Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Commonplace Beauty





I think it's one of the fundamental truths of natural history that you can find beauty in all living organisms - even a commonplace dock Rumex sp. plant like this - if you look a little closer. The ripe seeds are attractive to look at and also favourite food of bullfinches in autumn.






























Add a cobweb and some early morning sunlight and a whole dock plant becomes attractive.


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15 comments:

  1. ADRIANSeptember 25, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    I'll have a closer look. Thanks.

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  2. The Sceptical BotanistSeptember 25, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    Have thought the same about Rumex myself!

    BTW, visiting Durham soon. Will you be around on 20 November? I'm giving talk at university and hopefully visiting botanic garden with Mike Hughes and Brian Whitton (not sure if Mike knows yet...).

    Tim Entwisle

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  3. PhilSeptember 25, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    Hi Adrian, two of my favourite autumn colours in the paintbox: yellow ochre (ripening corn) and burnt umber (dock seeds)....

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  4. PhilSeptember 25, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Hi Tim, will be around on 20th. November ... maybe join you, Brian and Mike in the BG?

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  5. Richard PeglerSeptember 25, 2012 at 6:22 PM

    Yes, you've opened my eyes again Phil! Thank you.

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  6. AndreaSeptember 26, 2012 at 2:20 AM

    Hi Phil, that first one looks unnatural to me, like a copper plated decor inside an expensive mall. I hope that gets in as a compliment. It's because we don't have it here, but you showed a splendid specimen.

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  7. PhilSeptember 26, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    Hi Andrea, I think that describes the colour perfectly!

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  8. lotusleafSeptember 26, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    Hi Phil, the first one is not common for us, and it looks beautiful.
    It was interesting to read about the mother of pearl. Craftsmen still make beautiful inlay work objects using it here.

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    I can't recall when I last saw Dock or Nettle...
    It's a beautiful thing.

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  10. PhilSeptember 26, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    Hi lotusleaf, I remember seeing iridescent capiz shell ornaments when I was in the Philippines ....

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  11. PhilSeptember 26, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    Hi toffeeapple, I recall once seeing a field of yellow ragwort and burnt umber docks that looked stunning.....

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  12. The Sceptical BotanistSeptember 26, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    Thanks Phil, let's try and do that.

    I can't remember if you are on Twitter or if so can you send message to @timentwisle and we'll exchange emails.

    Thanks! Tim

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  13. Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax!September 26, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. It also looks like seaweed.

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  14. PhilSeptember 27, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    Hi Richard, thank you ....!

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  15. PhilSeptember 27, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    See what you mean about the seaweed Lucy...

    ReplyDelete

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