Sunday, May 17, 2009

Tulip Wonder


I took this photo in my Mom's front yard. This is the first year she has tulips in her front yard and they produced quite the show. Tulips actually originated in Turkey and Persia. The word, 'tulip' means turban. Their popularity spread throughout Europe in the 17th century. Everywhere I travel I think of tulips as an expression of gratitude since the Netherlands send tulips to various Allies as a gesture of appreciation. Come to think of it, I think I have seen more tulips outside of the Netherlands than within that country.

4 comments:

ms toast burner said...

Ooooo, I love how the light is coming through those petals. Beautiful.

Kathreen said...

The effect was surprising to me too since the light was quite harsh beyond the shade of the tree.

V Yonkers said...

I live in a former "Dutch Colony" (Albany NY is celebrating it's 400th birthday of it's discovery by the Dutch). The first week of May is the Tulip festival in which girls dress up in traditional outfits and wash State Street, the main street outside of the capital building. The tricky part is the timing of the blooms. Over the years, city gardeners have learned to plant different varieties so there will be blooms for the tulip fest. Last year the blooms peaked two weeks earlier than normal and there was an either of the flowers with blooms still on them.

In the Netherlands, you need to hit the countryside at just the right time and believe me, it is spectacular!

Kathreen said...

What a wonderful tradition in Albany. Isn't it interesting how the first sight of blossoms are significant for so many cultures? I hope to return to the Netherlands and I will wander more of the countryside.