Aiyana

    Aiyana,
    I only posted the good ones:)

12. Mr. McGregor's Daughter Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    I so agree with you about poor Solidago. I have 2 different varieties now and I wouldn’t want to be without them, even if they do tend to attract the wasps & hornets rather than butterflies.

13. ryan Says:
    April 20th, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    Great photos. I had no idea that was an asclepias.

    ryan,
    Thanks for not saying milkweed. We don’t want to give it away.

14. Joy Says:
    April 21st, 2009 at 7:29 am

    My favorite is the “Fangs” definitely !!
    I think that is the one I remember more vividly than the others .. must be the “fang” part that took hold of me ?? LOL
    Your pictures are awesome any day .. and I love the fact you let us take some for wallpaper .. you are a sweetie pie : )

    Joy,
    I think you would know for certain if the fangs got hold of you.

    …sweety is spelled COW on this side of the border.

15. lostlandscape(James) Says:
    April 22nd, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    I love the way the macros shots give you such a different experience of the world. I agree that the goldenrod has a bad rap. We have some at least one highland solidago that is gorgeous and doesn’t seem to cause an allergic reaction.

    James,
    Macros are great especially with tiny flowers that I couldn’t really see otherwise. It’s too bad goldenrod gets the blame ragweed deserves around here. And as far as being invasive – there are plenty of ‘tamed’ perennials more aggressive but still loved.

16. Lisa Says:
    April 24th, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    I bet you win!

    Lisa,
    How much are you willing to put down?

17. Saxon Holt Says:
    April 25th, 2009 at 11:42 pm

    Well the contest is done and results posted over at GGW early next week. Thanks for your entry and I am giving each photo bit of constructive criticism.
    Nicely composed macro and leading lines of stems draw attention to flowers. Photo would be stronger with a more distinct focal point, recomposed a bit and contest was looking for a photo in a garden setting

    Saxon Holt,
    I can take it,
    If a man learns from his mistakes then I must be the smartest man alive.

18. Barbara Says:
    April 28th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Fabulous pictures! I love the milkweed!!!!

    Barbara,
    There must be a little Monarch in your family Hope you flutter by again soon.

19. Picture This Photo Contest Winner - Gardening Gone Wild Says:
    September 18th, 2012 at 4:56 am

    [...] WiseAcre Gardens [...]

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