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Finding a Home


Finding a Home
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-03-14
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon 24-70 mm f 2,8 L-USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-03-17 8:43
Viewed: 4471
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I was in Cyprus until monday evening. I found this cyclamen growing in a crack in the Tombs of the Kings archaeological site. The rock is limestone and was cut around 2 - 2,500 years ago. The surface has been dissolved and pitted by rainwater in the time since. A natural joint in the limestone has been exploited by the cyclamen as a home - the inside of the rock, a few centimetres in would be much cooler and damper.

Cyclamen is a genus of 23 species of flowering plants, traditionally classified in the family Primulaceae, but in recent years reclassified in the family Myrsinaceae (Kallersjo et al. 2000). The genus is most widely known by its scientific name Cyclamen being taken into common usage; other names occasionally used include sowbread and sometimes, confusingly, Persian violet (it is not related to the violets), or primrose (neither is it a primrose).

Cyclamen are native to the Mediterranean region from Spain east to Iran, and also in Northeast Africa in areas such as Somalia. They are perennial herbaceous aestivating plants, with a surface or underground tuber (derived from the hypocotyl) 4-12 cm diameter, which produces leaves in late winter, and flowers in the autumn; the leaves die down during the hottest part of the Mediterranean summer drought to conserve water. Each leaf or flower grows on its own stem, which shoots up from the hypocotyl. The variegation is thought by some botanists to be a form of natural disruptive camouflage to reduce grazing damage by animals.

I think this is Cyclamen Persicum - perhaps someone can confirm this?

Cyclamen persicum is the parent species of the florists Cyclamen, however, the description which follows is concerned with the natural species as found in the wild.

The flowers are generally white (sometimes a soft pink, or with a pink flush) with a deep pink or crimson-magenta zone at the base of each petal, however there is an albino form, which is found in the east of its range, and a form with deeper pink or almost cerise flowers is found in two populations on the island of Karpathos. The petals vary between 20-37mm (0.8 - 1.5 inches) long and 10-18mm (0.4 - 0.75 inches) wide.

The flowers appear between December and early May, but there is a single population near Jericho, Israel/Palestine where the plants flower in the autumn. Genetic material from this population was introduced into cultivation by the Cyclamen Society's 1990 expedition to Israel.
Luis52, xTauruSx, siggi, marianas, Dis. Ac., zulfu, boreocypriensis, maurydv, rousettus, Alex99, Heaven, MMM, Miss_Piggy, CeltickRanger, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2010-03-17 9:04]

Hola Jose.
It is amazing to see how some times plants grapple to life in hostile coditions like this time, and I dont know for the others, but for me Your photo has this message.
I wish Bob Shannon could see this lovely photo and keep fighting for His live.
Best regards, Take care My friend.
Luis52.

A fine close up of a delicate Cyclamen James, the soft contours of the plant were nicely balanced by the rough, weathered surface of limestone under good, all around illumination. TFS indeed my friend!
Mehmet

Hello James, lovely shot of this cyclamen on a rock in a wonderful composition.
TFS and regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2010-03-17 11:10]

Hello James.
Beautifull cyclamen,very nice point of view and light position,my compliments for this very good work.Best regards Siggi

James
Great this lovely cyclamen.
Colors are beautiful.
Very good details.
I like the rocky place were this flower grow!
Mariana

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2010-03-17 13:11]

Hello James,
Very beautiful photo of this Cyclamen in fantastic contrasting colours. The limestone BG is amazing. Good sharpness and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hi James,

an good picture from this wildflower that grows in the Nethrlands in the housechamber.
Fine olours with good pov.

Gert

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2010-03-17 14:21]

Hi James,very nice composition in "oatman" style,a perfect pic,sharpness and colors at the top of quality,my best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano.

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2010-03-17 14:49]

Hello James, superb close-up shot of a cyclamen growing interestingly on a rock with excellent details.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Hi Bro James,

Awesome capture of a beautiful Cyclamen from wonderful POV, with nice focus, exposure and delightful composition.
TFS and have a nice night!
Cheers,

Bayram

great capture, indeed C. persicum, TFS Ori

Hello James,
a wonderful picture of Cyclamen persicum, superb sharpness and bright colours, excellent POV and composition
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

hello James
nice to see you here again and know you were in Cyprus, very near hear. welcome. I invite you to Turkiye. welcome for everytime.
your post from Cyprus great. you nicely presented this beautiful cyclamen species in rock crevice. sharp focus, POV and compostion great as like coloration and exposure. thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2010-03-17 21:17]

Hi James.
Refine reproduction of the charming plant and very attractive scene at whole. All is superb: crisp sharp details of all scene, brilliant composition. Lovely colours and lights. Bravo.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 123 N: 2341] (7912)
  • [2010-03-17 23:15]

Dear James!

Your title suits this superb picture very well. As a mountaineer I often find myself asking how some plants can survive in their harsh and difficult environment. Your picture reflects this at best. Moreover, the flower is beautiful and the picture is so pleasant because of its simplicity.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2010-03-18 6:27]

Hi James
Nice closed up and well composed image.It is amasing to se that beauty poping out of the massive stone.Great natural colors also
TFS Michel

Hallo James
What a display of basic beauty and how beautiful have you capture it. The rouch texture of the rock as background is wonderful and highlight the petite detail of the flower to its best. The 3 colours of pink in the flower and the patterns on the leave is very striking and lovely to look at. The wilted flower rounds of this already special image to its best. Thanks for sharing and thanks as well for the interesting note. Best regards.
Anna

hello James

beautifully composed flower photo, fine POV, fine focus
sharpness and details, the charm of the photo being
the flower alone with 3 leafs, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2010-03-28 3:01]

Hi James,
the flower shines beautifully and the texture by the rock works excellently to add a lovely background. You have seen every opportunity to make a good outstnading shot.
Congratulations.

regards,
Foozi

Bonjour James,
Très belle présentation du sujet dans un environnement pour le moins original.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

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