Donna Young's Blog: Dandelion

Dandelion

Donna Young @ 7 April 2008
Filed in Categories: Flowers Backyard

http://donnayoung.org

Today I had flowers on my mind. If my digital camera worked with batteries, this post would have looked different. I would have posted a few images of the wild flowers, aka, weeds that are blooming in my yard. I collected a few flowers to press.

I did not press any dandelions. Dandelions are usually the weed/flower that I would prefer not to have in my yard. At the same, the herbalist-wannabe in me wants to keep them, but in a place all to themselves. hahaha :roll:

I do not think dandelions can be confined.

I wanted to see the dandelion up close and so I walked out my back door and selected one that was just a foot away from the porch. There is a nice selection of them in our yard, but I wasn't going to look for the best specimen. I did have to walk a few more feet to get one in the seed stage. So I brought them inside to scan them.

Some of the images are large and those will be linked with a smaller image. I hope you enjoy seeing the dandelion up close. Each image will tell at what percentage that I set the scanner.

The first one shows the toothy tips of the petals.

dandelion petals scanned 1600%

The next scanned photograph shows a close up image of the middle of the dandelion. I do not know what the purple, blue dotted disk is that is shown with the flower. There are a whole lot of things growing in my yard. To my husband's chagrin, our yard is exceedingly natural (full of weeds and bugs).

dandelion at 3000%

The next three scanned images are linked and please click on the thumbnail images to see them. They really are too large to post here. Each image shows a different stage of dandelion seed development and each dandelion is cut in half.

The first one is at the stage after blooming. The flower is closed with a yellow top.

Closed Dandelion with Yellow Top - early ripening stage

. . .

Stage two: The dandelion bloom is closed with a white top.

Closed Dandelion with White Top - late ripening stage

. . .

Stage three: The dandelion seeds are ripe.

. . .

Lastly, I have two very large images to show you. The two images are too large to link to a page. (two, too, and to in one sentence) :smarty:

The images will open in your browser.

The first one shows a dandelion bloom that I cut in half and scanned. The larger version of the image is 398K. The second one is a ripe dandelion and that larger version is a whopping 1.1M. If you are on dial-up, consider skipping the second one.

Flowers, Backyard

Click Here to Leave a Comment

MichielleRose · Apr 7, 09:37 AM · #

Good Morning,

I love dandelions!!! even if they are weeds!!!! I have since I was a little girl and that has yet to change. I wonder if we will have them in my yard? it is too cold up here yet to tell.
Sheri · Apr 7, 02:01 PM · #

I like the little sunny yellow spots in my yard. I really should harvest some for our salad bowl.

Love your pictures, Donna.
Elaine · Apr 7, 03:12 PM · #

Those are great pictures.

I am wondering how you keep your scanner clean after having flowers on it?
Donna Young · Apr 7, 04:03 PM · #

Elaine, I wipe the scanner bed with either a dry cloth or a slightly damp cloth.
Appliejuice · Apr 16, 09:51 PM · #

I like those photos. :)
Donna Young · Apr 17, 02:00 AM · #

Thank you Applie. Your other comment about these pictures is with the stage two image.
Robin · Apr 20, 03:17 AM · #

Hi Miss Donna! I am enjoying your photos- very fascinating! I lovvve close-ups photos of flowers. They are so amazing, all the intricate details in every single bloom.

My I put a link like Applie has on her blog, on mine, please? You have a vast and wonderful resource here that I would love for others to have the opportunity to use. Have a wonderful Sunday, Robin
Donna Young · Apr 20, 12:35 PM · #

Hi Robin it is good to see you. :)

Yes, you can put the link in. Those links are at this page http://donnayoung.org/faqs/link-to-dy.htm

I hope you have a lovely day!